Jo Anne C. Woodson-Branche, Esq.

   In 1990 Jo Ann C. Woodson-Branche was the first

   African American lawyer to courageously run as a

   challenger for a Howard County Circuit Court

   judgeship to diversify the Howard County bench.

   Although her candidacy was unsuccessful and met

   with strong opposition from the local bar, it opened the

   door for the first time to frank and purposeful

   community discussions concerning the lack of racial

   and gender judicial diversity on the Howard County

   Bench.

   In 1993 Woodson - Branche opened a private practice

   in Howard County and was the first African American

   Howard  County lawyer to file a class action lawsuit

   against a governmental agency.

   Woodson - Branche currently serves as Trial Board

Law  Counsel for the Baltimore City Police Department.