Black women have always been the backbone of our communities, but in Houston’s legal arena, they are increasingly becoming the architects of justice, innovation, and accountability. This month’s Defender Game Changers spotlights the attorneys who aren’t just practicing law—they’re transforming it.
Despite entering courtrooms and conference rooms where they’ve often been the only Black woman in sight, these leaders carved out space, shifted the culture, and demanded that the law work for everyone. They’ve broken through predominantly white, male legal circles, led precedent-setting cases, reshaped policy, defended immigrant families, protected children, and opened their own firms rooted in equity and community.
Their presence builds trust. Their visibility expands possibilities. And their impact is creating a clearer, more just path for the Black girls watching from the gallery, imagining their own futures in law.
Meet the four women changing the game.
Ronique Robinson – The Advocate for the Vulnerable
A seasoned family law attorney with a commanding courtroom presence and a deeply compassionate approach, Ronique Bastine Robinson has become one of Houston’s most trusted advocates for families, children, and survivors of domestic violence.
As the founder and managing attorney of Bastine Law Group, Robinson leads a practice known for its client-centered representation in complex family law matters, including divorce, custody, property division, and emerging issues such as gestational agreements and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) considerations for student-athletes. Board-certified in Family Law, she brings more than three decades of experience to cases where the emotional and legal stakes are at their highest.
Robinson built her career by rejecting the detached style often expected in courtrooms, choosing instead to lead with empathy, cultural competence, and unwavering advocacy—particularly in high-conflict custody cases where the well-being of Black children is at risk.
Beyond litigation, she is a respected educator, former municipal judge, and mentor to aspiring Black women attorneys, using her platform to champion trauma-informed legal practices and a more humane approach to family law.
Words of Wisdom:
“Find your passion in how to use the law to shape the lives of those you will represent. And find a mentor you respect and admire who will support you on your journey.”
Teresa Hudson – The Employment Law Power Broker
In a legal field where Black women remain drastically underrepresented, Teresa Hudson has carved out a powerful presence as an employment and labor law attorney and trusted advisor to some of Houston’s most influential institutions.
Now a unanimously elected partner at Munck Wilson Mandala, Hudson brings deep expertise at the intersection of law, workforce strategy, and compliance. Drawing on her background as a senior HR executive and strategic partner, she advises Fortune 500 companies, Tier 1 institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations on compensation, employee relations, leadership training, and regulatory compliance—often shaping decisions with multimillion-dollar implications.
Breaking into boardrooms historically dominated by white male executives required grit, brilliance, and relentless preparation. Hudson mastered the complexities of employment law and risk management, representing employers before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the U.S. Department of Labor, and the Texas Workforce Commission in cases involving discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. Her work helps organizations navigate legal challenges while building healthier, more equitable workplaces.
Beyond her legal practice, Hudson is intentional about leadership and service. She credits her success to showing up fully in professional and civic spaces—not just joining organizations, but actively working within them. “I had to continue to develop genuine relationships, not just for what you can gain from them, but what can I give,” Hudson said. “I had to learn how to advocate for myself, and once I figured that out, it became easier to be a better leader—but also a supportive follower. Basically, I had to learn to get out of my own way.”
Words of Wisdom:
“The advice I provide to Black women aspiring to become attorneys is simply three notes:
Network and Mentorship opportunities with those who do not look like you is just as important and developing relationships with those who do. Do not limit your interactions based upon what seems easy; Continue to learn by seeking advice and accepting constructive criticism. Discernment is critical to a successful legal career; and Trust yourself and your abilities will build confidence and resilience in a world not designed for women or for Black women specifically. Your presence in the law matters greatly, and remember someone is always watching, whether it be peers, colleagues, bosses, friends, or others aspiring to achieve and emulate you.
Sadiyah Karriem – Warrior for justice, faith & community
Attorney Sadiyah Karriem—also known to some as Sadiyah Evangelista—is more than a lawyer. She is a fighter, a faith-rooted community advocate, a champion for the mistreated, and a spiritual warrior devoted to standing in the gap for those who cannot stand for themselves.
Her entry into law was born from deeply personal pain. After surviving abuse as a child and navigating the foster care and court systems, Karriem had an epiphany on the witness stand: she wanted to help those who could not help themselves. By fifth grade, she was already presiding over a mock trial in the very courtroom where her destiny took shape.
Her advocacy extends far beyond litigation. Inspired by Minister Louis Farrakhan’s “Save Our Girls,” Karriem co-founded Queendom Come, Inc., an organization devoted to empowering women and girls through healing, mentorship, and spiritual grounding. For 20 years, she has also served in the Nation of Islam’s ministry class under the guidance of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan and Dr. Abdul Haleem Muhammad.
Karriem has stood on the frontlines of some of Houston’s most heartbreaking cases—including the killing of Roderick Brooks, a case that reminds her of the decades-long fight against injustice. Yet she also carries the victories: dismissals, second chances, and the restored futures of young Black men who were written off before their stories were fully heard.
“There are disparities we face in every arena. But I don’t let it stop me. That’s why I created organizations like Queendom Come, Inc. We go into communities and feed women and girls—not just their bodies, but their spirits, minds and emotions. Because I know what it means to go without.”
Know a Game Changer that should be featured? Email us at Reshonda@defendernetwork.com.
