Photo courtesy of freerangephotos.com

Since our country’s inception, black women have been instrumental in shaping the law of the land. They overcame racial and gender barriers to become lawyers and judges, while using their influence to enact laws for the greater good of society. One legal eagle – a former slave – never went to law school, but possessed the innate ability to present oral arguments before the Supreme Court. These trailblazers reshaped the legal landscape in their pursuit of liberty and justice for all.

Charlotte Ray

Charlotte Ray has the distinction of being the first black female lawyer in the United States. In 1869, she applied for admission to Howard University’s Law School under the name “C.E. Ray” since the university discouraged women from applying to law school.  When Ray graduated from Howard in 1872 with a degree in commercial law, she was the first black woman – and only the third female in the United States – to receive a law degree. That same year, she also became the first woman admitted to the bar in the District of Columbia.

The future of Will and Jada’s 14-year marriage is not looking good. Amidst rumors from those closest to the couple that a separation was definitely coming, In Touch Weekly has reported that the two recently met with lawyer Laura Wasser—a high-powered celebrity divorce attorney who has represented Britney Spears, Maria Shriver, and Kim Kardashian in the past.

A source told the magazine that Jada has “finally begun to take steps to dissolve their marriage,” even reportedly turning down a role in Keanu Reeves directorial debut to spend time with her kids during this “difficult time.”

When we mentioned the recent rise in divorce rumors in December, a source close to Will and Jada said a fight over the couple’s $520 million estate was inevitable. Over the weekend, the supposedly estranged couple sold their vacation home in Hawaii for $20 million. This move could’ve just been a way to turn over a quick profit since they only bought the home for $13.5 million in 2009, or it could signify what we all hope is not the case—the end.

The direction of Jaden and Willow Smith’s careers are supposedly at the root of the divorce, which means the split could be especially hard on their young kids.

Do you think these details about Will and Jada signify the end?

Brande Victorian is a blogger and culture writer in New York City. Follower her on Twitter at @be_vic.

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Security guards in a Washington, DC DMV picked the wrong mother to mess with this week. When Simone dos Santos was breastfeeding her 4-month-old in a hallway, two female security guards asked her to stop because it was indecent. What they didn’t know was dos Santos is an attorney, and she wasn’t about to take their “indecent exposure” claim at face value.

“I called my law firm to ask for pro bono assistance and an associate who could immediately research whether there was a law regarding breastfeeding in public,” dos Santos wrote in a blog for the Washington Post. “I wanted to get the name of all of the guards involved, and finally got a name and number of a supervisor before I was called into the room for the hearing on the parking ticket.”

dos Santos added that she’s since learned that the guards were wrong and had no right to stop her from breastfeeding her son. Citing the “Child’s Right to Nurse Human Rights Amendment Act of 2007, she said the law allows women to breastfeed in any location she has a right to be with her child—-public or private.

Stories like these aren’t uncommon. Last year, ABC did a little undercover experiment to gauge people’s reaction to mothers breastfeeding in public. Most people didn’t approve, but approval and rights are two separate things.

Are you bothered by women breastfeeding in public? Have you ever been asked or asked someone else to stop breastfeeding when you were out?

Brande Victorian is a blogger and culture writer in New York City. Follower her on Twitter at @be_vic.

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Dear Felicia,

I am a professional makeup artist and I just started my own online cosmetics company. I would like to know if I need to register with the federal government, in addition to registering with the Secretary of State for my trademarks.  I am concerned about my logo, slogan, catch phrase and my company name. Also, can you recommend an inexpensive lawyer and accountant in my local area?

Eric D.

Los Angeles, CA

via e-mail

Dear Eric,

Congratulations on transforming your business into a product and service company with the launch of your cosmetics line.  That’s a very important step because one of the secrets to long term business success is residual or royalty income.  That’s income you earn by doing work one time (in your case, developing the cosmetics line) and getting paid on it infinitely. High five!

As far as registering your logo, slogan and company name as trademarks–yes, you should definitely protect your unique brand property after you have used it in commerce for at least six months and know for sure that you want to stick with what you have.  Entrepreneurs often tweak and change their logo, slogan and other brand elements in the early days of business because you’re growing into your new creation and you may also get constructive feedback from others that inspires you to adjust.  Don’t worry too much about this because you can always get new trademarks later if you need to. But, at $275 or more, to register a federal trademark, changing your mind can add up.  It’s much better to carefully and strategically think through your brand upfront to be sure it conveys what you intend and you really like what you have.

You can register your trademark with your Secretary of State, as you mentioned. But in California, it costs from $70 to $100 to register a mark.  Since registering with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office starts at $275 — and gives you national protection — you should pursue a federal trademark if you can.  Also, note that each element you mentioned — the logo, slogan and company name — will all have to be separate trademarks unless the “specimen” (a visual representation of what you want to trademark) includes all of those together in one design. Also,  if you submit one design, then only that complete mark is protected, not the individual elements.

I’m glad you asked about an attorney and accountant.  That means you are taking your business seriously.  I don’t have specific people to recommend, but be sure that the attorney and accountant you eventually work with have professional credentials.  You can search the State Bar of California database to make sure your attorney is in good standing and check the California Board of Accountancy database regarding the status of any accountant with whom you are planning to work with.  Since you need someone who will work with you on a modest budget, ask a few local business owners about who their attorneys and accountants are and do your homework on potential candidates before getting started.

Note: All advice offered in this column is for general information only.  Felicia Joy and The Atlanta Post are indemnified against any and all related claims.  Always seek the advice of licensed professionals before making business decisions.

Felicia Joy is a nationally recognized entrepreneur who created $50 million in value for the various organizations and companies she served in corporate America before launching her business enterprise.  She is often called on to discuss the ins and outs of entrepreneurial success and has appeared on CNN, FOX and in other national press.  Felicia operates Ms. CEO Inc., a company that helps women entrepreneurs achieve more success, faster — as well as Joy Group International, LLC, a business development and consulting firm. Send her your questions at ask@feliciajoy.biz or www.twitter.com/feliciajoy.