LEST WE FORGET, LLC
D/B/A SOJOURNERS TRAILS
WASHINGTON, DC 20002
(202) 544-0904
DEVARIESTE CURRY E-MAIL: dcurry@sojotrails.com
PROFILE
An award-winning public interest contributor and community service program manager; a
highly skilled writer; a dynamic speaker; and an experienced mediator, negotiator, and
motivator who uses the skills and knowledge gained from practicing corporate law for over 30
years and mediating disputes (retired in 02/2020 as an n AV Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated
attorney) to help individuals and organizations move from surviving to thriving, and to help
individuals and institutions resolve disputes in a way to preserve relationships:
As an award-winning public interest contributor and community service program manager, I
have initiated, planned, and directed highly successful fund-raising, professional development,
public awareness, and educational events for several organizations. I interface with national and
local political leaders and their staff and political and social activists to achieve common
objectives. I lead efforts to increase voter education/registration; to educate the African American
community on environmental justice, workplace, and economic issues; to improve educational
standards within the African American community; to improve access to higher education for
African Americans; and to mobilize nationwide grass roots efforts.
I continue to mentor students (from high school to law school), which I have done since 1989.
I have worked for decades to advance the interests and sustainability of Historically Black Colleges and
Universities (“HBCUs) by serving as a leader of the Stillman College Alumni Association, by serving on
the Stillman College Board of Trustees, and by galvanizing support for other HBCUs.
As a skilled writer; a dynamic speaker; and an experienced mediator, negotiator, and motivator,
I have a record of, and a passion for, bringing diverse parties together; building consensus; and
empowering and encouraging others to achieve maximum results. I have taught continuing legal
education courses on ethics and litigation issues for the District of Columbia Bar and ALI-ABA
and have served on and/or moderated panel discussions for the American Bar Association and
before various corporate entities. I have conceived and organized panel discussions and
presentations on how African Americans can excel, individually and collectively.

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PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Lest We Forget, LLC, d/b/a Sojourners Trails, Founding and Managing Member, 03/17 –
Present. Objective: To help individuals and organizations move from surviving to thriving.
Services offered:
Consult with individuals and organizations on how to make ethical decisions and how ethical
decisions contribute to success. Consult with individuals on how to navigate corporate settings;
how to negotiate compensation packages; the importance of documenting and how to document,
job performance; how to detect harmful and one-sided language in employment agreements and
other contracts; the value of strategic alliances; and how to fly above the storm and recover from
disappointments and deferred dreams. Consult with families and organizations on strategic
partnerships; on documenting family (or organizational, as appropriate) history and legacy
(including helping to write obituaries in a manner to preserve history); for African Americans in
particular, offer strategies on using the strong African American history to help achieve
sustainability; consult with individuals and organizations on how to make ethical decisions
The Curry Law Firm, PLLC, Founding and Managing Member, 09/01/16 – 02/2020; McLeod,
Watkinson & Miller, Partner, 10/06 – 08/31/16; The Curry Law Firm, PLLC, Sole Proprietor,
12/03 – 09/06; Curry & Wilbourn, PLLP, Founding Partner, 09/97 – 11/03; Law Office of
Devarieste Curry, Sole Proprietor, 04/97 – 09/97. Selected accomplishments and
responsibilities:
Served as National Legal Advisor (general counsel) to Delta Sigma Theta Sorority,
Incorporated, a national not-for-profit service organization, from 2004 to 2017. Provided advice
and counsel and representation on a range of issues; responsibilities included, among others,
managing litigation and local (outside) counsel; negotiating commercial and entertainment
contracts and memoranda of understanding; drafting a full range of corporate documents;
consulting and advising on employment and human resources issues, including negotiating
settlements in employment disputes; drafting ethical guidelines and conflict of interest policy for
a 40-member Board; counseling on strategic partnerships; and conducting internal investigations
Conducted internal investigations for corporate and non-profit clients
Supervised junior attorneys, paralegals, and other staff as a partner at McLeod, Watkinson &
Miller; managed office and staff for Curry Law and Curry & Wilbourn
Beveridge & Diamond, P.C., 1987 – 04/97, Partner (1993-04/97), Associate (1987-1993), Chair,
Recruiting Committee (1995-1996) and member two other years. Selected accomplishments:
Served as lead counsel and co-lead counsel in multi-million-dollar jury trials in complex, multiparty litigation, handling all aspects of the cases, including directing defense strategy and expert
witness/jury selection and supervising junior attorneys and other staff
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Served as co-lead counsel in civil rights case (strip search) at trial level; prepared all briefs for
appeal, and en banc appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit; argued
appeal and en banc appeal; and assumed lead in preparing Petition for Writ of Certiorari to the
United States Supreme Court
Howrey & Simon, 1985 – 1987, Associate (Member, Recruiting Committee); The Honorable
Judith W. Rogers, District of Columbia Court of Appeals, 1984 – 1985, Law Clerk; Cole,
Raywid, & Braverman, 1983-1984, Law Clerk; Office of Hearings and Appeals, Social
Security Administration, Arlington, Virginia, 1975–1983; Senior Hearings and Appeals
Analyst, (full-time 1975-1983), Equal Employment Opportunity Counselor (part-time 1976-
1980); Bureau of Disability Insurance, Social Security Administration, Baltimore, Maryland,
1971 – 1975, Social Insurance Claims Examiner
SELECTED PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
District of Columbia Bar, Vice Chair, Legal Ethics Committee, 07/09 – 07/11; Chair, Practice
Management Service Committee, 07/04 – 06/05 (Best Bar Committee Award, 06/05); Member,
Disciplinary System Study Committee, 2003 — 2006; Judicial Evaluation Committee, 2001–2006;
Member – Board of Governors, 07/95 – 06/00, assigned to: Screening Committee (Chair, 1998-
99), Budget Committee, Executive Committee, and Steering Committee on Summit on Women in
the Law; Member, Litigation Section Steering Committee, 1994-1995, Co-Chair Six-Program Series on
Litigation Pretrial Skills, February 1995; Proposed and assumed primary responsibility for organizing a
forum for 1996 Winter Convention on The Role of Lawyers in Healing the Racial Divide
United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, Member, Advisory Committee
on Admissions and Grievances, 09/08 – 06/14; Voting Delegate, Biennial Judicial Conferences for
over 10 years
District of Columbia Court of Appeals, Member, Committee on Arrangements for the Judicial
Conference of the District of Columbia for the three Annual Conferences
American Bar Association, Member – Commission on Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the
Profession, 07/09 – 02/12; Co-Chair – Wrongful Discharge and Employment at Will Sub-
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Committee, Employment and Labor Relations Law Committee, Litigation Section, 08/02 – 07/04;
testified before ABA Commission on Women in the Profession at ABA Annual Convention, 08/03
Women’s Bar Association of D. C., Co-Chair –Diversity Task Force, 1997-98; Co-Chair –
Annual Dinner, 1997-98
National Bar Association – Member, 1989-2008; CLE presenter numerous times at annual
meetings and at Commercial Law Section’s Annual Corporate Counsel Conferences
Greater Washington Area Chapter, Women Lawyers Division, National Bar Association,
Member – Board of Directors, 1991-1994; Chair – Membership Committee, 1992-1993; Chair –
Law Firm/Corporate Counsel Ad Hoc Committee, 1991-1992
Georgetown University, Member, African American Advisory Board (Appointed by University
President), 09/00 – 2004; Member, Board of Governors, 1996 – 2002; Member, National Law
Alumni Board of Georgetown University Law Center, 1992-1998 (Secretary, 1994 to 03/97)
SELECTED COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND PUBLIC SERVICE
Stillman College, Member, Board of Trustees, 03/17 – present; Chair, Membership Committee,
2018- 2022. Member, Board of Directors, National Alumni Association, 1992-1996, Chair,
Chapter Development Committee; Organizer and President, D.C. Area Chapter, Stillman College
Alumni Association, 1987-1992; Chair – Benefit Concert Committee, 1987-1995, successfully
sponsored biennial benefit concerts featuring classically trained singers and musicians, which
resulted in increasing fundraising for the college exponentially and increasing the college’s and
alumni’s profiles in the metropolitan District of Columbia area
As a result of my work on the Board of Trustees and my unwavering commitment to advancing
the cause of Stillman and its students, the Chairman Emeritus, with the approval of the College,
recently funded the Devarieste Curry Impact Award, which will be presented annually to a female
graduate who exemplifies high academic standards, discipline, and determination and is
committed to improving herself and her community.
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Washington, D.C., National Capital Presbytery, Member –
Permanent Judicial Commission (06/10 – 2016); Ordained Elder (Ruling Elder, 1988-1991);
Sargent Memorial Presbyterian Church, Washington, D.C. Active Member; Member,
Centennial Planning Committee, 2008, responsible for drafting historical and commemorative
resolutions and provided pro bono legal assistance; Alternative Presenter for children’s sermon;
Sunday School Teacher – high school students
District of Columbia Board of Elections, Member, 01/12 – 03/15, Sworn in by the Mayor of the
District of Columbia in December 2011 for a three-year term
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Us Helping Us, People Into Living, Inc., Provided pro bono services to local AIDS advocacy
organization, 1998 – July 2009
National Opera Association, Chair, GALA Dinner and Reception, 48th National Convention in
2003 celebrating the centennial birth of Todd Duncan; Chair, GALA Dinner, National Convention
in 1995 celebrating the Golden Anniversary of African Americans in the Mainstream of Opera,
Chair, DC Committee of the Legacy Fund, 2004 – 2007
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (a public service organization), Member, Executive Board
(Board of Directors), 08/96 – 07/00, Acted with other Board members to set the overall policy and
focus of the organization; to maintain oversight of the financial affairs of the organization; to
determine strategic alliances; and to implement programs consistent with programmatic thrust of
the organization; Co-Chair – Social Action Commission, 08/96 – 07/00: – led efforts in planning
and organizing highly successful annual, national legislative three-day training conference in the
Nation’s Capital (increased number of participants from approximately 200 to almost 700) on a
wide variety of social and social justice issues
EDUCATION
Georgetown University Law Center, J.D., 1984, Research Editor, AMERICAN CRIMINAL LAW
REVIEW, 1983-1984; Member, National Administrative Law Moot Court Team, 1981-1982;
Finalist, Georgetown University National Moot Court Competition, (1981); Associate, Appellate
Litigation Clinic (Briefed and Argued Section 1983 case before United States Court of Appeals
for the Fourth Circuit, 1983-1984
Stillman College, 1971, B.A., Sociology, Magna Cum Laude, President, Alpha Kappa Mu
National Honor Society; Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges & Universities, 1969-
1971; Member, Gamma Iota Sigma Honor Society; Recipient, Citizenship Award, 1971
SELECTED HONORS AND AWARDS
Stillman College, Awarded Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters, April 2022
Georgetown University Law Center, Paul R. Dean Alumni Award, for service to Georgetown
and the legal profession, October 2019
WHO’S WHO IN BLACK WASHINGTON, Second Edition, published September 2010, Profiled as
one of 16 Women of Excellence
Georgetown University Law Center, Alumni Award, for service to Georgetown and the legal
profession, 2004
Women’s Bar Association of DC, Stars of the Bar Recognition, 2004
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National Opera Association, Excellence in Opera Award for pro bono legal assistance, 1999
NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc., Pro Bono Equal Rights Award, 1994
Stillman College, Distinguished Alumni Award, 1990
American Bar Foundation, Elected Fellow
National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education, Distinguished Alumni
Citation of the Year, 1988
SELECTED PROFESSIONAL PUBLICATIONS
Ethics and Litigation: Ignore Professional Rules of Conduct at Your Own Peril, 5 THE
COMMERCIAL LAW CONNECTOR, 1, Spring 2008 (National Bar Association Publication)
How to Use Trial Experts Effectively: The Opponent’s Expert, 15 THE PRACTICAL LITIGATOR
(ALI/ABA), July 2004, at 17
Ethical and Practical Considerations in Client Selection, 18 THE WASH. LAWYER 33, Nov. 2003
The Double Burden of African American Women Lawyers, THE JUDGES’ JOURNAL, Spring 2000,
at 8, 10
TWICE PROFILED in THE WASHINGTON LAWYER (D.C. Bar Publication)
QUOTED in THE WASHINGTON POST; THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER; THE COMMERCIAL APPEAL
(Memphis)
SELECTED PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATIONS
Presenter, Stillman College Board of Trustees, Fulfilling Your Board Fiduciary Duties, Spring
2000; Fall 2019
Organizer and Presenter, Stillman College Pre-Law Workshop, Strategies for Excelling in Law
School, 09/2020
Panelist, Georgetown University Law Center, Women’s Legal Alliance, Strategies for Excelling
in the Legal Profession, 10/18/19
Keynoter Speaker, Roanoke, VA Chapter of the SCLC (Dr. King’s Birthday Celebration), The
Struggle Continues, 01/12/18
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Presenter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Executive Board Training, Non-Profit Board Governance:
Implementing Your Fiduciary Duty, 09/28/14
Presenter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Regional Officers’ Training, Understanding the Legal
Ramifications of Your Everyday Decisions, 08/23/13 and 09/13/14
Speaker, Ceremony for New Admittees to U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, What
It Means to be a Member of This Bar, Judge Robert L. Wilkins Presiding, 12/05/11
Presenter, GE — Delta Sigma Theta Leadership Conference, Preparing for Success: Make Ethics
Your Constant Companion, 11/15/12 (via Webinar), 10/16/10, 10/24/09, and 10/11/08
Speaker, Arizona University School of Law, Investiture of Professor Myles V. Lynk, Ethics: It’s
a Matter of Morals, 02/25/02
OTHER PUBLICATIONS AND PUBLIC SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS- Available Upon
Request