The Most Inspiring Black Women Lawyers on TV

They may be fictional characters, but I can never watch these women in action on-screen without feeling inspired to pull on a killer suit, put a curl in my hair and strut onto the scene ready to lay down the law!

1. Jessica Pearson -Suits

Yeah, yeah, Harvey and Mike are nice but as managing and name partner, Jessica is the one running the show.  What I love most about her character is that she is effortlessly fly and not to be messed with.  Given the dearth of Black female partners in real-life BigLaw, it is great to have a character out there reminding aspiring associates across the country that it can be done and done well.  Kudos to the writers and of course, actress Gina Torres who delivers an award-worthy performance every week.  If you aren't a Suits fan, you might also recognize Gina as Vanessa's mom from Gossip Girl or as Mrs. Laurence Fishburne.

2.  Wendy Scott-Carr- The Good Wife

I never really want to cheer for anybody who antagonizes Alicia, but seriously? As a Chicago ADA-turned-Special-Prosecutor with an on-point wardrobe, Anika Noni Rose can't help but make me cheer for her.  Even after her most recent defeat, I keep hoping she'll pop up with more nefarious intentions just so I can watch her in action.

3. Claire Huxtable- The Cosby Show

#throwbackalert.  How many people don't even remember that in addition to being an iconic mom and wife, Claire was also a successful attorney? There's a lot of debate these days about whether or not women can have it "all", but when I watch Mrs. Huxtable, Esq. in action, I have no doubt that a successful career, marriage and motherhood can go hand in hand.

4. Teri Joseph Carter- Soul Food 

Full disclosure- I didn't actually watch Soul Food (the show) when it was airing so I don't have the fullest appreciation of Teri's character, but we all know Nicole Ari Parker is certified fly so it's inevitable that any character she plays would be as well.  Teri makes this list because of one Soul Food clip that I caught as a teenager (sneak-watching at somebody else's house, remember those days?) that has stayed with me to this day.

Did I leave anybody off the list? Who are your on-screen inspirations?