Jennifer Black is a determined advocate who thrives on achieving successful outcomes and standing up for what is right. Prior to establishing Black Naman & O’Connell, she obtained extensive experience negotiating high-value settlements in complex asbestos cases. Her experience at other nationally recognized law firms includes leading settlement negotiations that resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars in recoveries for clients suffering from asbestos-related diseases. Jennifer remains committed to giving victims a voice through compassionate representation alongside her partners.

 

A former high school English Teacher, Jennifer earned her Bachelor of Arts in English and Secondary Teacher Certificate, graduating cum laude from the University of Texas at Austin in 1992. She went on to attend the University of Texas School of Law, where she distinguished herself through her involvement in advocacy and trial competitions. During law school, she was a member of the prestigious Order of Barristers, a national honor society recognizing excellence in advocacy, and excelled in competitive trial programs, winning a national championship with the ATLA National Mock Trial Team and a state championship with the Texas Invitational Mock Trial Team.

 

After being admitted to the State Bar of Texas in 1999, Jennifer began a legal career focused on advocating for injured individuals. Over the years, she has built a strong reputation among colleagues and clients as a skilled negotiator and has presented on the topic at legal conferences. Jennifer understands that successful negotiation begins with more than knowing the medical records and legal claims – it requires knowing the person behind the diagnosis. By developing a deep understanding of each client’s life, work, family, and the physical and emotional impact of their disease or injury, she brings the human story to the negotiating table. Her meticulous preparation, attention to detail, and ability to communicate the full consequences of asbestos exposure allow her to effectively demonstrate the true value of each case and pursue the strongest possible recovery for her clients. In addition to her focus on settlement negotiation, Jennifer serves as the Managing Partner of Black Naman & O’Connell and oversees case intake, filing of bankruptcy claims, and lien resolution.

 

Outside of her law practice, Jennifer’s favorite role is single mother to her two daughters, Sophia and Ava, who inspire her volunteer efforts. Jennifer has dedicated herself to empowering young women by leading two Girl Scout troops for twelve years and mentored five girls to earn their Gold Award, the highest honor a Girl Scout can earn. She received the Dinah Zaleski Award for Outstanding Service and the Betty Key Award for Outstanding Volunteerism at Episcopal High School. Jennifer currently serves as a mentor for Texas Pom and was featured as the keynote speaker for The University of Texas at Austin Spirit Squad training camp in 2025. She is an avid hiker in our National Parks and summitted Kilimanjaro in 2022. Jennifer and her daughters are passionate about travel, adventure, and all things Disney.