Jones for the defense - lawyer Elaine R. Jones

Black Enterprise, August, 1993 by Caroline V. Clarke, Jonathan Sapers

"When we sit down at the table beside those poor black people, then and only then do developers want to know what they can do to make amends," says Jones. "I want to see more of that."

Running quickly through the negative images of blacks so often highlighted by the media, Jones slows the pace when she says, "We are a wonderful, competent, vibrant people. All we need is opportunity. I want my life to help create that opportunity. I'm not the social worker. I'm not the parole officer. What I do is understand the operation of the law and how it helps to limit legitimate, lawful opportunities for black people.

"My job is to break down those barriers."