About Me

Professional Summary

Whether Brandi D. Pikes is working in public service, leading a public service project, or advocating for resolutions that benefit young lawyers, she is a dedicated and strong, servant leader. Brandi is a native of the Show-Me-State, Missouri. She is a federal judicial law clerk for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. Brandi previously served as a federal judicial law clerk in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas for the Honorable Vanessa D. Gilmore.

Prior to her current clerkship, Brandi worked as a complex commercial litigation and employment attorney at Winston & Strawn LLP in Houston, Texas. Additionally, Brandi practiced education and employment law at Bricker & Eckler LLP in Columbus, Ohio. She also has experience working in-house on political campaigns. Brandi received her J.D. from the Washington University School of Law, her M.A. in Political Science from the University of Mississippi, and her B.A. in Mass Communications, magna cum laude, from Alcorn State University.

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Having worked within the judiciary, at a mid-size firm, a Big Law firm, and a political in-house organization Brandi has a unique perspective. She understands the vast experiences of young lawyers who are working as judicial law clerks, at firms of all sizes, and even those in-house. Brandi is in an ideal position to ensure that all young lawyers voices are heard and that our Assembly responds to the needs of all of its membership. 

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Despite moving from Ohio to Texas to Delaware and now to Illinois, as a young lawyer, Brandi has remained dedicated to serving to the Young Lawyers Division of the American Bar Association. She has served as a member of the YLD Cabinet and Council for three years and currently serves as Director of Professional Development and as a member of the Division’s Finance Board. She is a former YLD Scholar (now known as the YLD Leadership Academy). Her Assembly service includes serving as a credential board member, the 2024 Annual Meeting Parliamentarian, teller, and floor speaker many times. 

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Over the years, she has been intentional about Standing On Service (S.O.S.) and responding to the call for young lawyers and on behalf of young lawyers in the Division, on behalf of the Division, and state/local bar associations.