There was a moment around 1990 when it all seemed possible. Finally, there was a way for black lawyers with ambition, skill, and determination to escape the frustrating limitations that seemed destined to block their progress at large law firms which, although finally willing to hire them, seemed unwilling or unable to treat them as full fledged participants. That way was to build “large” corporate law firms of their own that would compete directly with established firms for clients and talent...