Today we’d like to introduce you to Anisha Murphy.
Hi Anisha, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My life’s work is centered on the pursuit of economic justice—creating equitable systems that allow all communities, particularly Black and Brown communities, to thrive. For over a decade, I have dedicated my career to advancing equity, leading organizational innovation, designing transformative programs, and fostering partnerships that drive community-centered impact. I am a visionary and values-driven leader, grounded in ethics, diligence, and trust, and committed to building sustainable pathways to close racial and economic wealth gaps.
My commitment to this mission is deeply personal. Growing up, I aspired to be a corporate attorney—modeled after Clair Huxtable—but my career trajectory shifted dramatically after the murder of Trayvon Martin in 2012. That tragedy awakened a calling to use my legal and policy training in service of community transformation. After earning my B.A. in Legal Studies and Religion and my Paralegal Certification from Hamline University, I pursued my J.D. at Hamline University School of Law and began working with organizations focused on juvenile justice reform, youth homelessness, education, and economic empowerment.
In 2016, I joined the Northside Economic Opportunity Network (NEON) as Program Director, where I strengthened organizational performance, governance, and fiscal accountability. I led strategic initiatives to align staff, board, and community engagement, developed internal systems to track outreach and impact, and designed curriculum and capital readiness programs that helped hundreds of low- to moderate-income entrepreneurs access resources to grow their businesses.
Two years later, I founded Just Law LLC, a community-based law firm that provides accessible and culturally competent legal services to BIPOC entrepreneurs. To date, Just Law has delivered more than 2,000 hours of pro bono legal support and served over 500 small businesses and 10 nonprofit organizations, bridging the trust gap between entrepreneurs and traditional legal systems.
In 2019, I joined the Community Reinvestment Fund, USA (CRF)—one of the nation’s leading CDFIs—where I now serve as Vice President of Strategic Partnerships. In this role, I lead national strategies that expand access to capital for underserved communities and design collaborative programs that align philanthropic, corporate, and public partners. My leadership has resulted in the creation of innovative funding models that advance GroundBreak’s very mission: building systems-level solutions to eliminate racial wealth gaps.
One such example is the Minnesota Inclusive Growth Fund (MIGF)—an $18.5 million economic recovery fund that provides flexible, affordable capital and technical assistance to small businesses across Minnesota. I led fundraising efforts, attracting multimillion-dollar program-related investments and grants, and oversaw the program’s design and stakeholder engagement from inception through implementation.
More recently, I led the Small Business Catalyst Fund (SBCF)—a $7.5 million loan and grant initiative launched in partnership with Fifth Third Bank across its 11-state footprint—to increase access to capital for underserved entrepreneurs. I also represent CRF on several national and state coalitions, including the Catalyst Coalition and the Minnesota CDFI Coalition, advancing efforts tied to the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, a $27 billion federal initiative supporting climate and economic justice.
At every stage of my career, my focus has been on building equitable systems and scalable solutions that unlock capital, power, and opportunity for historically excluded communities. I believe deeply in GroundBreak Coalition’s vision—to transform how capital flows and to make wealth-building accessible to all—and I would be honored to bring my experience in community finance, cross-sector collaboration, and organizational leadership to steward its next chapter.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but it’s been a meaningful one! Like many entrepreneurs, I launched Just Law with a clear vision but limited resources. Balancing the realities of building a business—client acquisition, operations, marketing, and compliance—while maintaining the quality of service that clients deserve was a constant learning curve.
One of the biggest challenges was navigating the tension between accessibility and sustainability. I wanted to make legal services affordable and approachable, particularly for first-generation business owners and families who had never worked with an attorney before. But creating a model that balances mission with financial viability took time, trial, and recalibration.
There were also personal and professional growing pains—learning to delegate, trusting systems, and staying grounded in my “why” when things got hard. The legal profession isn’t always designed for innovation or compassion, so building a firm centered on empowerment, education, and equity meant challenging traditional norms and carving my own path.
Even with the challenges, every obstacle reaffirmed my purpose. The lessons learned along the way have shaped Just Law into more than a business—it’s a movement toward helping others protect what matters most and build legacies with confidence.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Just Law LLC was born out of a deep desire to make legal resources accessible, practical, and empowering—especially for communities that have historically been left out of the conversation about wealth and ownership.
I founded the firm after years of working at the intersection of law, community development, and economic justice. Throughout my career, I saw countless entrepreneurs and families with dreams of building businesses or leaving legacies, but without access to culturally competent, values-based legal guidance. Too often, the legal system felt intimidating or out of reach. I wanted to change that.
What began as a small solo practice focused on estate planning and business formation has evolved into a boutique law firm that helps clients protect their assets, structure their businesses, and plan for the future with confidence. Today, Just Law provides comprehensive estate planning (including wills, trusts, and power of attorney documents), asset protection strategies, and business services that help clients not only start but sustain their ventures.
Our mission is simple: to help individuals, families, and small business owners create legacies that last. Through education, approachable services, and a commitment to justice and empowerment, Just Law continues to grow—rooted in purpose, driven by impact, and grounded in community.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is that growth often happens in the tension between purpose and uncertainty. My path has rarely been linear—there have been seasons of clarity and seasons of doubt—but I’ve learned to trust that every detour was part of my preparation.
Early in my career, I thought success meant having a clear plan and executing it perfectly. Over time, I realized that purpose-driven work often calls you into places that stretch you, challenge you, and sometimes even break you open. The real work is staying grounded in your “why” even when the “how” feels unclear.
I’ve learned that grace and grit can coexist—that it’s possible to lead with both empathy and conviction, to be both visionary and practical, and to hold faith even when the outcome isn’t guaranteed. This balance has taught me to see obstacles as invitations—to deepen my courage, sharpen my discernment, and keep walking in alignment with purpose
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.justlawllc.com
- Instagram: @justlawllc; @anishatheattorney
