¹ú²ú´«Ã½

When Sydnei Jones ’16 received the news that she had been named one of the National Black Lawyers Top 40 Under 40, she was stunned. The distinction, awarded by the National Black Lawyers Top 100, celebrates some of the country’s most accomplished Black attorneys.

“I keep my head down and I work really hard,” says Jones. “So it is kind of hard to see the sunshine when you are always in the trenches. But I am extremely honored to be recognized among such amazing young Black professionals.”

A rising legal mind in the field of tax law, Jones is an associate at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, one of the world’s top law firms. Based in Washington, D.C., she advises major clients on the tax aspects of high-profile transactions — domestic and international mergers and acquisitions, real estate investment trusts, financings and more. Her work has contributed to deals involving companies like Microsoft, Hasbro, and Deutsche Bank. And yet, it is her dedication to service and mentorship that shines just as brightly.

“To be counted among such an outstanding group of legal professionals is both humbling and motivating,” she says of the Top 40 Under 40 recognition. “I remain committed to excellence, integrity and thought leadership.”

A Mount Made Leader

Before her legal career took off, Jones was a driven undergraduate at Mount Saint Mary’s University, where she double majored in political science and philosophy. She says the Mount shaped both her intellectual curiosity and her sense of purpose.

“I feel like the whole community took me under their wing,” she says. “If you want to do something — even if it hasn’t been done before — the Mount will push you forward and make sure you have trusted advisors along the way.”

Among those mentors was former associate professor and director of the pre-law program, Helen Boutros, PhD, JD. “Dr. Boutrous was instrumental. She opened up her book of connections, connected me to alumnae, and helped guide me toward law school,” says Jones. One of those alumnae would later inspire Jones to attend the University of Iowa College of Law.

The Mount’s liberal arts education also played a key role. Courses with professor Lia Roberts, PhD, in global politics expanded her worldview and later helped her specialize in international tax law. Her philosophy studies, led by professors like Peter Tan, PhD, and Wanda Teays, PhD, deepened her analytical thinking and introduced her to opportunities like the Rutgers Summer Institute for Diversity in Philosophy program.

The campus experience was equally formative. Jones was an active member of the Black Student Union, participated in mock trial competitions through the pre-law program, and took part in a public policy course taught in collaboration with the Los Angeles Mayor's Office of Budget and Innovation. Her policy proposal to prevent human trafficking in Los Angeles, created as part of that course, was ultimately selected for implementation in the City of Los Angeles.

“The Mount really showed me not to take my ideas lightly,” says Jones. “Don't underestimate your impact — keep fighting, keep pushing forward, and break barriers to help others.”

A Legal Career Rooted in Service

After graduating from the Mount in 2016, Jones earned her JD from Iowa in 2020 and an LL.M in International Tax from Georgetown University Law Center in 2021. She initially worked as tax counsel at 3M, where her interest in tax law was sparked during a summer internship.

“I love puzzles,” she says. “Even studying for the LSAT, the logic games were my favorite part. At 3M, I got to do real tax work — look at numbers, apply the code, take ownership of a project. I never looked back after that experience.”

Today, at Weil, Jones handles complex deals and continues to break barriers in a field where diversity remains limited. “In my five years of practice, I have never sat across from another Black person on a tax team,” she says. “That reality doesn’t discourage me—it fuels me. One day, I hope to join a call and see someone who looks like me.”

Her commitment to equity goes far beyond her firm. Jones is active in pro bono work, including with the Innocence Project, where she helps review cases of individuals seeking to overturn wrongful convictions. She also supports nonprofit clients and contributes to legal advocacy through the Washington Lawyers’ Committee.

“As a child of God, we are all called to help and serve others,” she says. “My victories aren’t just for me. They are for others too. I want my story to propel someone else forward when things get hard.”

Paying it Forward

Mentorship shaped every stage of Jones’s journey, and now she is determined to give back. She regularly returns to speak to pre-law students at the Mount and mentors undergraduates, law students, and young professionals navigating careers in law and tax.

“I have spoken on panels at the Mount, worked with Georgetown students on their resumes and interview prep, and mentored Iowa law students,” she says. “Now that I’m entering my sixth year of practice, I realize I do have a voice, and I want to use it to support others.”

As she reflects on the role women’s colleges play in shaping future leaders, Jones says: “Women’s universities are powerful, important, and necessary. They shape lives in ways the world deeply needs. Please, support them. Give back. Whether it is through mentorship or donations, help make sure these spaces thrive.”

To current students dreaming of law school or careers in public policy, Jones offers this advice: “Enjoy your time at the Mount. Take advantage of every opportunity, connect with your professors — they care about you more than you know. Yes, we are all unstoppable, and we have amazing things waiting for us after the Mount, but don’t forget to smell the flowers while you are in the garden.”