Me and Ms. Jones, We've Got a Thing Goin' On: WE tv Premieres Powerful Black Female Lawyers in 'Sisters in Law'

WE tv recently launched its new legal docuseries "Sisters in Law," following a group of powerful black female lawyers in Houston as they tackle tough cases, fight community injustice and battle controversy while struggling to maintain their decades-long friendship.

They may differ in points of view as criminal or civil lawyers, but their ability to win cases in a traditionally white, male-dominated profession is a bond that can't be broken. EDGE spoke with openly lesbian cast member Jolanda Jones about the new show, being a role model and the barriers that women of color face to becoming a lawyer in the South.

"I hope that young aspiring women see they can be who they are, embrace themselves and achieve any goal they put their mind to," said Jones. "Being LGBTQ is a part of me and adds to the fabric of me and helps me be the best me I can be."

Rising from a childhood of poverty and a life filled with tragedy -- including the suicide of her father when she was only 13 months old and the murder of a sibling -- Jones was driven to practice law in order to provide warrior justice for disadvantaged defendants.

"I learned some important lessons along the way," said Jones. "I learned we don't win in life by pushing people down: We win by lifting them up. We don't win by tearing communities apart: We win by bringing them together. Most of all, I learned that winning ultimately means nothing unless we give back by serving others."

With a reputation for saying exactly what's on her mind, Jones has won cases that people thought were unwinnable, and she prides herself on client empathy, super preparation, on-point research and cross-examining witnesses relentlessly so that the truth is revealed.

But she had to battle significant barriers to success. First of all, explained Jones, the public education system under-educates girls of color, who then fight to get into a college system that is unaffordable, due to the deregulation of public school financing.

"If we're fortunate enough to get into law school, it's super expensive. Add to that the good ol' boy system, where white privilege puts women of color at a disadvantage for getting into law school, and earning clerkships that give you experience, and gaining employment after law school," said Jones. "When you look at the 'prominent' law firms, they are very vanilla with just a dash of chocolate."

Jones never let that stop her. She will legally attack people who try to get over on her clients and always strives to protect their civil rights. All of her career accomplishments aside, the one thing of which she is most proud is her son, Jiovanni, who, like his mother, is a social activist. Jio was recently arrested and faces charges, but Jones believes he is a victim of racial profiling and is doing everything she can to clear his name.

"I come from a grandmother and mom who were activists before me. I raised my son to be an activist, so locally people already knew that I fight for the least, last, lost and left behind," said Jones.

This fighting spirit is evident on the new show. In the premiere episode of "Sisters in Law," a murder case gets personal for Jones when she discovers that her client is a victim of abuse. Jones visits her client's home to check facts and finds a shocking discovery. When civil attorney Rhonda Wills offers to host Jones' fundraiser, drama erupts in this tight-knit group of lawyers. Wills gets heated when a surprise guest arrives at her home, forcing her to throw them out. Criminal attorney Monique Sparks is shocked by Wills and tries to get in the middle, making tensions run high.�

But this is not Jones' first time in the public eye. In the 1980s, she attended Alief Elsik High School in Houston, where she graduated magna cum laude and was recognized worldwide as an All-American for her U.S. track and field accomplishments. She even qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials in 1984 and 1988 and -- despite pressure from an abusive husband to retire for seven years -- eventually resumed training and qualified again in 1996.

Later, she went on to earn her J.D. from the University of Houston Law School. Her community activism earned her congressional recognition from the U.S. House of Representatives and the keys to the city of Galveston, Texas. She even has three "Jolanda Jones Day" proclamations, in Houston and in Galveston.

Since 2005, she has been recognized for her appearance on the CBS hit reality show "Survivor: Palau" (Season 10). Jones excelled there too, becoming the first person on the show to win individual immunity and be voted out in the same episode she won it. Since she has left the now infamous Ulong tribe, they have yet to win immunity -- something that Jones predicted due to their lack of teamwork.

And from 2008 to 2011, Jones served as an at-large member of the Houston City Council, fighting for safer, stronger neighborhoods and a better quality of life for Houstonians. Some of her fame, however, was self-created, as with the dramatic video that caught Jones leaping atop attempted car thieves' vehicle after they smashed the window of her car. They ran over her foot, but they didn't get her ride.

"My chasing down car burglars who broke into my car went worldwide and viral. I was an at-large Houston City Council member and was on local TV three to four times per week. My son and me winning a HERO Award for saving Megan Kaplan's life also gave me a certain level of notoriety. But this is just different, and it's absolutely flattering," said Jones.

Jones is taking her notoriety in stride, saying that she is easily recognized now and receives calls from people across the country who ask her opinions on things. Her only reservation is when folks she doesn't know call her by her first name, rather than "Ms. Jones" -- a show of respect that is common in the South and that she says she prefers. But Jones knows it is all part of the gig.

"I think my life is forever changed. Regular everyday people recognized me, but mostly locally," said Jones. "Now I have people like Lil' Kim recognizing me, and Bevy Smith, Naturi Naughton, Judge Lynn Toler, Jacque Reid and others came to our VIP premiere. I think my life is forever changed. I think privacy is gone."

With compelling, can't-miss unscripted shows and dramatic scripted series, WE tv's programming is fueled by personalities and relationships filled with purpose and passion. WE tv welcomes everyone and creates an inclusive experience across all platforms --�on TV, online, on demand, and on social media -- embracing how today's digitally savvy, socially engaged audiences connect through content and using it as a catalyst to drive conversation and build community.�