Innovation is not Imani’s only passion, but it is certainly a driving force in her career.

Imani Maatuka is a commercial litigator, entrepreneur, and community leader who brings creativity, precision, and purpose to every facet of her work. She currently serves as a Managing Associate in the Commercial Litigation and Disputes group at Sidley Austin LLP in Dallas, Texas, where she represents clients in complex commercial disputes, internal investigations, and regulatory enforcement actions.
 

Her experience spans SEC and DOJ investigations, state attorneys general enforcement, False Claims Act litigation, product liability, trade-secret disputes, and multidistrict
litigation. She has successfully defended companies in industrial accident litigation, represented public corporations in fraud matters, and maintains an active pro bono docket focused on veterans’ advocacy and habeas corpus relief.

Imani has been recognized among The National Black Lawyers’ “Top 40 Under 40” (2024) and was recently named one of Just The Beginning’s “5 Under 40” Legal Professionals, honoring outstanding young lawyers who exemplify excellence, leadership, and service in the
legal community.
 

Beyond her casework, Imani is an engaged member of the Dallas Bar Association, the Dallas Association of Young Lawyers, and the J.L. Turner Legal Association and recently served as an associate of the Higginbotham Inn of Court. She is also active on Sidley’s Pro Bono and Public Interest Law Committee, helping to drive the firm’s social impact initiatives.

A proud graduate of Washington University School of Law, Imani was on the Dean’s List and received multiple distinctions, including the Dean’s Fellowship Award, Dean’s Leadership Award, Dean’s Service Award, and the Excellence Award for the highest grade in the
Entrepreneurship & Intellectual Property Clinic. She also served as Publication Editor of the Washington University Journal of Law & Policy.
 

She earned her B.S. in Journalism and Mass Communications from North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University, graduating summa cum laude and first in her class. As part of her studies, she participated in the International Business Development
Program in China, collaborating with global Fortune 500 firms on cross-border business and
litigation projects.
 

Outside of law, Imani is a serial entrepreneur and business owner. She founded Featuring Your Business, Inc., a multimedia production and marketing company she launched while still in high school. She also founded Lawyer Bae Travels LLC, a boutique travel company that
curates custom experiences for professional travelers seeking unique, culturally rich, and luxurious adventures. The company blends precision with creative storytelling to design seamless travel plans that go beyond typical tours.

 

Committed to expanding opportunity and representation in Big Law, Imani co-founded The Bridging the Gap Scholarship, supporting aspiring minority attorneys pursuing corporate law careers. In a field where minorities represent less than 5%, this initiative empowers diverse
talent to access resources, mentorship, and upward mobility.

Whether in the courtroom, the boardroom, or the community, Imani continues to lead with
innovation, intention, and impact.