Bed-Stuy Law Firm Named Finalist In National Small Business Contest

BED-STUY, N.Y. — A Bedford Stuyvesant-based law firm was recently named one of ten finalists in a national small business contest vying for a $60,000 grand prize, according to the law firm's founder.

The Cloud Law Firm, founded by Ashley Cloud, is a finalist in Barclays US Consumer Bank’s “Small Business Big Wins” promotion. Contestants were asked to submit a brief essay describing how their business is adjusting to the current economy.

The public will be able to vote and help decide their favorite small business from the contest.

The Bed-Stuy resident is hoping to secure first place as she works to keep her business afloat and hopefully take it to the next level.

“I’ve known since I was a teenager that I wanted to have my own law firm. The journey to get here has been full of twists and turns and ups and downs," Cloud told Patch. "Growing up in a family with entrepreneurs, I knew what I was signing up for, and I understand how important it is to lean on your community for support. It would mean the world to me if you’d support and vote for me."

Cloud moved to Bed-Stuy and started her law firm in 2022. Previously she had been working a government job in D.C. and had plans to get married.

The Brooklyn lawyer said New York was where she needed to be if she wanted to pursue her law practice full time.

"Being a finalist in the Barclay’s Small Business Big Wins Contest further solidifies that I made the right choice in pursuing my dream," she said.

Voting for the contest ends in three days on April 19. You can vote on the top 10 finalists here.

The announcement of contest winners will take place during the week of May 1 to coincide with National Small Business Week. Besides the grand prize, 2nd place will receive $40,000, 3rd place will receive $20,000 and 7 runner-ups will receive $5,000 each respectively.

"As we’ve seen from previous winners, the most impressive stories are from businesses that have made good corporate citizenship a key element of their business model. Winning businesses view giving back to the community as the right thing to do and one of the most important ingredients to success. We encourage people to vote for their favorite entry today," Angelo Disperati, Director of US Branded and Business Cards, Barclays US Consumer Bank said in a statement.