Diversity and Inclusion Fellowship Program

About the Program

The Diversity and Inclusion Fellowship Program provides opportunities for lawyers in under-represented groups such as ethnically diverse lawyers, persons with disabilities, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons, to actively participate within the Criminal Justice Section and prepare them to take on leadership roles within the Section.

The primary objectives of the program are to attract, retain and develop talented diverse lawyers, foster a culture of diversity and inclusion, to further demonstrate the Section’s commitment to ensuring equal opportunity in the profession and to create a pipeline of future Section leaders.

Fellowship Details

Participation in the Diversity and Inclusion Fellowship will include the following:

· Appointment to and active participation in the Diversity and Inclusion Committee. Fellow may also join a subcommittee of choice.

· An assigned mentor(s).

· Assignment and responsibility for a committee project designed to further the goals and objectives of the Section. Projects may include: Organize CJS CLE, Webinar, Article Publication, or Organize CJS Member Event.

· Recognition in Section publications and on the website.

· Attendance at 2 Criminal Justice Section leadership meetings annually with reimbursement of round-trip airfare, hotel, ground transportation, and per diem for all meetings capped at $2,000 per year per individual.

The Diversity and Inclusion Committee will select participants for each fellowship cycle. Applicants must be a member of the ABA to participate in the fellowship program.  

Current Fellows

Andrea Alabi

Andrea Alabi is a veteran prosecutor and a champion for community activism.   She started her career as an administrative hearing officer with the Georgia Department of Labor handling employment disputes.  In 2011, Andrea decided to pursue justice and serve the community by working as an Assistant Solicitor General.  She is now a Managing Assistant District Attorney for the Gwinnett Judicial Circuit handling all types of cases ranging from nonviolent misdemeanors to the most serious of felonies.  While at the District Attorney’s office, Andrea has spoken to hundreds of students and parents about cyber awareness, cyberbullying and preventing domestic violence. 

Faraz Mohammadi 

Faraz Mohammadi is a senior litigation associate in the White Collar Defense and Investigations practice group at the Los Angeles office of Latham & Watkins LLP.  In December 2019, he will begin serving as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Criminal Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California.  During his time at Latham, Faraz has practiced in federal and state court, handling both criminal defense and complex civil litigation matters.  He has also conducted internal investigations, represented clients in government regulatory actions both in the United States and in foreign jurisdictions, and advised companies on the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and other compliance issues.