By Lisa Mohabeer ‘23
On February 21, 2023, the African American Heritage Club presented “A conversation with Justin Dews.” Justin was accompanied by AAHC club presidents Lisa Mohabeer (‘23) and Malaysia Cowherd (‘24) who moderated the Q&A session. Students were able to join in on the conversation, ask their own questions, and learn from Justin’s insightful experiences.
Justin Dews is a BGA/STA alumnus of the Class of 2007. He graduated from Harvard University in 2011 and went on to graduate from Harvard Law School in 2015, where he was a member of the Harvard Law Review. When asked how BGA/STA prepared him for his education, Justin responded that his AP History teacher Mrs. Carol Luzhak incorporated the government side into her teachings and it drove him to pursue the career he is in now. Justin was a Political Law Associate at the law firm Perkins Coie and clerked for Judge Joseph Greenaway, Jr., in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. He was then a Litigation Associate at the law firm Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton where he worked with large financial clients. Furthering his career, Justin was a Senior Counsel in the Counsel’s Office of Governor Phil Murphy, where he advised the Governor on legislation and policies related to criminal justice, transportation, and elections. Most recently, Justin coordinated and participated in preparation sessions for Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s Supreme Court confirmation. He also conducted legal research on and assist with matters related to ethics and oversight, litigation, and racial and social justice. As the vetting attorney on President Biden’s transition team, Justin vetted and interviewed potential Cabinet nominees and White House personnel for the Biden-Harris Administration. He then moved on to Associate Counsel in the White House Counsel’s Office where he focused on judicial nominations. Currently, Justin is a Counsel at the multinational law firm King & Spalding where he focuses on special matters and government investigations.
After the presentation, students were inspired by Justin’s accomplishments and ambition, which encapsulated his message, “Success is a place for everyone: Opening doors to places you belong.”
