Two AUWCL Alumni Named to National Bar Association’s List of '40 Under 40 Nation’s Best Advocates'
June 12, 2018
Two American University Washington College of Law alumni have been named recipients of the National Bar Association’s 2018 “40 Under 40 Nation’s Best Advocates” awards.
Judge Zuberi Williams ’03 and Alex Johnson ’05 have been named to the nation’s top 40 lawyers under the age of 40 who exemplify a broad range of high achievement within the legal field, including in advocacy, innovation, vision, leadership and overall legal and community involvement.
Williams is associate judge of the District Court of Maryland, District 6 in Montgomery County. Appointed at the age of 36 by Gov. Martin O’Malley, he is one of the youngest judges in the history of the Maryland judiciary. A former member of the American Bar Association’s Judicial Intern Opportunity Program, Williams was the program’s first alumnus in the nation to reach either the state or federal bench. He is also currently chair of the District Court Alternative Dispute Resolution Subcommittee.
Johnson is the president of Los Angeles County Board of Education and the program director of the California Wellness Foundation. As program director, Johnson works to manage grant making related to violence prevention. Prior to joining the foundation, Johnson worked as managing director of Californians for Safety and Justice in Los Angeles, where he led efforts to end over-incarceration and supported a renewed focus on safety priorities rooted in prevention and health. Previously, he was executive director of Children’s Defense Fund-California.
“We look forward to observing even more substantive work from the awardees in the future, including continued involvement in matters that create new legal and innovative initiatives, enhance access to justice for all citizens, and improve community service,” said Juan Thomas, National Bar Association president.
Williams and Johnson will be honored Aug. 1 at the National Bar Association’s 40 Under 40 Awards Gala during the association’s 93rd Annual Convention & Exhibits in New Orleans.
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