Faculty Profile: Jawara Griffin

Jawara Griffin, Author of “Homeboy”, was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA.  Jawara is a Criminal Defense Attorney fighting for the rights of the indigent and disenfranchised.  Currently an Assistant Federal Public Defender for the Western District of Tennessee, he started his legal career in Massachusetts, as a Public Defender with the Committee for Public Counsel Services in Massachusetts.  After leaving the Committee for Public Counsel Services in MA, Jawara accepted a position with Maryland Office of the Public Defender as an Assistant Public Defender in Baltimore City.   

In addition to his work as a criminal defense attorney, Jawara travels the country speaking to various groups and conferences with the purpose of encouraging and motivating others to never give up regardless of their current circumstances and to understand that an opportunity is not a handout.  Jawara relies on his life story as proof that success is not about resources.  It’s about being resourceful and creative and having courage in your conviction. 

Jawara earned his Juris Doctorate from UMass Dartmouth School of Law, and his Bachelors of Science in Criminal Justice Administration from Mansfield University in PA.

While Jawara is proud of his accomplishments thus far and loves his work, it is not the most important thing in his life.  That position belongs to his two daughters, Dejah and Jael.