Shomari Ward, Esq.

Litigation Director

Shomari Ward worked for years at community-based organizations focusing on youth development before pursuing a career in law. Shomari was a litigation attorney at a corporate law firm in New York City where he focused on a broad range of complex commercial litigation. Shomari then joined the Legal Aid Society’s Juvenile Rights Division (JRD) in 2014 where he managed a litigation docket, which included child protective and juvenile defense proceedings. He also served as a JRD staff attorney in their Special Litigation and Law Reform Unit representing children in systemic, class action litigation and legislative reform efforts.

In addition to serving as an attorney in JRD, Shomari facilitated trainings on race, class, and community issues for practitioners, who work directly and collaterally with indigent families of color. Shomari currently serves as the Litigation Director at Youth Represent (YR) where he supervises members of the legal staff; and leads the development, focus, and updating of YR's legal staff trainings. As Litigation Director, Shomari also identifies, shapes, and guides YR’s high-impact systemic litigation efforts driven by the expressed needs of the clients and communities YR supports.

email: sward@youthrepresent.org