A Young Career Committed To Diversity
Justin Dews believes that “a diverse workplace makes for good policy and a good working environment.” A graduate of Harvard Law and a long-term New Jersey resident, Dews is currently engaged as associate counsel, Office of Counsel to New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy. His interest in public policy is evident in the positions he has held since law school.
Work on President Barack Obama’s re-election campaign prepared Dews for his next role as an associate with the Political Law Group at Perkins Coie in Washington D.C. The Political Law Group is recognized nationally for experience in campaign finance and election law. Working within the group gave Dews the opportunity to sit in on multiple voting rights cases argued before the Supreme Court. In addition, the group and its chair, Marc Elias, received a Diversity Champions Award from the firm in recognition of the group’s commitment to and creation of diversity in the workplace.
In keeping with his goal to impact law and policy at the macro-level, Dews’ next move was to the chambers of Judge Joseph A. Greenaway Jr., United States Circuit Judge who sits on the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. Dews shared that Judge Greenaway demonstrated a consistent commitment to hiring diverse law clerks for his chambers.
Dews said, “I have been fortunate that every job I’ve held has been a diverse environment and was supportive of diversity. That matters. It starts at the top.” He went on to say that Governor Murphy has assembled the most diverse cabinet in the country and in New Jersey history. Beyond the cabinet, the Governor has created an office that, at all levels, reflects the diversity of the state.
Dews wants to help individuals in their day-to-day lives. He is doing that through his work in public policy and his commitment to diversity in the workplace. An avid reader of the biographies of historical figures, Dews is most impressed by Alexander Hamilton. “His story is compelling, inspirational and gives a sense of what drives someone to do their best.”
A young professional on the rise, Dews seems determined to do his best, by focusing on what’s best for the individuals that make up the “public” in public policy.
