Who is Tony Balkissoon?
Tony Balkissoon, widely recognized as the husband of CNN’s justice reporter, Laura Jarrett, and as the son of former Canadian politician Bas Balkissoon, has been a subject of curiosity for many. Laura is a senior legal correspondent at NBC.
Tony Balkissoon was born in Scarborough, Ontario, Canada in 1985. He comes from a well-respected family, as his father is Bas Balkissoon, a well-known politician in Ontario’s Legislative Assembly. This familial connection offers a significant understanding of a long-standing tradition of serving the public and exhibiting strong leadership.
Although little is known about his mother, Tahay, Bas’s father, Bas, gained recognition as the leader of the Scarborough Homeowners Alliance For Fair Taxes. This group aimed to contest the province’s property assessment system.
Bas Balkissoon, a former politician from Ontario, Canada, served as a Liberal member in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario for the Scarborough—Rouge River riding from 2005 to 2016. Before this, he held positions as a municipal councilor in Scarborough from 1988 to 1997 and as a councilor in the unified city of Toronto from 1998 to 2005.
Education
Tony Balkissoon grew up in Scarborough, Ontario, Canada, and attended school there. He received his B.A. Sc. with honors from the University of Ontario in 2007 and then went on to attend Harvard Law School. He graduated from this well-respected law school in 2010. He has also won the Dean’s Scholar for Trademark Law and Sex Equality.
During his time at Harvard Law School, he actively advocated for gender equality as a spokesperson for Harvard’s Office of Sexual Assault Prevention and Response.
Career
Before switching to criminal justice and civil rights, Tony Balkissoon worked on intellectual property litigation at a multinational legal company in Chicago. His work as a law clerk for two federal judges greatly influenced his career path.
He was fortunate to have the opportunity to learn from the Honorable Manish S. Shah, a highly regarded judge in the Northern District of Illinois’ United States District Court.
In his significant position, he offers invaluable advice and skills and leads various Presidential initiatives. An example of such an initiative is the prestigious yearly Smart on Crime Innovations Conference, which Tony heads.
Before becoming a member of John Jay, he established an admirable reputation as a legal expert specializing in criminal justice and civil rights. He fervently fought for the preservation of constitutional rights, diligently defending incarcerated individuals and those facing criminal charges in federal trials and appellate courts across the country.
Tony’s resolute dedication to upholding justice is clearly demonstrated through his advocacy for numerous individuals who have been wrongly convicted. Through unyielding perseverance, he has fought to exonerate them and obtain reparation for the injustices they faced.
Personal Life
The bond between Tony Balkissoon and Laura Jarrett began in 2008 when they crossed paths as law students at Harvard University. They were brought together by their mutual dedication to the legal field and their shared desire to make a positive impact on society.
In June 2012, the couple got married and has since been raising a family together, which includes two children. Their marriage and family life exemplify a wonderful combination of work ethic and personal devotion.
Throughout her career in journalism, Laura Jarrett has had the support of Tony Balkissoon, especially during her time at CNN where she served as a co-anchor for “Early Start” and a legal analyst.
Net Worth
Tony Balkissoon’s net worth is believed to range from $1 million to $5 million, which he has accumulated through his career as a lawyer and various other ventures.
Although his exact salary is undisclosed, it is assumed to be quite profitable. Due to Tony’s thriving legal career and his wife’s wealth, the couple is in a financially stable position.
