Tony Balkissoon is an American-based civil rights lawyer and the husband of NBC News journalist Laura Jarrett. He works on wrongful-conviction cases, helping people seek justice after being imprisoned for crimes they did not commit. His legal career includes federal court cases, appeals, and a senior leadership position at John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
Balkissoon is also connected to two prominent political families. His father, Bas Balkissoon, served in Canadian politics, while his mother-in-law, Valerie Jarrett, was a senior adviser to former President Barack Obama. Despite those connections, Tony has built a professional career of his own.
Tony Balkissoon’s Career and Professional Background
Tony Balkissoon is a lawyer whose main area of practice is civil rights litigation. This means he handles legal cases involving violations of people’s basic rights, including wrongful imprisonment and misconduct by public officials.
His professional biography at Neufeld Scheck Brustin Hoffmann & Freudenberger, LLP (NSBHF) confirms that he joined the New York-based law firm in January 2024. He holds the position of counsel and focuses on complex legal writing, from the start of a lawsuit through the appeals process.
Before joining the firm, Balkissoon worked on major cases involving people who had been wrongfully convicted. His firm’s biography credits him as part of legal teams that secured jury verdicts of $22 million and $15 million for clients who had been wrongly imprisoned.
He also worked with a nonprofit legal team that successfully challenged a federal appeals court ruling before the U.S. Supreme Court. The case concerned legal barriers that made it harder for people to bring malicious-prosecution claims.
These cases show that his career involves more than advising clients. Balkissoon has worked on trials, appeals, and legal arguments that can affect how civil rights laws are applied.
Education and Early Legal Experience
Balkissoon studied at two major universities before establishing his legal career.
He earned a Bachelor of Applied Science in Engineering Science, with honors, from the University of Toronto. He later attended Harvard Law School, where he graduated cum laude, a Latin term meaning with honors.
After law school, he gained experience working with federal judges. His professional biography identifies two judicial clerkships:
- Judge Manish S. Shah of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.
- Judge Ann Claire Williams, formerly of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.
A judicial clerk helps a judge research legal questions, examine arguments, and prepare court decisions. These positions gave Balkissoon experience with both trial-level and appeals courts.
He later worked on civil rights cases at the MacArthur Justice Center, a nonprofit organization involved in criminal justice and constitutional law litigation.
His Leadership Role at John Jay College
In February 2020, John Jay College of Criminal Justice announced that Balkissoon had joined the institution as vice president and executive counsel.
The announcement, issued by then-college president Karol V. Mason, described a role that covered several legal and administrative responsibilities.
These included advising the college on lawsuits, regulatory requirements, faculty matters, governance, and employment agreements. Balkissoon was also expected to contribute to institutional projects such as the college’s Smart on Crime Innovations conference.
The position marked a change from representing clients in court to helping a major educational institution handle legal questions and policy decisions.
He later returned to private legal practice, joining NSBHF in January 2024.
A Wrongful-Conviction Case Involving Ricky Kidd
One example of Balkissoon’s legal work is the wrongful-conviction case of Ricky Kidd.
Kidd spent more than 23 years in prison after being convicted in connection with a 1996 double homicide in Missouri. He was exonerated in 2019.
On April 29, 2025, the Kansas City, Missouri Board of Police Commissioners approved a $14 million settlement in Kidd’s wrongful-conviction lawsuit.
A May 5, 2025, announcement from NSBHF named Balkissoon among the attorneys on Kidd’s legal team, alongside lawyers from his firm and Lathrop GPM.
The settlement offers a documented example of the type of civil rights litigation Balkissoon handles. It also shows the importance of legal work that continues long after a wrongful conviction has been overturned.
Tony Balkissoon and Laura Jarrett’s Marriage
Balkissoon is married to Laura Jarrett, a former lawyer who became a television journalist.
Their relationship began at Harvard Law School, where they met in 2008 while studying in their second year. Both later pursued legal careers before Jarrett moved into journalism.
The couple married on June 16, 2012, in Chicago.
Their wedding drew national media coverage because of the prominent people attending the ceremony.
CBS Chicago reported that President Barack Obama attended with First Lady Michelle Obama and their daughters, Malia and Sasha. Then-Attorney General Eric Holder was also among the guests.
The presidential connection came through Jarrett’s mother, Valerie Jarrett, who was a longtime friend and senior adviser to Obama.
Although the guest list attracted attention, Balkissoon and Jarrett had already known each other for several years through their time at Harvard.
Do Tony Balkissoon and Laura Jarrett Have Children?
Yes. Balkissoon and Jarrett have two children, a son named James and a daughter named June.
Jarrett spoke about their family in September 2023, when she began co-anchoring NBC’s Saturday TODAY. At the time, James was four years old and June was one.
Both parents had careers in law before Jarrett became a journalist. Their professional lives eventually took different directions, with Tony continuing his legal career and Laura moving into television news.
Jarrett has discussed raising their children while working in broadcast journalism, but the children’s private lives are not central to Balkissoon’s professional profile.
Who Is Tony Balkissoon’s Father?
Tony Balkissoon’s father is Bas Balkissoon.
Bas served in politics in Ontario, Canada, first at the municipal level and later as a member of the provincial legislature.
According to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, he represented Scarborough—Rouge River from November 24, 2005, until his resignation on March 22, 2016.
He also held the position of Deputy Speaker of the legislature.
A June 2012 report published by CityNews Vancouver confirmed the father-son relationship while covering Tony’s wedding to Laura Jarrett. Both Bas Balkissoon and President Obama attended the ceremony.
Tony’s career has followed a different path from his father’s. Rather than seeking elected office, he has worked in legal practice, civil rights cases, and higher education.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tony Balkissoon
What does Tony Balkissoon do for a living?
Tony Balkissoon is a civil rights lawyer. He is listed as counsel at Neufeld Scheck Brustin Hoffmann & Freudenberger, LLP, where his work focuses on wrongful-conviction litigation and appeals.
Where did Tony Balkissoon go to college?
He attended the University of Toronto, where he studied Engineering Science, and Harvard Law School, where he earned his law degree with honors.
When did Tony Balkissoon marry Laura Jarrett?
Tony Balkissoon and Laura Jarrett married on June 16, 2012, in Chicago. Their wedding was attended by Barack and Michelle Obama.
Is Tony Balkissoon related to Valerie Jarrett?
Yes. Valerie Jarrett, a former senior adviser to President Barack Obama, is Tony Balkissoon’s mother-in-law. Her daughter, Laura Jarrett, is his wife.
Where does Tony Balkissoon work?
His law firm’s current professional listing identifies him as counsel at NSBHF, which he joined in January 2024. Before that, he served as vice president and executive counsel at John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
Conclusion
Tony Balkissoon has established a career in civil rights law, working on wrongful-conviction cases, federal appeals, and legal matters involving constitutional rights.
His marriage to NBC News journalist Laura Jarrett and his connections to Canadian and American political figures are important parts of his public profile. But his work as a lawyer, including his involvement in major wrongful-conviction cases, provides the clearest account of his professional life.
