NASHVILLE, May 5, 2025 — Federal Public Defender Dumaka Shabazz will be honored next month with the Tennessee Bar Association’s (TBA) Claudia Jack Award. The award will be presented at the annual Lawyers Luncheon set for June 13 as part of the association’s Annual Convention in Franklin. Named for the late Claudia Jack, a long-time champion of the poor and underprivileged and a public defender in Maury County, the award is presented each year to an outstanding public defender or court-appointed private practitioner who serves the legal community and clients in an exemplary fashion.

Shabazz is the federal public defender for the Middle District of Tennessee, where he represents clients charged federally with white-collar and violent crimes. His appointment to the post in March was historic, making him the first Black person to hold the position. He previously served as an assistant federal public defender in the office. Before joining the office in 2010, Shabazz was a criminal defense attorney in private practice. He began his legal career in the Davidson County District Attorney’s Office, where he prosecuted criminal cases, handling numerous jury trials. He earned his law degree from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 2002.

Shabazz regularly shares his experience with others as an instructor at the New Defender College for newly hired federal public defenders, as a guest lecturer at numerous programs, and as an adjunct professor at Vanderbilt University Law School, where he teaches trial advocacy.
 
In a letter nominating Shabazz for this award, one colleague wrote that his training of other public defenders goes beyond technical skills, instilling in new defenders a profound understanding of ethical duties and the human impact of the work. He continued: “I witnessed firsthand how Dumaka combines legal brilliance with genuine compassion for clients and colleagues alike.”

Shabazz also has been praised for his commitment to community service outside the courtroom. Since at least 2015, he has been a driving force behind the Gentleman’s Academy, a six-month rites of passage program for inner-city young men. This award-winning program provides mentorship and training focused on leadership, achievement and service. His dedication to public service also has inspired his own daughter to become a public defender, continuing his legacy of advocacy for those most in need of justice.

In announcing the selection of Shabazz for this award, TBA President Ed Lanquist Jr. said, “Dumaka Shabazz embodies the unwavering dedication to justice envisioned by the Claudia Jack Award. His work on behalf of clients, his dedication to mentoring the next generation of public defenders, and his commitment to serving the community make him a deserving recipient for this year’s award. His commitment and dedication mirrors Claudia’s.”
 

The Tennessee Bar Association (TBA) is the largest professional association in Tennessee with nearly 14,000 members. Founded in 1881, the TBA represents the entire spectrum of the legal profession in Tennessee and beyond, and is dedicated to enhancing fellowship and professionalism among the members of Tennessee’s legal community.