Alphonzo Grant is a member of the Firm’s Criminal Defense and Investigation Group and also serves as the Firm’s director of diversity initiatives.
Mr. Grant graduated from Brooklyn Law School (J.D. 1998) and the State University of New York at Stony Brook (B.A., M.P.S. 1994). He served as the law clerk to the Hon. Edward R. Korman, former chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York (1998-1999). Mr. Grant, an associate at S&C from 1999 to 2002, returned to the firm in 2006. As an associate he engaged in various aspects of litigation practice, with a focus on antitrust, labor and employment and criminal defense law.
From 2002 to 2006, Mr. Grant served as an assistant U.S. attorney in the Eastern District of New York, assigned to the Violent Crimes and Terrorism Unit. During his tenure as a prosecutor, Mr. Grant prosecuted a wide variety of criminal violations of federal law, including terrorism, racketeering, weapons, narcotics, immigration, money laundering, tax, bank and government fraud offenses.
Mr. Grant is admitted to practice before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, as well as the New York State Courts and U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York.
Mr. Grant has tried several jury trials in federal court and has argued appeals before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
Mr. Grant brings years of relevant experience and commitment to the director of diversity position. Throughout his educational and professional life, Mr. Grant has steadfastly championed diversity, serving on several boards and committees focused on enhancing diversity in the legal profession. He heads S&C’s Diversity Management Department, which has the mandate of developing, implementing and coordinating the Firm’s diversity and inclusion initiatives and programs.
Professional Activities and Community Involvement
- In-house presenter on Trial Practice
- Frequent presenter on Diversity and Inclusion
- Member, the NYC Bar Association Enhance Diversity in the Profession Committee
- Member, Brooklyn Law School Admissions Board
- Board Member, The Youth Empowerment Mission, Inc., a nonprofit that provides comprehensive services to at-risk youth
- Member, NYC Bar Association, Civil Rights Committee, 2000-2001
- Secretary, NYC Bar Association Minorities in the Courts Committee, 1998-1999