Zulu Ali
Zulu Abdullah Ali (born January 31, 1967) is an African-American attorney, social commentator, social entrepreneur, and activist.[1] He represented R&B singer Chris Brown stalker, Amira Kodcia Ayeb; former Tampa Bay Buccaneer offensive lineman, Dominique Robertson; and rapper DJ Quick.[2][3][4][5] He is the principal and founder of the Law Offices of Zulu Ali & Associates, LLP, a black-owned law firm in California's Inland Empire.[6] He is a trial lawyer, former police officer, and a veteran of the US Marine Corps.[7][8] Ali appeared as a guest on CNN’s The Messy Truth with Van Jones on February 17, 2019 arguing against former President Donald Trump’s Muslim Ban.[9]
Personal life
Ali married Charito Ali[10] on March 17, 1986, and they have four children; Christine, Whitney, Ashley, and Lynda; and three grandchildren, Amayah, Tye, and Izem. He resides in Southern California with his family.
Education
Ali received his Juris Doctor (law) from Trinity International University. He completed a Master of Science in Administration of Justice and a Master of Business Administration at the University of Phoenix. He also received his Liberal Arts degree from Regents College of the University of the State of New York through a consortium with Tennessee State University.[11]
Career
After graduating from the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy, Ali served as a sworn police officer with the City of Shelbyville, the City of Lewisburg, and the Vanderbilt Police Departments, respectively.[12] Ali has been admitted to the California State Bar, United States District Courts for the districts of Central California, Southern California, Northern California, and Colorado, United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth, Ninth, Tenth, and Eleventh Circuits, United States Supreme Court; African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights, and the International Criminal Court in the Hague, The Netherlands. As a US Marine, he served with the Marine Security Force. He is the founder and principal attorney at Law Offices of Zulu Ali and Associates,[7] LLP., based in Riverside, California,[6] focusing on representing people accused of crimes, immigrants, and those seeking civil justice in state and federal courts. Ali also represents people at the African Court of Justice and Human Rights in Tanzania and the International Criminal Court at The Hague, The Netherlands.
He is the founder and CEO of 10 Nubian Queens & 5 Kings Media, a mass media production company focusing on black family and social justice content in film, radio, theater, music, and book publishing.[7] Ali produced the documentary film Purpose and Freedom: Keep Your Hand on the Plow,[13] which premiered at the Wilshire Screening Room in Beverly Hills in 2017. He wrote and produced the stage play Purpose and Freedom: The Story of Attorney Zulu Ali and Aracely Morales, which premiered at the Hudson Theater in Hollywood in January 2020. He also wrote, produced, and is featured in the film Negros For Sale: The Business of American Criminal Justice,[14] released in December 2020, and wrote and produced a musical compilation with various artists titled The Discography of Zulu Ali (2020).[15][16]
Ali is the author of books including, Interview with a Black Lawyer Fighting for Justice (2020),[17][18] When the Jury, Money, Votes, and Pride Comes Black (2020),[19] Lecture on Black America and American Justice : A History and Paradigm of Retributive Psychosis (2016),[20] and Black Man's Religion: Islam or Christianity (1997). Ali co-founded the Nubian Royalty Kids Book Series,[21] which publishes animated books to educate children on subjects that impact and empower the Black and minority. As part of the series, he has written children's books Izem Meets Officer Joe: Izem Learns to Deal with Police Encounters,[22] released in November 2020, and Amayah and Tye's Lemonade Stand: A Lesson on Building Community Wealth, released in December 2020.[23]
Ali is the host of the nationally syndicated radio talk show Justice Watch with Attorney Zulu Ali,[24] which broadcasts from NBC Radio studio, KCAA, in Redlands, California.
Notable cases
Ali fought to grant bail for Amira Kodcia Ayeb who faced felony charges of burglary, malicious mischief, and stalking, as she allegedly took a bus from Texas to R&B singer Chris Brown's Southern California home, broke in, trashed the place, and then shacked up while Chris Brown was away.[2] Ali was able to reduce Ayeb's charges to misdemeanors and no jail time.[25]
He helped Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie offensive lineman, Dominique Robertson,[26][27] who was a victim of a shooting and was hospitalized with gunshot wounds in southern California, file a complaint against the police, as he was taken into custody for questioning upon discharge without legal representation. Ali represented rapper David Marvin Blake, better known as DJ Quick,[28] in the dismissal of charges against him for assault with a weapon filed in the California Superior Court of San Bernardino County.
He also fought to withdraw the plea of Nelson Clark Sims, an African-American, elderly male, and US Marine Corps veteran who was incarcerated at the Cois M. Byrd Detention Center in French Valley after pleading guilty to a DUI causing injury. Sims sought his release from a Riverside County jail due to susceptibility to COVID-19 and who suffered from mental issues at the time of his plea but lost his request to withdraw the guilty plea.[29]
Awards and recognition
- Honored as a Top Lawyer by the National Black Lawyers[30]
- In 2017, Zulu Ali was honored by the National Action Network, founded by Reverend Al Sharpton, with the Vanguard Award as one of Los Angeles’ 100 Most Influential African American Leaders[31]
- Honored a Top 10 Lawyer by the American Academy of Trial Attorneys, American Institute of Legal Counsel, American Jurist Institute, and Attorney and Practice Magazine[32]
- National Trial Lawyers-Top 100[8]
- Selected by Rue Ratings Best Lawyer in America[33]
- 2020 Litigator of the Year by the American Institute of Trial Lawyers[34][35]
- Marquis Who's Who, Top Lawyer of America[36]
- Inducted into the Marquis Who's Who Registry for Excellence in Law and Activism; and Marquis' America's Top Lawyer registry with his lawyer daughter
- Recognized as Top 100 lawyers by American Academy of Trial Lawyers[8]
- Top 100 Lawyers by the National Black Lawyers-Top 100[12]
- Premier 100 Trial Lawyers by the American Academy of Trial Attorney[12]
- Top 10 Lawyers in Criminal Defense, Immigration Law, and Personal Injury by the American Institute of Legal Counsel[12]
- Recognized as African American Leaders in Los Angeles by the National Action Network[12]
References
- ↑ "Attorney Zulu Ali, Founder of the Largest Black-owned Law Firm in California's Inland Empire, Has Been Renamed Top Lawyer by the National Black Lawyers Top 100". https://www.law.com/legalnewswire/news.php?id=2781241#:~:text=Attorney+Zulu+Ali,+founder+and,only+a+select+group+of.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "BOSSIP Exclusive: Chris Brown Stalker Posts Bail; Found Fit To Stand Trial". February 1, 2016. https://bossip.com/1277601/bossip-exclusive-chris-brown-stalker-posts-bail-found-fit-to-stand-trial/.
- ↑ "Buccaneers rookie Dominique Robertson shot in California". https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/buccaneers-dominique-robertson-gun-shot-california-george-warhop/hdwl412cy85g10t01qxsyhfth.
- ↑ Zucker, Joseph. "Dominique Robertson Files Complaint Against Police: Latest Details and Comments". https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2650825-dominique-robertson-files-complaint-against-police-latest-details-and-comments.
- ↑ "Bucs' Robertson hospitalized for gunshot wounds". July 3, 2016. https://www.espn.in/nfl/story/_/id/16716678/dominique-robertson-tampa-bay-buccaneers-hospitalized-two-gunshot-wounds.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Ali, Law Offices of Zulu. "Attorney Zulu Ali, Founder of the Largest Black-owned Law Firm in California's Inland Empire, Has Been Renamed Top Lawyer by the National Black Lawyers Top 100". https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/attorney-zulu-ali-founder-of-the-largest-black-owned-law-firm-in-californias-inland-empire-has-been-renamed-top-lawyer-by-the-national-black-lawyers-top-100-301191795.html.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 https://www.blackprwire.com/press-releases/bprw-the-law-offices-of-zulu-ali-associates-one-of-the-largest-black-owned-law-firms-in-california-s-inland-empire-names-black-female-as-partner
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Evans, Kelley D. (November 18, 2016). "This trial lawyer wants to spread the word on black America and justice in his new book". https://theundefeated.com/features/this-trial-lawyer-wants-to-spread-the-word-on-black-america-and-justice-in-his-new-book/.
- ↑ "CNN.com - Transcripts". http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1702/10/se.01.html.
- ↑ https://www.blacknews.com/news/attorney-zulu-ali-interview-being-black-lawyer-fighting-for-justice/
- ↑ https://thenationaltriallawyers.org/profile-view/Zulu/Ali/14810/%7Ctitle=Lawyer Profile - The National Trial Lawyers|website=https://thenationaltriallawyers.org/
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 "Zulu Ali, California Attorney weighs in on the many facets of racism « Korelin Economics Report". http://www.kereport.com/2020/08/15/zulu-ali-california-attorney-weighs-in-on-the-many-facets-of-racism/.
- ↑ "Zulu Ali". http://www.imdb.com/name/nm9420360/.
- ↑ "NEGROES FOR SALE: The Business of American Criminal Justice (Lecture by Attorney Zulu Ali)". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofAbuNr2dH0&list=UUtIkmexvBKqnDAhcB46siHQ.
- ↑ "The Discography of Zulu Ali: The Soundtrack of My Life & Inspiration". https://zulualimusic.hearnow.com/.
- ↑ "Zulu Ali - The Discography of Zulu Ali: The Soundtrack of My Life & Inspiration | iHeartRadio". https://www.iheart.com/artist/zulu-ali-34899790/albums/the-discography-of-zulu-ali-the-108872705/.
- ↑ Zulu Ali Esq, Esq (18 November 2020). An Interview with a Black Lawyer Fighting for Justice. ISBN 978-1098338749.
- ↑ Noble, Barnes &. "An Interview With A Black Lawyer Fighting For Justice|Paperback". https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/an-interview-with-a-black-lawyer-fighting-for-justice-zulu-ali-esq/1137907545?ean=9781098338749.
- ↑ Ali, Zulu (4 January 2021). When the Jury, Money, Votes, and Pride Comes Black: A Strategy for Power and Justice in Black America. ISBN 978-1098333362.
- ↑ https://www.amazon.com/Lecture-Black-America-American-Justice/dp/1483583899/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&qid=1611147001&refinements=p_27%3AZULU+ALI&s=books&sr=1-5
- ↑ Ali, Zulu (13 December 2020). Amayah & Tye's Lemonade Stand: Amayah & Tye's Lesson on Building Community Wealth. ISBN 978-1662907517.
- ↑ Ali, Zulu (4 December 2020). Izem Meets Officer Joe: Izem Learns How to Deal with Police Encounters. ISBN 978-1098339548.
- ↑ https://www.amazon.com/Books-ZULU-ALI/s?rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3AZULU+ALI
- ↑ "Justice Watch with Attorney Zulu Ali on KCAA". https://www.stitcher.com/show/justice-watch-with-attorney-zulu-ali.
- ↑ "BOSSIP Exclusive: Chris Brown's Stalker Gets Wrist Slap For Breaking Into Singer's Home". September 13, 2016. https://bossip.com/1353563/bossip-exclusive-chris-browns-stalker-gets-wrist-slap-for-breaking-into-singers-home/.
- ↑ Company, Tampa Publishing. "Bucs rookie Dominique Robertson deals with fallout from shooting". https://www.tampabay.com/sports/football/bucs/bucs-rookie-dominique-robertson-deals-with-fallout-from-shooting/2284181/.
- ↑ "Buccaneers rookie shot, then detained by police in California". http://sports.yahoo.com/news/buccaneers-rookie-shot-then-detained-by-police-in-california-163716102.html.
- ↑ file:///C:/Users/User/Downloads/DJ%20QUICK%20(1).pdf
- ↑ "Jailed man who fears COVID-19 infection is denied request to withdraw plea". September 2, 2020. https://www.pe.com/2020/09/02/jailed-man-who-fears-covid-19-infection-is-denied-request-to-withdraw-plea.
- ↑ "Black-Owned Firm Earns Coveted Spot Among California's Top 10 Law Offices". July 13, 2017. https://atlantablackstar.com/2017/07/13/black-owned-firm-earns-coveted-spot-among-californias-top-10-law-offices/.
- ↑ Team, Blavity. "One of L.A.'s Most Influential Attorneys Zulu Ali Will Be Honored For Dedication To Civil Rights - Blavity". https://blavity.com/one-of-las-most-influential-attorneys-zulu-ali-will-be-honored-for-dedication-to-civil-rights.
- ↑ Ali, Law Offices of Zulu. "Attorney Zulu Ali Renamed Top 10 Criminal and Immigration Lawyer by Attorney and Practice Magazine". https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/attorney-zulu-ali-renamed-top-10-criminal-and-immigration-lawyer-by-attorney-and-practice-magazine-301187310.html.
- ↑ Ali, Law Offices of Zulu. "Rue Ratings Best Attorneys of America Selects Attorney Zulu Ali as one of the Nation's Top Attorneys". https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rue-ratings-best-attorneys-of-america-selects-attorney-zulu-ali-as-one-of-the-nations-top-attorneys-300639703.html.
- ↑ LLP, LAW OFFICES OF ZULU ALI & ASSOCIATES. "Attorney Zulu Ali Is Selected As 2020 "Litigator of The Year" By the American Institute of Trial Lawyers". https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/attorney-zulu-ali-is-selected-as-2020-litigator-of-the-year-by-the-american-institute-of-trial-lawyers-301109721.html.
- ↑ "Attorney Zulu Ali Selected As 2020 "Litigator of the Year" By the American Institute of Trial Lawyers". August 31, 2020. https://www.blacknews.com/news/black-attorney-zulu-ali-selected-2020-litigator-of-the-year-american-institute-of-trial-lawyers/.
- ↑ Ali, Zulu. "Attorney Zulu Ali Has Been Inducted into the Prestigious Marquis Who's Who Registry for Excellence in Law and Activism". https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/attorney-zulu-ali-has-been-inducted-into-the-prestigious-marquis-whos-who-registry-for-excellence-in-law-and-activism-301084798.html.
