Shahiedah Shabazz

Previous Work

Shahiedah brings over 10 years of experience to her practice at Arent Fox.  Before joining Arent Fox, Shahiedah worked at the Los Angeles County Counsel’s Office for four years, where she helped to develop local cannabis policy, monitored developments in cannabis law and policy within federal, state and local government agencies, and prosecuted unlicensed dispensaries. She also served as in-house counsel to the County Auditor-Controller and the Treasurer and Tax Collector, and successfully defended the County against multiple lawsuits. Between stints at the County Counsel, Shahiedah worked as a deputy city attorney to several cities, where she primarily focused on land use, the California Environmental Quality Act, and writ litigation. In addition to extensive experience in land use and cannabis law, Shahiedah has advised clients in the areas of real estate, business transactions and nonprofit law, and trademark law.

Professional Activities

Shahiedah  is  dedicated  to  improving  access  to  legal  and  government  resources,  especially  in  low-income  and  minority  communities. She is a former committee chair of the Black Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles, Inc., and served on the California Minority Counsel Program (CMCP) 2020 Annual Business Conference Planning Committee. She is also a former Commissioner of the Los Angeles Convention and Exhibition Center Authority.

Publications, Presentations & Recognitions

Recent Speaking Engagements:

• Panelist, Electronic Transactions Association “Politics & Payments” 2020 Post-Election Panel on Cannabis Policy (virtual)
• Panelist, California Minority Counsel Program September 2020 Annual Business Conference, “Does Legal Cannabis Present a Level Playing Field for Minorities?” (virtual)
• Panelist, Black Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles and Association of Black Women Physicians 2020 Joint Symposium, “Cannabis Update” (virtual)