Laura Jarrett is an American lawyer and journalist who works as a reporter for CNN and is based in Washington D.C. She joined CNN in 2016 after working in private practice as a litigation attorney in Chicago, Illinois. Jarrett's legal work focused on defending companies and individuals against investigations by the SEC and the Justice Department. Jarrett attended Amherst University and graduated from Harvard Law School in 2010. While in law school, she worked as an article editor and technical editor for the Harvard Journal of Law and Gender, publishing articles relating to gender, violence, and law.
Before being admitted to both the state and federal bar, Jarrett served as a judicial law clerk for the Honorable Rebecca Pallmeyer on the Northern District of Illinois and the Honorable Ann C. Williams on the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. Laura Jarrett's mother, Valerie Jarrett, is the former Senior Advisor to former President Barack Obama.
In 2012, Laura Jarrett was married to Tony Balkissoon, a Canadian politician, in Chicago. Eric Holder and Barack Obama were among the dignitaries present at the event. Jarrett says she aspires to have the wisdom and grace of her mother and wants to work on promoting civil rights and social equality for women and minorities.
Laura Jarrett, an accomplished American lawyer and journalist, has a rich academic background. She pursued her undergraduate studies at Amherst University, where she honed her analytical and critical thinking skills. During her time at Harvard Law School, she was an active member of the Harvard Journal of Law and Gender, serving in key editorial roles and contributing articles on pressing issues of gender, violence, and law.
Following her graduation from law school, Jarrett gained valuable experience as a judicial law clerk, working under two respected judges: the Honorable Rebecca Pallmeyer and the Honorable Ann C. Williams. This exposure to the intricacies of the legal system gave her a strong foundation for her subsequent career as a litigation attorney in Chicago, Illinois, where she defended clients in high-stakes investigations involving the SEC and the Justice Department.
In 2016, Jarrett made the transition to journalism and joined CNN as a reporter. Based in Washington D.C., she now covers important legal and political events, utilizing her unique perspective as a lawyer. This has enabled her to provide insightful analysis and in-depth reporting on complex legal issues.
As the daughter of Valerie Jarrett, former Senior Advisor to President Barack Obama, Laura has a strong connection to politics and public service. Her 2012 wedding to Canadian politician Tony Balkissoon further solidified these ties, as notable figures like Eric Holder and Barack Obama were in attendance.
With a passion for civil rights and social equality, Laura Jarrett strives to emulate her mother's wisdom and grace. She is committed to using her platform as a journalist to advocate for the rights of women and minorities, working to create a more inclusive and just society.
| Net Worth 2021: | 2.5 million |
