Zeeshan Bhatti

I grew up in the Punjab region of Pakistan. I moved to the U.S. when I was seventeen and have lived all over the country. I take great pride in my Punjabi, Pakistani, and Muslim identities, and in being an immigrant (We get the job done!).

I attended the University of Michigan and the University of Florida as a business major and got my MBA from UF. I worked in the business world for a number of years, in marketing and management roles. I wanted to do something more meaningful and made the transition to nonprofit work, in communications and management roles.

Though I enjoyed my nonprofit work, I had always wanted to go to law school, partly because I thought I would enjoy learning about the law (especially law and religion, legal history and theory, and philosophy of law), and partly because I wanted a more intellectually stimulating way to do my bit for the common good.

I have long believed our criminal justice system is working exactly as it was designed — to control and oppress people of color, the poor, immigrants, women, and gender minorities. Before coming to law school I worked as an investigator at a Federal Public Defender’s Office. I absolutely loved the work, especially the amazing clients I had the privilege to assist. I hope to continue working in indigent criminal defense. I would also like to do some prison reform work. And I have intellectual interests that may take me back to school at some point.

The people who make OPICS happen (and run the Blume Program) are extraordinary individuals. They are in our corner every single day.