Meet Abayomi Ajaiyeoba Whint: A Champion for Justice and Equity
Abayomi Ajaiyeoba Whint is a distinguished attorney and leader in Brooklyn’s legal community, known for her relentless pursuit of justice and her dedication to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. Born in Nigeria and raised in the United States, Abayomi’s journey has been shaped by a strong sense of fairness and a commitment to making the world a better place for all.
From a young age, Abayomi was inspired by her grandfather, a respected Magistrate Judge, and Chief, who instilled in her the values of justice, equality, and leadership. These values, coupled with the influence of her parents—her father, a dedicated nurse, and her mother, a passionate advocate for children's rights—fueled her determination to follow in her grandfather’s footsteps and pursue a career in law.
Abayomi graduated cum laude from Connecticut College with a B.A. in Psychology, earning multiple honors and scholarships for her academic excellence. She later obtained her J.D. from Rutgers University School of Law-Newark, where she was actively involved in promoting racial justice through her role as Associate Editor of the Race and the Law Review.
Throughout her career, Abayomi has represented a diverse array of clients and handled complex cases in various areas of law, including civil rights, restorative justice, and community development. She has served as an Assistant Corporation Counsel for the NYC Law Department, an Associate at Cantor, Epstein, & Mazzola, Deputy Managing Attorney, Administrative Law Judge and EEO Counselor with the Hearings Division of the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (“OATH”), and most recently, as a Legal Enforcement Attorney with the New York City Fire Department (FDNY).
Abayomi’s work extends beyond the courtroom. She has been a vocal advocate for diversity and inclusion within the FDNY, leading initiatives such as the Fire Commissioner’s Committee on Diversity and Inclusion and the Taskforce on Racial Inclusion and Equity. Her leadership in these areas has helped shape policies that promote a more inclusive and equitable workplace for all FDNY employees.
In addition to her legal work, Abayomi is a certified mediator, arbitrator, and restorative justice circle keeper. She has dedicated countless hours to pro bono work, mentoring young attorneys, and educating the public on issues of social justice. Her commitment to excellence and integrity has earned her numerous accolades and recognition within the legal community.
Abayomi’s vision as a judge is to ensure that every person who enters the courtroom is treated with dignity, respect, and fairness. She believes that the legal system should serve all people equally and that justice should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances. As a judge, she will bring her extensive legal experience, deep commitment to social justice, and passion for community service to the bench, working tirelessly to make Brooklyn a more just and equitable place for all.
“Justice is not just a concept but an active commitment to fairness, equity, and truth in every decision. I believe in a courtroom where every voice is heard, every person is respected, and every decision is made with integrity.”
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"I am committed to a judicial system that embodies fairness, integrity, and transparency. My vision is to create a courtroom environment where every individual is heard, respected, and treated with dignity, regardless of their background or circumstances. I believe in the active pursuit of truth and justice, ensuring that every decision upholds the principles of equity and impartiality. I will work tirelessly to address and eliminate bias, promote inclusion, and maintain the highest standards of judicial accountability. By leveraging technology, restorative practices, and continuous learning, I aim to improve courtroom efficiency and foster public trust in the judiciary. My dedication to justice goes beyond the courtroom; it is about ensuring that the law serves all people fairly and equitably."
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Professional Summary
Attorney with over 15 years of experience championing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, with a passion for leading the development of positive work environments for everyone.
Recent Professional Experience
MPG CONSULTING, Brooklyn, NY
Organizational Consultant/Executive Coach
Jan 2023 - PresentAdvise organizations on implementing best practices to advance DEIB initiatives and optimize impact through data-driven strategies.
Lead restorative practices to heal past harm and resolve workplace challenges.
NEW YORK CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT, Brooklyn, NY
Legal Enforcement Attorney
2017 - PresentRepresent FDNY in hearings before the NYC Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings in both hearings and appeals.
Serve as Counsel for the Bureau of Fire Prevention, providing leadership and guidance in strategic planning, policy, and practices.
Office of Diversity and Inclusion Liaison
2017 - 2022Coordinated, designed, and participated in diversity and inclusion initiatives.
Served on the Fire Commissioner’s Committee on Diversity and Inclusion.
Led and collaborated with Employee Resource Groups (ERG) and Affiliated Organizations, Diversity and Inclusion Advocates, and key stakeholders to implement FDNY’s DEI Strategic Plan.
Developed messaging initiatives to educate over 17,000 employees on DEI.
Led restorative justice circles to support Courageous Conversations on racial inclusion.
Served as a member of the Taskforce on Racial Inclusion and Equity.
Facilitated Bravest Women Talks, Women’s Summit talks, and initiatives.
Led “10-Talks,” FDNY’s version of Ted Talks.
Led mindfulness and well-being practices at FDNY and other NYC agencies.
Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives
Developed “Interrupting Implicit Bias: Promoting Wellness and Inclusive Leadership” training (Jan 2023 - Present).
Led CONNECT (Civilians Organized Network Nurturing Excellence, Community, and Trust) ERG by collaborating with key stakeholders (Sep 2019 - 2022).
Led Judicial Training Academy (“Improving Judicial Diversity”), MBBA (Dec 2021 - Present).
Led Mindfulness and Implicit Bias Session – FDNY Mindful Mondays (Dec 2020).
Led Supporting Women Panel – NYC Women to Women Summit (May 2019).
“10 Talks” Panelist – Building a Beloved Community – Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King event (Jan 2019).
Courageous Conversations:
Restorative Justice NYC Roundtable (Apr 2021).
Uniting Against Hate and Celebrating Diverse Stories within the AAPI Community (May 2021).
Combating Racism – Legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King (Jan 2021).
Racial Inclusion and Ways to Support Racial Healing, Hinshaw & Culbertson (Jul 2020).
Leadership on Racial Inclusion, NYC Law Department (Aug 2019).
Mindfulness and Well-Being:
Led Mindfulness practice, Mindful Mondays, at PBS (2023).
Well-Being and Mindfulness Tools to Support Inclusion, NYC Bar Association (Aug 2020).
How Wellness Supports Inclusion, “Harvesting Joy,” NYC Law Department (Dec 2020).
“Wellness, Inclusion and the Practice of Joy,” NYC Law Department (Dec 2019).
Certifications
Google Project Management Professional Certificate, Apr 2023.
Parsons School of Design, the New School on Coursera: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Organizational Leaders, Specialization Certificate, Jun 2023.
Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations: Diversity and Inclusion Certificate, Aug 2021.
Planning Change: Restorative Justice Circle Keeper Certification, Jun 2019.
Institute of Mediation and Conflict Resolution: Certified Mediator, Aug 2009.
Small Claims Arbitrators Association: Certified Arbitrator, Mar 2010.
Other Professional Experience
NEW YORK OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE TRIALS & HEARINGS, New York, NY
Deputy Managing Attorney/EEO Counselor
2011 - 2017Counseled, mediated, and investigated employment discrimination, bias harassment, and other claims under the NYC Human Rights Law.
Conducted EEO educational sessions and related trainings.
Managed operation of the administrative tribunal, overseeing procedures and protocols to ensure fair hearings and timely decisions.
Maintained and supported performance metrics for staff productivity; provided leadership for key stakeholders.
Hearing Officer
2010 - 2011Conducted administrative hearings and wrote decisions in quality-of-life cases.
PRIVATE PRACTICE, New York, NY
General Practitioner
2009 - 2011Provided litigation, mediation, and arbitration services for bankruptcy, real estate, malpractice, contracts, small claims, tax, family law, and other matters pending in local, state, and federal tribunals.
CANTOR, EPSTEIN, & MAZZOLA, LLP, New York, NY
Associate
2007 - 2009Represented clients in real estate and commercial litigation with a concentration in cooperative and condominium law.
Handled housing and reasonable accommodation discrimination claims and wrongful terminations.
NEW YORK CITY LAW DEPARTMENT-ADMINISTRATIVE LAW DIVISION, New York, NY
Assistant Corporation Counsel
2004 - 2007Litigated cases for city agencies in state and federal courts involving tax and relocation liens, consumer protection laws, construction and zoning laws, environmental laws, and administrative code violations.
TOURO COLLEGE, SCHOOL OF CAREER AND APPLIED STUDIES-EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, New York, NY
Adjunct Lecturer
2009 - 2015Lectured a diverse student body on “Psychosocial Foundations of Growth and Development.”
Provided educational tools and development for legal analysis, critical thinking, and research supporting emotional intelligence and inclusion.
Education
RUTGERS UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW-NEWARK, Newark, NJ
J.D., May 2004Honors: Race and the Law Review, Associate Editor
CONNECTICUT COLLEGE, New London, CT
B.A., cum laude, Distinction in Psychology, May 1989Honors: Dean’s List; Helen Lehman Buttenweiser Scholar; Port Authority Scholarship; National Collegiate Award
Bar Admission
New York