Vera Institute of Justice

Tali Farhadian Weinstein is a Legal Analyst for NBC News and MSNBC. She is also an Adjunct Professor of Law at New York University School of Law, where she has taught courses on criminal justice reform and innovation since 2017, and was a Distinguished Senior Fellow at the Center on the Administration of Criminal Law from 2017-2018.

Most recently, Tali ran for election in 2021 to be New York County District Attorney. Prior, she served as the General Counsel of the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office, one of the largest prosecutors’ offices in the country and which, under the leadership of Eric Gonzalez, is regarded as a national model for reform alongside keeping crime – especially violent crime – at records lows for the borough. In this role, Tali served as a close advisor to the District Attorney, and was an important part of the leadership team charged with implementing the office’s reform agenda. Throughout Barack Obama’s presidency, Tali worked at the U.S. Department of Justice, first as Counsel to Attorney General Eric Holder, and then as a federal prosecutor. As an Assistant U.S. Attorney, Tali investigated and prosecuted cases ranging from gun violence and murders to public corruption, tax and other frauds, and national security matters. Tali began her legal career as a law clerk for Judge Merrick Garland and for Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor.

Tali and her family came to America on Christmas Eve 1979 as refugees fleeing the violence and antisemitism of revolutionary Iran. Tali’s parents left everything behind so she could grow up experiencing safety, fairness and justice, and she in turn has dedicated her life to fighting for those principles; from serving the country that gave her refuge, opportunity, and freedom, to standing up as a champion for those who face vulnerability and violence in their lives. Tali lives in New York City with her husband and three daughters.