Hometown: Ogbomosho, Nigeria

Undergraduate Institution and Major: Osun State University, Law

Graduate Institution and Major: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Master’s in Law

Bio: Babatunde is an Attorney from Nigeria with two years of corporate and litigation experience and three years of active bar membership. As a Junior Associate at Ahmed Raji & Co in Abuja, Nigeria, Babatunde worked in the criminal and civil litigation department. In this role, Babatunde was tasked with drafting several documents, including case briefs, witness statements, memorandums, final written addresses, and letters; he also made several court appearances on behalf of the firm’s clients.

Babatunde decided to further his education and take his professional career to another level by pursuing a master’s degree in law; he got into the college of law at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Shortly after starting his master's at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Babatunde served as a Graduate Assistant for Professor Paul Heald in the International Business Transactions class. As a graduate assistant, he worked on surveys and research for his professor.

Babatunde started his state government work journey as a legislative assistant for State Senator Scott Bennett of the 52nd district of Illinois. He worked on constituent cases, outreach organizations, community meetings, policy development, research, and proofreading.

Currently, Babatunde works with the office of the Senate President of Illinois as an Assistant Legal Counsel. In this role, he drafts bills, researches statutes and policies, proofreads memorandums and documents,[US3]  advises senators in committee meetings and hearings, develops policy and drafts memoranda, sits in meetings to ensure compliance with parliamentary rules and regulations, and analyzes bills.

Relevant Professional Experience: Criminal and Civil Litigator, Corporate Practice Attorney, Political Organizer, Legislative Assistant, Assistant Legal Counsel, Lawyering.  

Research Interests: Systemic continuous prosecution of criminals and the issue of recidivism, organizational leadership in criminal justice, and the positive effect of public policy on gun violence.

Professional Affiliations: Nigerian Bar Association – active member, Royal Ambassador of Nigeria – life member, Corporate and Business Law Association – student member, American Bar Association – student member

Volunteer Activities: United Nations Volunteer, Daily Bread Soup Kitchen Champaign/Springfield Volunteer, Urbana Park District Soccer Coach, Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Volunteer.  

Social Media: 

LinkedIn – Babatunde Amao https://www.linkedin.com/in/babatunde-amao-4237a2172

Yahoo mail - amao.elijah@yahoo.com Gmail – amao.elijah@gmail.com