MSU Law Alum Wesam Shahed Delivers TED Talk

By Jake Jenkins

Dec. 22, 2022

Wesam Shahed, ’20, recently delivered a speech that was broadcasted on the world-renowned TEDx Talk platform and was posted to their YouTube channel on Dec. 15. 

A TEDx talk is a recorded public-speaking presentation that was originally given at the main TED (technology, entertainment, and design) annual event or one of its many satellite events around the world. TED is a nonprofit devoted to spreading ideas, usually in the form of short, powerful talks, often called "TED talks."

“Being able to give a TEDx Talk, truly was a humbling and surreal experience,” said Shahed. “I was wondering how my idea would be received and would it motivate/move people’s hearts. When I gave the Talk, the audience was so engaged and even after the Talk people are reaching out talking about how compelling it is.”

Shahed serves as an Assistant State’s Attorney at the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office (CCSAO) the second-largest prosecutor’s office in the US. During his presentation, he discusses how being a prosecutor is not all about “guilty or not guilty”, but more so of how the community can be greatly benefitted.

He shares a story of a teenager named Chris who, if convicted, would have had a very different life than the one his mother envisioned for him. Chris’ trouble was the result of a one-time mistake rather than habitual wrong-doing. As the prosecutor, Shahed dug deeper into Chris’ story and ultimately decided that the youth would benefit from a second chance – and be ruined by a conviction.

“I became a public servant to help people like Chris, to make a genuine impact on people’s lives,” said Shahed. “Being able to share his story, talk about alternative prosecution methods, and tackling mass incarceration are important conversations that need to be had.”

As Shahed continues to serve his community, he wants potential attorneys to know what goes into this area of law.

“Make sure you love the public service life and this profession because you are going to spend more time working then you will with your family/friends,” said Shahed. “The public servant life can be difficult at times. There’s a huge workload with not much pay, and you carry a heavy burden as the decisions you make can change a life forever for either better or worse. However, the moments in which you make a difference and change someone’s life for the better, they are unforgettable.”

Shahed has not only been recognized as one of the most promising young talents in the CCSAO, but he has also been internationally recognized in the Arab American Foundation’s “30 Under 30.” He was the Finance Chairmen for the first Muslim and Palestinian American to be nominated by the Democratic Party into Illinois’s House Legislature in June 2022. Shahed earned his B.A. in Pre-Law: Business Management from Loyola University Chicago. He holds executive leadership positions for the Arab American Bar Association, the Illinois Muslim Civic Coalition, the Arab American Democratic Club, and the Chicago Palestinian Film Festival.

To watch Shahed’s Tedx Talk, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSWTvc75iTY