RAMIN FATEHI ’96

NEW NORFOLK COMMONWEALTH’S ATTORNEY

When Ramin Fatehi ’96 was running for Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney, he noticed a recurring theme. Voters didn’t necessarily agree with all his political positions. But they told him they trusted he’d be honest. That integrity helped Fatehi win a tough Democratic primary. He didn’t have an opponent in the general election and took over his new position in January.

Fatehi has developed that integrity throughout his career as a prosecutor, by owning up to mistakes. It’s a character trait that took root during his years at Norfolk Academy.

“Above all, it’s honor,” Fatehi said, thinking back on what Academy taught him about integrity. “If we didn’t have our honor, we were nothing.”

Fatehi participated in many school activities. He played tennis and wrestled. He was part of the Chamber and Academy Singers. He was co-editor of the Belfry. He participated in the Science Fiction, REACH, JETS, and Chess clubs.

He also excelled academically. His Senior Speech, about the need for American intervention to support human rights campaigns abroad and stop genocide, won the Class of 1952 Award, given at graduation to the senior who is chosen as the best speaker by a panel of outside judges. He also won the William Selden Memorial Award for excellence in the study of history.

But what made him stand out was his selfless devotion.

Richard Oberdorfer taught Fatehi in European History. Oberdorfer recalls Fatehi as mature beyond his years, writing and speaking calmly and rationally.

But more notably, Oberdorfer remembers Fatehi volunteering to help him with a textbook he uses to bring to life historical stories. Fatehi redesigned roughly 120 pages so the book would make a better impact on future students.

“He was a brilliant student,” Oberdorfer said. “That was a given. But a great person. Selfless, ethical. It’s a privilege to have someone like that in your class.”

Paul Feakins was Fatehi’s college counselor and taught him in political science. Like Oberdorfer, Feakins remembers Fatehi’s intellect. He often anticipated questions in class and was a strong contributor, giving insightful, engaged responses.

Feakins also remembers Fatehi using his intellect to improve the class as a whole. He sensed Fatehi was destined to enter a field that helped others. “I knew he was going to do something big,” Feakins said.

After graduating from Academy, Fatehi earned his bachelor’s degree in history at Yale University, then a law degree at Columbia Law School in New York City. After law school, he served as a clerk to the Hon. Elizabeth B. Lacy, the first woman appointed to the Supreme Court of Virginia.

He has served as a prosecutor since 2006, including most of the past decade in the Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office.

When he talks about his plans for the next four years, Fatehi references the opening lines of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s masterpiece, The Great Gatsby: “In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I’ve been turning over in my mind ever since. ‘Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone,’ he told me, ‘just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had.’”

Fatehi isn’t shy about saying he has been blessed with certain advantages in life — loving parents and access to education at premier schools, to name a few. He believes that the criminal justice system has too often given breaks to fortunate people that should be available to all people, fortunate or not.

His goal is to bring justice to court cases and policy by providing an even playing field for the less fortunate. “Ensure that every one of us gets treated with the dignity we deserve,” Fatehi said.

That certainly won’t be easy, Fatehi said. But he’s honored that he has been elected in the city where he grew up, trusted to serve the people. “Happiness comes from overcoming challenges and vanquishing adversity,” Fatehi said. “That is what being a public servant is.” ◆

TOP: Ramin Fatehi ’96 was a member of both the Chamber and Academy Singers when he attended NA. MIDDLE: Ramin and his wife, Mary Beth, with their two young sons. BOTTOM: Ramin played tennis and wrestled at Academy.