Mehdi Hakimi is the Executive Director of the Rule of Law Program at Stanford Law School. He develops and implements projects in Afghanistan, Iraq, Cambodia, and Rwanda. Mehdi manages a $7.2-million grant from the U.S. Department of State. As Lecturer in Law at Stanford, he also teaches seminars on rule of law and legal education.

Prior to joining Stanford Law School, Mehdi was the Chair of the Law Department at the American University of Afghanistan (AUAF). In addition to teaching various courses, Mehdi founded and directed AUAF’s Business Law Clinic Program providing pro bono legal services and trainings to organizations in Kabul. He also established AUAF’s Moot Court Program guiding AUAF to the semi-finals of the Pan-Asian Division in the Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot in 2016.

Mehdi has worked with various organizations on international development and human rights issues. In collaboration with The Asia Foundation, he has designed and directed legal and educational programs in developing countries. Mehdi has also provided expert testimony on immigration and refugee cases, including country guidance cases before the UK Upper Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber).

A native of Afghanistan, Mehdi completed his post-secondary studies in Canada earning his J.D. and M.B.A. from the University of Ottawa and his B.A. from Carleton University. A licensed attorney in Canada, Mehdi practiced litigation, international trade and business law at a major Canadian law firm.