Innocence Project Emboldens Next Generation of Lawyers to Get Involved in Wrongful Conviction Work

Meanwhile, several other Innocence Project staff and attorneys spoke to their individual areas of innocence work. Bhavan Sodhi, chief program officer, and Chris Fabricant, director of strategic litigation, discussed litigating unreliable forensic science and eyewitness misidentification, both leading contributors to wrongful convictions — while William Woods, director of intake and case evaluation, and Yosha Gunasekera, intake strategic initiatives attorney, discussed the organization’s comprehensive case evaluation process. Anastasia Heeger, director of post-conviction litigation, emphasized how accurate and reliable science and a commitment to anti-racism guide the Innocence Project’s work – as well as the importance of law firm partnerships in streamlining its efforts. 

“Our work to free the innocent and create fair systems of justice would not be possible without support from our partners at these firms, who assist us at every step of the process from intake to litigation,” said Ms. Gunasekera, who spoke to students at Ropes & Gray. “That’s why we are so excited to share our wrongful conviction work with the summer associates, who may decide to contribute to this life-changing work throughout their careers.”

In its first iteration, the program started with five firms, including Skadden and Weil. It has since grown to eight firms, including four participating for the first time: Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton, Davis Polk & Wardwell, Dechert, and Sullivan & Cromwell. 

These selected law firms have contributed integral support to the Innocence Project’s work over the years, whether through pro bono work, financial assistance, or co-litigation – as was the case in the recent exoneration of Innocence Project client Brian Boles and Charles Collins, who was represented by Ropes & Gray. 

“There was, at one point, close to 13,000 unread letters from individuals requesting our help,” said Mr. Woods, who spoke to students at Sullivan and Skadden. Thanks to partner firms, who assist the intake team in reviewing and making recommendations for every request, the letter response time is now “down to three weeks.”

The Innocence Project plans to further expand the program next summer.

To hear real stories from staff experts and individuals who have firsthand experience with wrongful conviction, book a speaker from the Innocence Project Speakers Bureau.