Volunteer Spotlight: Jodi Soucek

Jodi Soucek is a paralegal at Fish & Richardson, and a part of the pro bono team working with GNIP on the case of innocent, incarcerated client, Jennifer Baldwin. She provides critical legal support to the entire team as they together pursue justice for Jennifer, who has been wrongfully incarcerated since 2019. Great North Innocence…

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Taft attorneys support justice for GNIP client

Aaron Thomas, a partner at Taft Law, and Trish Palermo, an associate attorney at Taft Law, are volunteering with the Great North Innocence Project to support exonerated client Marvin Haynes as he pursues justice and compensation after his wrongful conviction. Both are generously contributing their legal acumen and passion for justice pro bono to ensure…

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Volunteer Spotlight: Pauline Lex

Pauline Lex is an active GNIP volunteer who has contributed her skills and knowledge in numerous important ways. She contributed to spreading the word about GNIP’s mission as an outreach volunteer and served as a member of the Benefit for Innocence Committee in 2023. Learn more about Pauline’s ongoing partnership with GNIP. Great North Innocence…

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Volunteer Spotlight: Catherine Lipinsky

Catherine Lipinsky is a valuable member of the Great North Innocence Project volunteer community. She’s contributed to GNIP’s mission as a member of the Benefit for Innocence Committee and worked with GNIP freed client Tom Rhodes to launch his digital art gallery, Thomas D Galleries. Great North Innocence Project: Tell us about yourself. Catherine Lipinsky:…

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Volunteer Spotlight: Sydney Dobbs

In this month’s volunteer spotlight, we are honored to feature Sydney Dobbs, a dedicated member of the Great North Innocence Project community. A Minnesota native and mother of three, Sydney discovered her passion for criminal justice reform through her involvement in the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI) where she worked in adolescent corrections.  Sydney learned…

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GNIP legal intern reflects on first-hand post-conviction litigation experience

Summer legal intern, Anna Mae Engel, accompanied GNIP’s managing attorney, Andrew Markquart, to Mississippi to support during the evidentiary hearing for GNIP’s client, Amy Wilkerson. Amy has been incarcerated for a crime that she did not commit for 18 years. Below, Anna Mae details what it was like as a law student to attend the…

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Welcoming GNIP’s newest Board members

The Great North Innocence Project is thrilled to welcome three new Board members to our already incredible team of leaders. With the addition of Dr. Susan Roe, Jazz Hampton, and Benjamin Vickers, our Board is gaining important perspectives in the areas of forensic pathology, organizational development, marketing, community engagement, diversity and inclusion, and law. Dr….

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Volunteer of the Month: Stuart Nelson

Stuart Nelson is a Principal at Fish & Richardson’s Minneapolis office. With support from his firm, Stuart and a team of pro bono attorneys from Fish are dedicating significant time and legal expertise to one of GNIP’s open cases and supporting Managing Attorney Andrew Markquart and Legal Fellow Anna McGinn. Stuart shared that, “Fish’s support…

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Volunteer Spotlight: Jack Reuler

Founder and former executive director of Mixed Blood Theatre, Jack Reuler is generously donating some of wisdom and time to the Great North Innocence Project. As an expert in the arts, performance, media, and non-profits, he has already supported GNIP’s staff on a number of projects. Currently, he is co-creating the new GN-IP Volunteer Speaker’s…

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Three legal interns join the Great North IP team for the summer

Ambika Patpatia, Anna Mae Engel, and Vinvent Dinolfo, are law students working with the Great North Innocence Project’s legal team this summer to investigate and litigate innocence cases. In this role, Ambika, Anna Mae, and Vincent are interviewing witnesses, investigating case details, supporting attorneys during hearings, and conducting research. Great North Innocence Project: Tell us…

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