Meet our volunteer graphic design volunteer, Ashley Harris! Ashley is a multitalented photographer and graphic designer who has supported the Great North IP at the Benefit for Innocence and on various design projects. Most recently, she has been working with staff to design brand new Great North IP merch – stay tuned for its upcoming…
Read MoreVolunteer Spotlight: Jacqueline Masse
When the Great North legal team urgently needed an interrogation video transcribed in preparation for a critical hearing, Jacqueline Masse stepped in without hesitation. A paralegal at Taft Law, she spent hours transcribing Great North freed client Cassandra Black Elk’s police interrogation. A challenging task not just because of the time commitment, but because of…
Read MoreVolunteer Spotlight: Maren Reeder
Maren Reeder is a dedicated and hardworking volunteer who supports the Great North Innocence Project in administration and community outreach work. We sat down with Maren to learn more about her volunteer experience so far. Great North Innocence Project: Tell us about yourself. Maren Reeder: have lived in Chanhassen for 22 years with my husband…
Read MoreFarewell to longtime GNIP Board Member Jon Hopeman
Jon Hopeman, longtime Great North Board member, has seen the Great North Innocence Project through numerous stages of organizational development; worked on innocence case litigation, including helping to free innocent Great North client Javon Davis from prison in 2020; and provided critical leadership during times of organizational transition. Current Great North Board Co-Chair Kevin Riach…
Read MoreVolunteer Spotlight: Elissa Mautner
Elissa Mautner is an energetic, dedicated, and passionate volunteer with the Great North Innocence Project. She supports our work in numerous ways as an administrative and events volunteer including fielding inquiries about our work, checking and logging Great North mail, keeping tabs on innocence-related news stories, and providing event support before and during the Benefit…
Read MoreTwo of this year’s Pro Bono Champion Award Winners Reflect on their Innocence Work with the Great North Innocence Project
Mark Bradford and Samuel Lockner make up one half of the 2022 Pro Bono Champions of the Year award winners. Along with Megan Christner and Alexandra Olson, Mark and Sam work with GN-IP staff attorney Jim Mayer representing current client, Robert Kaiser. As of this writing, Robert and his team are preparing for an upcoming…
Read MoreEnterprising undegrad student joins GNIP as development & special events intern
St. Thomas University senior Kiley Golberg recently joined GNIP as our development and special events intern. During her tenure at GNIP, Kiley is supporting the planning and implementation of the 2022 Benefit for Innocence along with other critical advancement processes to support GNIP’s mission. Great North Innocence Project: Tell us about yourself. Where are you…
Read MorePro Bono Champions of the Year Celebrate Successes and Talk Hopes for Their Client
At this year’s Benefit for Innocence, the Great North Innocence Project is debuting a new award, the Pro Bono Champion(s) of the Year Award, to recognize an individual pro bono volunteer or a pro bono team that have contributed significant time, expertise, resources, and passion towards investigating and litigating innocence cases in partnership with our…
Read MoreMeet GNIP’s New Law Clerk: Fionna Ek
During fall 2022, Fionna Ek is joining the Great North Innocence Project as a student law clerk. Fionna will be our office’s intake specialist and screen applications for potential new cases of innocence. Great North Innocence Project: Tell us about yourself. Fionna Ek: My name is Fionna Ek, and I’m a lifelong Midwesterner from the…
Read MoreGNIP visits Dakota Women’s Correctional and Rehabilitation Center
The Dakota Women’s Correctional Rehab Center (DWCRC) in New England, North Dakota, is an unassuming building that looks more like a school than a prison were it not for the barbed wire fencing surrounding the sprawling building. Situated in the rolling hills of a small agricultural town, the prison grounds include large gardens where the…
Read More