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 that Marvin is eventually able to access important resources after nearly two decades of wrongful imprisonment.
Trish worked on Marvin’s case during her second and third years of law school at the University of Minnesota as part of the university’s Innocence Clinic, which Great North Innocence Project’s attorneys lead.
Trish shared, “I am incredibly grateful to have been able to continue working with Marvin after his exoneration in my role as an associate at Taft. The most meaningful part of this work has been the opportunity to work with Marvin through multiple stages of his case. Whether it was when he was incarcerated, post-exoneration, or now as he begins the process of pursuing his civil rights claims, one thing has remained the same — despite everything he has gone through, Marvin is one of the most genuinely kind and positive people I have ever met.”
Trish also emphasized the impact that partnering with Marvin at this stage of his legal process has had on her personal and professional values. She said, “Working with Marvin has reinforced my commitment to pro bono work as his case is a clear example of the profound impact justice can have on individual lives.”
Aaron reflected on why he was moved to volunteer with the Great North Innocence Project specifically, and why contributing pro bono time to innocence work is important to him. He shared, “As attorneys, we have a unique obligation to support and guide the administration of justice. Because there is no greater injustice than a wrongful conviction, the importance of GNIP’s work to the integrity of our justice system, and all those who serve it, cannot be overstated. It has been humbling, and great privilege, to work with such dedicated and talented advocates and to be even a small part of Marvin’s remarkable journey towards justice.”
Thank you to Aaron, Trish, and Taft Law for your significant and impactful contributions to GNIP’s mission and to Marvin’s pursuit for justice and accountability for his wrongful conviction.
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