MOMENTS IN TIME
Our late partner Tom Sullivan was one of the fathers of the firm’s industry-leading pro bono program. In the 1950s, Tom, along with colleagues Prentice Marshall and Jerold Solovy, launched the firm’s commitment to defending indigent criminal defendants. They joined and Tom later chaired the Chicago Bar Association Defense of Prisoners Committee. Sadly, Tom passed away in May 2021 at the age of 91. He left an enduring legacy. That legacy is showcased in these videos, which highlight recent pro bono clients whom we have been privileged to represent.
2021: Justice for Kenneth Smith
For 15 years, Jenner & Block partner David Jimenez-Ekman represented pro bono client Ken Smith through a second trial, a direct appeal, a third trial, another direct appeal, and a federal habeas petition before securing Ken’s release from prison for a murder and armed robbery he did not commit. Hear from David and partner Katie McLaughlin in this video.
2021: Life-Altering Experiences in Pro Bono Partnerships
For several years, Jenner & Block has been collaborating with McDonald’s Corporation and the National Immigration Justice Center in achieving asylum for several pro bono clients. Hear from Jenner & Block Partner Wade Thomson; Senior Counsel at McDonald’s Jane Mansell, Stephanie Hipp, and Pauline Levy; and NIJC Executive Director Mary Meg McCarthy on how pro bono partnering can make a big impact on the lives of all involved.
2021: Efforts in Afghanistan Touch Individuals in a Humanitarian Crisis
Jenner & Block has teams of lawyers assisting individuals and organizations navigating the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. In this video, London partners Lucy Blake and Paul Feldberg talk about their work in helping resettle Afghan refugees.
2020: Our $250m Pro Bono Commitment
In 2020, we reaffirmed our role as an international leader in pro bono through a five-year commitment (2021 – 2025) to provide $250 million in free legal services to those in need of access to justice.
2019: Justice for Camilla
In 2013, Camilla left her native country Mexico to work in the United States. But instead of a new life, Camilla discovered that she had been trafficked into an unimaginable work environment. She sought help from the non-profit Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation, which then turned to Jenner & Block. Pursuing justice for Camilla, the team drafted a complaint asserting claims for breach of contract, violations of the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act, and violations of the Illinois Gender Violence Act.
2019: Patrick Pursley
Patrick Pursley was convicted of murder in a 1994 jury trial in which the state relied heavily on the testimony of a state ballistics examiner that a firearm attributed to Mr. Pursley fired the bullets and cartridge cases found at the crime scene. New evidence, however, showed conclusively that this firearm was not the one used in the crime. For over a decade, a firm team worked on behalf of Mr. Pursley to win a new trial and then prevail at that new trial, exonerating Mr. Pursley after over 23 years in prison.
2019: Vindicating the Rights of Guantánamo Bay Defense Lawyers
Civilian lawyers Mary Spears and Rosa Eliades represented Abd al-Rahim Hussein Muhammad al-Nashiri, the alleged mastermind of the attack on the United States Navy destroyer USS Cole. In 2017, they resigned as counsel on ethical grounds after discovering intrusions into the attorney-client privilege. Later that year, the now-retired military judge overseeing the case ordered that the two lawyers continue to serve, threatening them with arrest to force them to return to defend their former client. A firm team across three offices successfully represented Ms. Spears and Ms. Eliades, preventing their arrest and preserving their resignation from the case.
2019: Centrepoint
In 2019, members of the firm’s London office connected with Centrepoint, the United Kingdom’s leading youth homelessness charity. The team provides pro bono governance and risk management advice to Centrepoint’s board of trustees.
2018: Aaron Holzmueller
We represented Aaron Holzmueller, who has cerebral palsy, in his fight to compel the Illinois High School Association to institute a para-ambulatory division for the state track meet so that these athletes could have an opportunity to compete in the season’s showcase event. In 2018, a Seventh Circuit panel affirmed a lower court’s opinion in favor of the IHSA. Aaron later graduated from high school and competes in track and cross-country at Beloit College in Wisconsin.
2018: Jean B
Jean B., a high school history and geography teacher in the Republic of Congo, was part of the leadership of a teacher’s union in the country. After several interrogations, beatings, and threats to his life from the Congolese government, Mr. B. fled to the United States. The National Immigrant Justice Center referred his asylum case to a team from Jenner & Block and the McDonald’s Corporation.
2017: The Ramirez Sisters
Karen and Greta Ramirez’s lives were forever changed when their father murdered their mother in 2011. Greta, then 9, and Karen, then 19, were effectively orphans. With legal issues ranging from title changes to taxes, immigration, and child custody, the firm has maintained a close relationship with the sisters and helped them navigate their journey to adulthood.
2017: Adam Gray
Adam Gray was 14 in 1993 when he was arrested and charged with starting a fatal fire that killed two elderly people in a Chicago apartment. He was convicted and sentenced to mandatory life in prison without parole. The firm began representing him in 2010, and developed evidence showing that the fire was not caused by arson, and thus, that Mr. Gray was innocent. In 2016, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office announced it would join Mr. Gray’s request for a retrial. In 2017, then-Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx announced that the State would voluntarily dismiss the charges against Mr. Gray. The court approved the dismissal on May 3, 2017, and Mr. Gray was released from prison that day.
2016: Jesse Webster
In 1996, Jesse Webster was convicted of conspiracy, attempt to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, and filing false tax returns. Even though he was a first-time offender, had no weapon, no drugs, and no money when he was caught up in the aborted drug deal, he qualified for a life sentence under mandatory minimum sentencing guidelines in place at the time. In 2016, Mr. Webster was granted executive clemency after serving 20 years of a life sentence. Mr. Webster recently earned his associates degree and has launched his own business doing life coaching and motivational speaking.
2015: Johnnie Lee Savory
Johnnie Lee Savory was 14 years old in 1977 when he was accused, tried as an adult, and convicted of two murder charges. He has maintained his innocence. Jenner & Block began representing Mr. Savory in 2001, pursuing his claims of innocence and seeking DNA testing in a number of forums. Mr. Savory was released on parole in 2006. By then, he had served almost 30 years in prison. The remaining 34 months of his sentence were commuted in December 2011. In January 2015, the Illinois governor granted him executive clemency, an action that resulted from a petition originally filed by the firm in 2003.