Paul, Weiss is committed to providing impactful pro bono legal assistance to individuals and organizations in need. Our program is all-encompassing, spanning the core issues facing our society.
Pro Bono Client Granted Commutation of Life Sentence
- Client News
- December 29, 2016
Practices
Paul, Weiss represented a pro bono client in a successful clemency petition. Our client, a 54-year old man from Florida, had been sentenced to life imprisonment under a law that imposes a mandatory life sentence after two or more prior convictions for a felony drug offense. President Obama commuted his sentence on December 19.
Our client has already served more than 11 years in prison and President Obama commuted his sentence from life in prison to 15 years. His expected release date is May 2018. Upon leaving prison, he intends to return to his hometown in Alachua, Florida to be close to his parents and three children. He also intends to mentor at-risk youth in his local community to steer them away from the drug trade and a life of crime.
Paul, Weiss represented the pro bono client in his clemency petition along with Clemency Project 2014, a working group composed of lawyers and advocates.
The Paul, Weiss team included litigation associate Mahalia Cole and litigation partner Geoffrey Chepiga.