BALTIMORE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A pro bono team from Hogan Lovells is co-counseling with Baltimore defense attorney Justin Brown to represent Adnan Syed, who was granted a new trial on 30 June.
Syed, profiled in the popular podcast Serial, was convicted of the 1999 murder of his former girlfriend and Woodlawn High School student Hae Min Lee. In vacating the conviction and ordering a new trial, Baltimore City Circuit Judge Martin Welch cited failures on the part of Syed’s previous lawyer as well as unreliable cell phone location data that was used to place Syed near an area where Lee was buried.
“If the state elects to proceed with a retrial, we intend to tap into our extensive trial experience and many years of handling innocence cases to work to ensure that Adnan receives the best legal defense possible,” said Steve Barley, Hogan Lovells’ Office Managing Partner in Baltimore. Steve is recognized as one of Maryland's top trial lawyers.
Hogan Lovells Pro Bono Partner T. Clark Weymouth added: “We are happy to assist Mr. Brown in his defense of Adnan Syed. It’s no secret that many of those subjected to our criminal justice system lack the resources to mount an effective defense. Where, as here, the system fails, the private bar must help to protect the accused's right to a fair trial.”
“I’m delighted that Hogan Lovells has agreed to co-counsel with me on Adnan’s defense,” said Justin Brown, who has represented Syed for the past seven years. “The firm’s substantial litigation experience in Baltimore, coupled with its successful track record in innocence cases, makes them the ideal firm to help get Adnan out of prison.”
The defense of Mr. Syed is the latest addition to Hogan Lovells’ long list of pro bono representations of those who have been wrongly incarcerated. The firm’s past work has led to the release of Derek Tice, whose murder conviction was based on a coerced confession; Thomas Haynesworth, who served nearly 27 years in prison after being misidentified as a serial rapist; and Johnathan Montgomery, whose accuser fabricated a story of sexual assault. The Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project recognized the firm with awards in 2014 and 2010, respectively, for its work on behalf of Montgomery and Tice. Hogan Lovells is also currently representing Anthony Gibson, whose murder conviction was a result of ineffective assistance of counsel and a violation of his due process rights, and Curtis Flowers, who is on death row after being tried six times for the same crimes.
About Hogan Lovells
Hogan Lovells is a leading global legal practice providing business-oriented legal advice and high-quality service across its exceptional breadth of practices to clients around the world. “Hogan Lovells” or the “firm” is an international legal practice that includes Hogan Lovells US LLP and Hogan Lovells International LLP. For more information, see www.hoganlovells.com.
About Brown & Nieto
Brown & Nieto, based in Baltimore, Maryland, provides personal, high-quality legal representation to clients throughout the state of Maryland. The firm handles a vast range of criminal matters, including federal criminal defense, post-conviction and white collar defense. For more information, see www.cjbrownlaw.com.
