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11/14/02 RYAN, NORTHWESTERN HONOR STUDENTS FOR WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS WORK

Past and present law and journalism students, volunteers and others who worked to uncover wrongful convictions gathered at Northwestern University School of Law, where they were honored by the Illinois governor who has taken several bold steps to address the state's growing number of wrongful convictions.

The tribute took place during the Law School's Public Interest Week (Nov. 11-14). Illinois Gov. George Ryan (right) delivered the keynote address at 12:15 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 14, at the Law School.

"The extent to which students and volunteers play roles in overturning wrongful convictions is remarkable," said Lawrence Marshall (below), the Northwestern Law professor who is internationally recognized for his pioneering work on behalf of the wrongfully convicted. "In several cases, innocent men would have been executed but for the passion of students and extraordinary luck."

Marshall emphasized that even with the creation of Northwestern's Center on Wrongful Convictions luck still plays a vital role in turning around cases that can be extremely costly and complicated.

"We still receive so many more requests for assistance than we could possibly handle," he said. "But thanks to students, volunteers and a fair number of miracles over the years, exonerations have come a long way."

But even so, he said, "innocent individuals sit on death row today, and some of them never will be lucky enough to have the truth emerge in time."

Marshall is legal director of the Center on Wrongful Convictions, which is part of the School of Law's Bluhm Legal Clinic. Research conducted by the center contributed significantly to Ryan's decision to instate a death penalty moratorium and establish a committee to investigate the causes and possible remedies of wrongful convictions. Clinic faculty, students and lawyers have been actively involved in the recent clemency hearings in which Ryan has been reviewing all death row cases in Illinois.

"Despite all the debates regarding proper punishment of the guilty, everyone agrees that we must ensure that the innocent are not convicted, imprisoned or, worst of all, executed," Marshall said.

According to David Van Zandt, dean and professor at Northwestern University School of Law, "The work that the center has focused on is an excellent example of the ways lawyers can and must effect change in our laws and legal institutions.

"We want to inspire in all our students a commitment to public service regardless of what career path they choose. Public Interest Law Week is a forum to explore these options."

Public Interest Law Week introduces students and legal professionals to the opportunities and challenges of public service through a variety of panel discussions. Other topics that will be discussed throughout the week include separation of church and state, regulation of police misconduct, lawyering for the government and pro bono work.

During Public Interest Law Week, the School of Law also will unveil its new Public Service Strategy, a student led initiative to reinforce students' commitment to public service through a combination of community service projects and pro bono law work.

The week's activities will end with a silent auction and reception at 6 p.m. Nov. 14 to benefit the Student Funded Public Interest Fellowships. SFPIF, a non-profit organization run entirely by Northwestern law students, is dedicated to funding law students working in unpaid positions at public interest organizations during the summer. In 2002, 16 grants were awarded and a total of $50,000 was distributed to students working at agencies such as the World Organization Against Torture, Environmental Protection Agency, National Center on Poverty Law, U.S. Attorney's Office and Midwest Immigrants and Human Rights Center.

Sponsors of Public Interest Law Week include Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw; Latham & Watkins; and McAndrews, Held & Malloy, Ltd.

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