Fish & Richardson Team Receives Pro Bono Champions of the Year Award From Great North Innocence Project 

Fish & Richardson is proud to announce that a firm pro bono team has been recognized by Great North Innocence Project (GNIP) as Pro Bono Champions of the Year, an award presented annually to an individual or team of pro bono volunteers “who have demonstrated outstanding commitment, dedicating their time, expertise, and passion to investigating and litigating innocence cases in partnership with the Great North Innocence Project.” 

Led by Principals Michael Kane and Stuart Nelson, the Fish team — which included Associates Kiersten Batzli, Grayson Sundermeir, and Jon Bell and Litigation Paralegal Jodi Soucek — worked for over a year and a half to seek justice for a woman currently serving a 21-year sentence in Minnesota.  

GNIP remarked, “Fish & Richardson’s commitment to this case has been nothing short of extraordinary, and we are honored to recognize their heroic efforts.” 

“When an innocent person goes to prison, the world is a worse place for everyone. It is not fair for the convicted, their family, taxpayers, society, or even any victims. I appreciate the opportunity to do this important work on behalf of our client,” said Nelson. 

Kane added, “It has been a privilege to work alongside GNIP. The justice system failed in this case compounding an already tragic situation.  We are determined to get justice for our client and get her back with her family.” 

GNIP works to identify and remedy wrongful convictions in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. The nonprofit seeks to develop and advocate for reforms to the criminal justice system that will prevent future wrongful convictions, and to educate the public and legal professionals about wrongful convictions. 

Award recipients were honored at GNIP’s 2024 Benefit for Innocence on September 25.