Stuart Nelson is a Principal at Fish & Richardson’s Minneapolis office. With support from his firm, Stuart and a team of pro bono attorneys from Fish are dedicating significant time and legal expertise to one of GNIP’s open cases and supporting Managing Attorney Andrew Markquart and Legal Fellow Anna McGinn. Stuart shared that, “Fish’s support on this case has been wonderful, and it shows a real commitment to the importance of pro bono work.”
We’re incredibly grateful to Stuart and Fish & Richardson’s generous donation of time and experience to work alongside GNIP as we attempt to free another innocent person from prison.
Great North Innocence Project: Tell us about yourself.
Stuart Nelson: I was born, raised, and educated (including engineering school and law school) in Minnesota. I have worked professionally as a patent lawyer for many years, and also as a pro bono lawyer in the spaces of immigration, housing, expungement, and also patents.
GNIP: What do you do as a pro bono volunteer with GNIP?
SN: With GNIP, we are working to free a woman who was wrongfully convicted. We are currently researching and working with experts to gather evidence to show that the conviction was based on false evidence, and also that there has been newly discovered evidence since trial that shows that our client is innocent. We plan to petition and hopefully overturn the conviction.
GNIP: How did you learn about GNIP and what made you want to provide pro bono support to the organization?
SN: I have known about the Innocence Project since law school and always wanted to get involved. I was recently having dinner with another lawyer working with another state’s Innocence Project, and it reminded me that it is time to get involved here.
GNIP: What about GNIP’s mission and work speaks to you?
SN: I believe in freedom, and always struggle when freedoms are being restricted, big and small. Specifically for GNIP’s work, I don’t like innocent people in prison. It is bad for the innocent person and their family, it is bad for the state and its budget, and it is just bad for everyone’s sense of justice. If we can right a wrong here, it will make the world better for everyone.
GNIP: What has been the most meaningful part of your pro bono experience so far?
SN: We still have a long way to go to make this work truly meaningful because our client is not yet free. In the meantime, it feels good to be working toward an important goal.