Davis Polk Head of Pro Bono Litigation Dara Sheinfeld was quoted in the New York Times in connection with her role in securing clemency for Jacqueline Smalls, a 60-year-old survivor of domestic abuse incarcerated for killing her abuser. New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced that Jacqueline will be released from prison, where she has served 10 years of her 15-year sentence. Dara assisted Jacqueline’s legal team at Latham & Watkins LLP, who advocated for clemency on Jacqueline’s behalf.

“We are incredibly grateful to Governor Hochul for her longstanding commitment to domestic violence survivors,” Dara said. “This grant is a recognition that, for domestic violence survivors, criminal conduct is often inextricably interwoven with their histories of abuse and trauma.”

“Hochul Grants Clemency to 13, Including a Domestic Violence Victim,” New York Times (December 21, 2022) (subscription required)

Learn more about Davis Polk’s Pro Bono program.

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