NCJW supports Arianna Freeman. Here’s why:
Arianna Freeman has dedicated her entire legal career to public service. She is a public defender, currently serving as the Managing Attorney of the Non-Capital Habeas Unit for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania where she represents state and federal inmates challenging the legality of their convictions and sentences. Ms. Freeman has pursued justice for her clients when new evidence comes to light in their cases, gaining their trust and that of their families. If confirmed, she would be the first Black woman and the first woman of color to serve on the Third Circuit, as well as the third active woman on the bench.
Arianna Freeman’s stance on important issues:
Criminal Justice:
Ms. Freeman represents death row inmates in the later stages of their appeals. She has represented inmates on both a state and federal level to challenge the legalities of her client’s convictions and sentences. In a notable case, Ms. Freeman worked to exonerate Curtis Crosland, wrongfully convicted, after serving 34 years of a life sentence.
Judicial temperament:
Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) stated, “Ms. Freeman is a highly qualified nominee,”… “Her extensive legal experience and keen intellect, combined with her deep commitment to the community and to the principles of fairness and equal justice, will serve the Third Circuit well.”
Arianna Freeman’s Experience and Education:
Ms. Freeman is the Managing Attorney of the Non-Capital Habeas Unit of the Federal Community Defender Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA. She joined the office in 2009 and worked in the Capital Habeas Unit for five years before becoming the first attorney in the Non-Capital Habeas Unit when it opened in 2014. Freeman served as a law clerk to the Honorable James T. Giles (Ret.) and the Honorable C. Darnell Jones, II, both of the Federal District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. She earned her BA, with honors, from Swarthmore College and her JD from Yale Law School.