Clemency Recipient Released From Incarceration

On January 19, 2023, Jacqueline Smalls, a 60-year-old survivor of domestic abuse incarcerated for killing her abuser, was released from prison. She had served more than 10 years of a 15-year sentence, before being granted clemency from Governor Kathy Hochul, as a result of efforts led by an all-women team at Latham & Watkins.

Under the supervision of partner Jamie Wine, associates Brittany Ehardt, Jaclyn Newman, Melange Gavin, and Wendy Gu played major roles in the case. Partner Nick McQuaid and associate Adam Shamah also assisted on the matter prior to the clemency strategy.

To learn more about the team’s efforts, click here to read an article from Law360.

Since her release, Ms. Smalls has been spending time with her family, and plans to begin volunteering with survivors of domestic violence, completing her GED, and pursuing her love of cooking and sharing food with others.