Freedom Lit the Room: Reflections from the For The Innocent Gala

On May 1, 2025, attorneys, advocates, community members, freed clients and their families gathered for the For The Innocent Gala. The event highlighted stories of wrongful conviction survivors, celebrated legal victories, and honored contributors to The Innocence Center’s mission.

Powerful Voices, Powerful Stories

Two of The Innocence Center’s (TIC) clients, Anthony Vasquez and Guy Miles, took the stage and captivated the room with their stories. Both are free men now, but their legal battles are not over. The crowd listened in near silence as they shared the weight of their wrongful convictions and the journey back to reclaiming their lives and their names. 

For TIC’s legal intern, Thomas Jefferson School of Law 3L CJ McConnell, underscored the evening’s significance:

“There were three things that really stood out to me at this gala. First, hearing Anthony and Guy take the stand to share what they have gone through and share what TIC meant to them. Second, watching our clients build community with one another — there’s something deeply moving about seeing them connect through shared experiences, offering each other a kind of support only they can truly give. And finally, witnessing the broader community come together around this work — not just the lawyers, but also the donors, volunteers, and guests who approached me to express how much this work means to them and how they, too, are contributing — was truly inspiring.”

Honoring the Heroes Among Us

During the gala, four awards recognized exceptional contributions:

• Freedom Award: Dana Orent, a former gang detective turned private investigator, received honors for his ability to track down witnesses, uncover hidden evidence, and work with a determination that borders on superhuman. 
• Re-entry Award: Attorney and Mentor Robert Swain was celebrated for supporting a client’s decade-long legal fight. 
• Public Education Award: Legal Talk Network and InfoTrack earned recognition for their “For the Innocent” podcast, which won a Signal Award for its episode on Marilyn Mulero’s case.
• Volunteer of the Year (The Lesley Award): Lesley Forbes, described as The Innocence Center’s “quiet backbone,” was honored for her consistent service with the inaugural Lesley Award, named for herself. 

The State of the Innocence Center: A Year in Review

Executive Director Michael Semanchik outlined 2024 achievements, including the release of Greg Cooper and Jason Chan. TIC identified the true perpetrators in 20% of its cases, addressing both wrongful incarceration and public safety risks. Over the past year, the organization logged more than 1,000 volunteer hours, conducted over 100 prison visits, and filed 30 court actions. Two California bills backed by TIC – one expanding discovery access and another allowing for more access to justice in California prisons – remain active in the Legislature.

Education, Re-entry, and the Fight Beyond the Courtroom

TIC’s reach now extends far beyond the courtroom. They partnered with Crawford High School’s Law Academy to engage the next generation of freedom fighters. 

Media visibility grew via features on the “Proof” podcast (featuring Jake Silva and TIC Attorney Audrey McGinn) and the “Wrongful Conviction” podcast (featuring Brandon Spencer and TIC Attorney Claudia Salinas).

On the re-entry side, TIC collaborated with San Diego State University’s Master’s in Public Education program to produce a report that is now helping shape how they support clients returning to society. Additionally, with help from TIC’s Ambassador Emily Simpson of “The Real Housewives of Orange County,” TIC launched a re-entry fund to support housing, therapy, and transition needs. 

And for two clients, a combined approximate of $2 million in state compensation payout marked a milestone for financial redress for their wrongful convictions.

Funding Challenges and Calls to Action

As hopeful as the gala evening was, there was a sobering moment: TIC recently lost a $600,000 federal grant critical to its mission of freeing the innocent behind bars. Attendees were urged to donate and invited to participate in All In For Justice: A Poker Tournament To Free The Innocent, coinciding with Wrongful Conviction Day on October 2.

The gala underscored both the fragility of progress in criminal legal reform and the resilience of advocates working to overturn wrongful convictions. For more information on supporting TIC, visit theinnocencecenter.org.

Claudia Salinas is Chairwoman of the New Lawyer Division and an The Innocence Center attorney.