Today is World Gratitude Day. The entire C&N team is grateful for the efforts of two amazing trailblazers we lost this year—John Lewis and Ruth Bader Ginsburg. We continue to fight in your honor.
Rest in peace and power.
Thank you Chadwick Boseman for your amazing work! One of C&N’s movie outings was to Marshall, which was an incredible movie because of you. As King T’Challa said in Black Panther—"Now, more than ever, the illusions of division threaten our very existence. We all know the truth: more connects us than separates us. But in times of crisis the wise build bridges, while the foolish build barriers. We must find a way to look after one another as if we were one single tribe.” Rest in power.
Friday Fun Times Flashback. C&N had a great time at the Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan 2019 Fall Conference in Traverse City. Mary Chartier worked with attorneys Shannon Smith and Mark Satawa to plan the conference with amazing keynotes Amanda Knox, Chris Robinson, and Rena Cook. C&N also presented at the conference. Mary and Takura Nyamfukudza gave the annual case update, and Takura also presented with Molly Blythe on motion practice. Kurt E. Krause presented on professional licensing issues, while Kim Barrus and Lizzy Cary presented on technology tips for lawyers. And Marisa Vinsky was there cheering us all on!
Happy Anniversary to the wonderful and amazing C&N paralegal Kim Barrus and her equally awesome husband Dave. These are photos from last year’s awesome wedding by the lake. Enjoy your day!!
Mary enjoyed being a virtual presenter for Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s Women in the Law Awards. Mary has been previously honored by MLW as a Women in the Law and a Leader in the Law, so it was great to see so many wonderful women also receive this honor. Bravo to all those involved!!
A week ago today, Lacino Hamilton was exonerated. He spent 26 years in prison for a murder he did not commit. We are honored to have fought and secured his release. Walking him out of prison was indeed a privilege. He’s had lots of fun since being out—catching up with so many people; his first selfie with Lizzy; eating Tony’s delicious food, including his famous blacaroni, with Takura; and getting a good haircut and shave. Thank you to everyone who has been so supportive both before and after his release!! And thank you to Lizzy’s Grandma Faye, who sensed that something major was happening and prayed that it would be good news—and it was—it was when the exoneration decision was made.
This amazing video from the Detroit News truly captures this memorable day. Lacino Hamilton is a free man!
https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/wayne-county/2020/09/30/dna-clears-detroit-man-slaying-after-26-years-prison/3572112001/
DETROITNEWS.COM
DNA clears Detroit man of slaying after 26 years in prison
Chartier & Nyamfukudza, PLC
October 15 at 1:40 PM ·
The latest episode of the podcast Constitutional Defenders is here. Join Mary, Takura, and Lizzy as they speak with Lacino Hamilton. Lacino spent 26 years in prison for a murder he did not commit due to corruption in the Detroit Police Department that resulted in a false witness claiming that Lacino confessed. He didn’t, DNA cleared him, and now he’s a free man! https://www.cndefenders.com/podcasts-and-media/
The latest episode of the podcast Constitutional Defenders is here. Join Mary, Takura, and Lizzy as they speak with Lacino Hamilton. Lacino spent 26 years in prison for a murder he did not commit due to corruption in the Detroit Police Department that resulted in a false witness claiming that Lacino confessed. He didn’t, DNA cleared him, and now he’s a free man! https://www.cndefenders.com/podcasts-and-media/
What's the best way to spend a Saturday? Helping others, of course. Lansing community leaders Representative Sarah Anthony, Takura Nyamfukudza, and more collected and distributed food to residents in need. Thank you to all those who participated—you are living your values and making a difference!!
Season 2, episode 2 of Constitutional Defenders is live! In this episode, Mary, Takura, and Lizzy speak with attorneys Marla Mitchell-Cichon and Lori Montgomery about their previous work on exoneration cases when it comes to finding and testing DNA evidence. Find out some of the interesting places DNA evidence has been found!
https://cndefenders.buzzsprout.com/556159/6424867-hide-and-seek-dna-edition
C&N is proud that Takura Nyamfukudza is serving as an Advisor on the State Bar of Michigan’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee. Among the committee’s goals are to encourage diversity and inclusion efforts at Michigan’s law firms, courts, and law schools and throughout the justice system. Takura’s efforts to improve our state are far-reaching! ·
Chartier & Nyamfukudza's founding partner Takura Nyamfukudza was a special guest on the Once Upon A Boot Podcast, Episode 13, The Constitutional Defender! Take a listen!
Chartier & Nyamfukudza wants to salute our favorite veteran – Takura Nyamfukudza. Takura served 12 years in the United States Army, and he continues to serve veterans through volunteering his time with Veterans Court and numerous organizations that help veterans. Thank you to Takura and all veterans for your service and sacrifice!
Chartier & Nyamfukudza is thrilled to announce that Mary Chartier has been selected to receive the 2020 Leo A. Farhat Outstanding Attorney Award from the Ingham County Bar Association. The award is given to an attorney who has shown exemplary character, integrity, judgment, and legal scholarship while adhering to and advancing the highest principles and traditions of the legal profession. In addition to the traditional qualities of excellence in the practice of law, the award recognizes an attorney who has provided outstanding service to the public and who possesses an exemplary reputation in the legal community, the highest of ethical standards, and who revels in maintaining a life that balances a passion for professional excellence with the joy of family and friends. In addition, the award recognizes a person who exhibits qualities of openness and humility, coupled with a sincere concern for the interests of others, including the professional development of newer practitioners. Congratulations, Mary, on this wonderful recognition!
Today is the anniversary of the exoneration of Dennis Tomasik, who spent 9 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. We’re thrilled to have fought and exonerated Dennis, and we’re so happy that he is enjoying his life with his family!
Chartier & Nyamfukudza is thrilled to announce that Marisa Vinsky has been named one of the Top 5 Under 35 Attorneys by the Ingham County Bar Association. Award winners are recognized for their talents, skills, professionalism, and civility in the practice of law. The award will be presented by Michigan Court of Appeals judge Amy Ronayne Krause. Marisa's talents are unparalleled. She is a fierce advocate for her clients, and her litigation skills have already resulted in numerous courtroom victories. Marisa, we are so proud of you!!!
We’re honored that Takura Nyamfukudza has recorded a PSA to promote the Capital Area United Way 21-Day Equity Challenge. Inequities are deeply rooted in our national, state, and local systems and institutions. During the 21-Day Equity Challenge, participants will take a self-guided learning journey that examines the history and impacts of racism and how it shapes people’s lived experience in our community.
The Challenge is simple: you (along with your friends, family, and neighbors) commit to deepening your understanding of, and willingness to confront, racism for 21 straight weekdays. The Challenge will raise your awareness, change your understanding, and shift the way you behave.
Each day's content includes an introduction on a particular topic, followed by several additional resources such as podcasts, articles or videos. You choose which links you'd like to explore.
https://www.micauw.org/21-day-equity-challenge
Happy Holidays from the team at Chartier & Nyamfukudza, P.L.C.! We held our holiday party yesterday by Zoom. This year’s Reindeer Games was the culmination of a trivia contest that began earlier this year. The winners? Kosher Soul, a team of Takura, Marisa, Tony, and Nicole, narrowly beat out the Pawnee Goddesses, a team made up of Kim, Lizzy, and Kurt. We hope everyone has a peaceful holiday!
C&N held this year’s annual Gobble Games remotely—nothing can stop the games! Lizzy Cary was this year’s winner. Despite some baseless accusations by people (ahem, Takura), last year’s winner Nicole Hoskins has promised that there will be a smooth transition of Gobbles the Turkey (but she's not happy about it). Lizzy, you have a year to flaunt your win over the rest of us!
