April 23, 2025

"You Saved My Life:” A 15-year legacy of justice and redemption at ASU Law’s Post-Conviction Clinic

At the recent 15th Anniversary Alumni Reunion and Fundraiser for the Post-Conviction Clinic at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University, formerly incarcerated Freddie Solano stood before a crowd filled with ASU Law faculty, clinic alumni and legal professionals, and spoke words that moved everyone in the room.

“You saved my life,” Solano said, his voice heavy with emotion.

The reunion brought together a community that has worked for over a decade to right wrongs and advocate for justice. For 15 years, the Post-Conviction Clinic has taken on a mission that is both critical and compassionate: investigating claims of wrongful convictions and supporting individuals who have suffered deep injustices.

In a state with over 40,000 incarcerated individuals and the highest per capita incarceration rate in the West, the Clinic stands as a beacon of hope and a lifeline for many who feel forgotten.

Through its partnership with the Arizona Justice Project, students engage in hands-on investigations and litigation, often involving new or emerging evidence like DNA. They dig through conviction histories, prepare legal petitions and stand beside clients as they seek justice, sometimes for the first time in decades.

Solano, convicted of first-degree murder associated with a gang-related drive-by shooting at age 17, spent 30 years in prison on an indeterminate 25 years-to-life sentence and faced six parole hearings. Represented by the Clinic, Solano was released on parole last year. Now 48, he shared that without the Clinic's support and education about the legal system, he is uncertain if he would be here today, sharing his story. 

"When they educate you about the law, how the parole system operates and how the legal system works, it truly opens your eyes. You're a little more patient, more humble and more accountable," Solano said. "They're my heroes. So, when they call, I come."

Solano is representative of the Clinic’s longtime work on behalf of juvenile offenders serving life sentences. According to the United States Supreme Court, all but the rarest of juveniles deserve a meaningful opportunity for release via the parole process after serving a term of years.

Over his 30 years of incarceration, Solano grew and changed immensely through study, rehabilitation programming, and reflection. He dedicated himself to understanding the pain and grief his actions caused, and has used his remorse and regret in service to others. Solano says the Clinic's work alongside the Arizona Justice Project is vital because it gives those who have made terrible mistakes like himself, and occasionally those who didn't and were wrongfully incarcerated, a second chance.  

"You get a chance to earn your freedom, a chance at life. Not to just have the key thrown away," he said. "It's hard to put into words, but imagine these kind people, without reward or payment, come to your rescue."

 

Stories of hope like this one highlight the transformative impact of the Clinic's work, not just on Solano's life but on all those who have been given a chance at justice and redemption.

 

 

Randy McDonald, the supervising attorney of the Post-Conviction Clinic, has directed the clinic for the past four years. During this time, the Clinic has successfully paroled four juvenile offenders, including Solano, overturned three life sentences, and helped restore over 50 years of wrongful incarceration for its clients.

 

In the past year alone, students at the Clinic have appeared before the Board of Executive Clemency five times. Students have argued cases before the Arizona Court of Appeals, worked on petitions for review submitted to the Arizona Supreme Court, and briefed cases that were heard by that Court that resulted in favorable outcomes for Clinic clients. The Clinic students also participated in multiple re-sentencings that allowed individuals to walk out of prison.

 

"This is a clinic that has a very real and very immediate impact on the community, and we are training the next generation of lawyers," McDonald said. "These are skills that will be necessary for all of us."

 

This community impact inspires Assistant Dean of Graduate Programs and New Education Initiatives Joey Dormady, also a clinical attorney for the Post-Conviction Clinic, to empower students at ASU Law.

 

"It has been one of the greatest honors of my life to do this work and to work with the students we've had over the years," Dormady said. "Many of them have gone on to careers in defense, joined prestigious law firms, become clerks, judges or have worked in a prosecutor's office. The most rewarding part is that they leave with the understanding that sometimes things go wrong. Justice isn't always served by simply seeking the maximum penalty."

 

That perspective left a lasting impact on ASU Law alum Nicholas Radoff (JD '19), now a prosecutor with the Maricopa County Attorney's office. For him, the Clinic offered something many lawyers don't get early in their careers: a chance to see the humanity in those caught in the system.

 

"The biggest takeaway for me is the human aspect," Radoff shared. "So often, we reduce people to paperwork, names, case numbers, facts. But in the Clinic, we met people who had lived through some of their darkest moments. Many took responsibility. Working with them holistically really contextualized everything for me," he said.

 

"That person you see on paper is not the same person they were at 19, or 20 or even 25. Yes, some have done terrible things. And yes, some people may never change. But at the end of the day, most are just human beings. And honestly, they could easily be me."

 

His experience in the Clinic also taught him the value of stepping outside his comfort zone, something he encourages all law students to embrace.

 

"The Post-Conviction Clinic was something totally different that I did, and I loved it. The biggest piece of advice I'd give to law students is to try as many things as they can," Radoff said.

 

"You'll always have the chance to circle back and do something else later. All of this is changeable. You'll bounce around and explore different paths, and that's okay. Don't get too caught up thinking you need to figure it all out right away."

 

Current third-year law student Jeri Fromme, passionate about criminal law and public service, echoed the Clinic's lasting impact. She participated last semester and described the experience as one of the most meaningful parts of her time at ASU Law.

 

While many cases span longer than a semester, Fromme had the rare opportunity to see one through. "Last semester, I did a parole hearing, and our client got parole, which was very exciting.”

 

Beyond the legal work, Fromme highlighted the strong relationships the Clinic fosters. "You work closely with your classmates over a long period. You really get to know each other and the supervising attorneys. There's a sense of community. And at events like this, alumni come back and reconnect."

As the reunion came to a close, the message was clear: The Clinic’s work has touched many lives, and its alums, faculty and students remain deeply committed to its mission.

Looking ahead, Dormady emphasized the importance of continued support. "Anything you can do to help the Clinic continue, educating students, putting attorneys out there who are passionate about this work, armed with the knowledge that things go wrong and who are justice-oriented, I think it's the epitome of great work."

 

Solano put it simply and powerfully: "It's organizations like these that make the difference, that keep the balance. Many people never go home and never get a chance. The Clinic is here to make sure that doesn't happen."

 

Support from alums and the community is vital to ensuring that the Clinic can keep fighting for fairness and second chances. Those interested can make a gift to help the clinic continue its powerful impact for years to come.

Written by Andrea Estrada