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Fran Brinker: Changing a Life’s Direction – Social Impact Report 2018-19

Francina J. Brinker, Staff Attorney

effectively and efficiently serve definitely moving in the right Fran Brinker and Sasha Hodge- training of MVLS and lawyers around in a way that is truly their story around, heroically
more clients attempting to direction,” Brinker asserts. “Also, Wren, and currently comprised in the space. inspiring.” She displays a letter changing direction in seas that
expunge their records. “I try to I think employers are becoming of approximately twenty lawyers of gratitude from the woman. are not always favorable. She
work with two to four clients more nuanced and strategic as across the firm, to drill down on Last year, the Expungement “She just graduated with an and the rest of the Miles &
at a time these days, including to what they are comfortable this particular avenue of service. Team managed approximately associate’s degree and is now Stockbridge Expungement Team
work with other Expungement with, and that helps ensure more Brinker notes that expungement 36 new cases. The team also going to Towson to complete her are just happy to help navigate
Team members,” Fran says. people have fair opportunities work is an excellent opportunity participated in three clinics bachelor’s. All she needed was a along the way. ■
“I find that to be a good balance, for success.” The vast majority for non-litigators to perform a sponsored by MVLS to process chance—and look at what she’s
where I can give everyone the of expungeable records relate service that has a direct impact and submit same-day petitions made of it.”
proper attention and still manage to non-conviction dispositions, on members of their community, by employing clusters of lawyers,
the efforts in the course of rather than convictions; there particularly in Baltimore City. either in person or through video Stories like these keep
my workflow.” are, however, under certain Expungement law offers a more chat, and was able to assist Brinker going, and are why
circumstances and constraints, forgiving, flexible timeline than clients from as far away as the she is so fervent in her efforts
To move the needle a number of offenses that are many other practices, whether Eastern Shore. to recruit new lawyers to the
even more, new laws in becoming—or will become— pro bono or not, and so often cause. “People are sometimes
Maryland, including the Justice expungeable as well. fits in well with a lawyer’s day- When asked about the real- embarrassed when they come
Reinvestment Act of 2016, are to-day workflow. The logistical world, real-time impact of this to us to clear their record, but
changing the landscape in such In this environment, and in constraints Brinker faced early kind of work, Brinker smiles and what actually strikes me—and
a way as to make expungement the context of a recalibration in her expungement efforts relays the story of a middle-aged I tell them this—is how hopeful
easier and more robust—and of the firm-wide Pro Bono have largely been mitigated woman, six months out of jail they make me.” The client is
therefore, potentially more Committee, Miles & Stockbridge through improvements in and living with her sister. “With the one doing the hard work
impactful to a wider cross-section last year established its dedicated technology and court processes, our help on the paperwork, to make their life better, in
of beneficiaries. “Maryland is Expungement Team, led by as well as the diligent work and she’s been able to turn her life Brinker’s estimation, turning

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