Brittany K. Barnett is an award-winning attorney and entrepreneur focused on social impact investing. The President saved Trentons life today."[25]. Brittany K. Barnett is an American attorney and criminal justice reform advocate. We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous attorney and criminal justice reform advocate. U.S. District Judge Jorge Solis ultimately calculated her sentence to be 46 years without parole, effectively a life sentence. Commerce. I wanted it to shine in a way that hasnt been done. Its not just a war on drugs; its a war on communities of color. Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and much more. Jeff Salamon is the deputy editor at Texas Monthly. Brittany K. Barnett is an award-winning attorney and entrepreneur focused on social impact investing. [2], Miss USA 2019, Cheslie Kryst, was a complex litigation attorney. TM: Out of all the people youve helped, what stories affected you the most? Barnett was on the legal team of Alice Marie Johnson, a woman who was serving the 21st year a life sentence for nonviolent drug offenses. I knew my mom had a drug problem, but I didnt realize she had a disease. [1] She grew up in an environment close to drug culture. While in law school, Barnett completed internships with the Honorable Nancy F. Atlas in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas and with the Honorable Rene H. Toliver in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas. On Jan. 20, 2021, he walked out a free man. Only two of us. Young decided to fight for his day in court, but he would ultimately lose. And thats the beautiful part of our journey. BKB: I would say probably half my time is spent with Buried Alive, working on fundraising to build capacity and hire a couple more lawyers. I knew my mom had a drug problem, but I didnt realize she had a disease. She was set to never breathe free air again, and she was the one encouraging me. His doors are never unlocked. Brittany K. Barnett. her net worth has been growing significantly in 2021-2022. We didnt know how the Trump administration was going to treat criminal justice issues or prioritize criminal justice issues, but I am blessed to have been a part of the legal team for Alice Johnson, who was one of the first people to receive clemency from Donald Trump. That was until her criminal justice angels Brittany K Barnett and MiAngel Cody came along and took on her case. Policies at the time allowed the judge to add "enhancements" to her sentence, including her legal license to carry a concealed weapon credited as "furtherance of drug conspiracy," her testimony in her own defense credited as "obstruction of justice," and weight conversion of powder cocaine to crack cocaine (which carried higher sentences). In her riveting debut,A Knock at Midnight:A Story of Hope, Justice, and Freedom,Ms. Barnett sharesthe powerful story of her awakening to the inhumanity of Americas criminal justice system and her ongoing fight to unlock the human potential trapped senselessly behind bars. The -born attorney and criminal justice reform advocate expert is arguably the worlds most influential Brittany K. Barnett is expert, with a wide-ranging social media outreach. Born on in United States, Brittany K. Barnett started her career as attorney and criminal justice reform advocate . she is one of famous attorney and criminal justice reform advocate with the age 19 years old group. Brittany K. wiki profile will be updated soon as we collect Brittany K. Barnetts Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible. The Dallas Cowboys Used to Sell NFL Dynasties. Attorney and entrepreneur Brittany K. Barnett fights to free people from prison and champions restoring and nurturing the creative ingenuity of justice-impacted people. Most people think of prisoners as people unworthy of compassion or love. Election: Two stepping forward, three stepping back, Lies of All Sizes: The story of Justin Costellos $35 million fraud, California companies debut new Scratch n Sniff stickers on packaging, Federal and provincial governments announce $7.5 million fund for indigenous cannabis. Theyve each left their fingerprints on my soul. Marijuana Venture 4000 Airport Way S. Seattle, WA 98108, @2020 - All Right Reserved. The U.S. Conference of Mayors will address the nations immigration crisis Wednesday. She was arrested and sentenced to 8 years in prison for failing to attain sobriety during probation. author. Theyre serving life sentences today under yesterdays drug laws, so Im hoping we take several more steps toward restoring a sense of fairness that should be at the heart of the criminal legal system. Thats part of why I wrote the book: to show what its like to grow up Black in Texas. They are responsible. And I looked at the bright side, and I stayed optimistic.. Thanks to Attorney Brittany K. Barnett and her team of civil rights lawyers, Young is free. [26] The Obama administration denied her petition for clemency in January 2017, however, after separate meetings with Kardashian West and her husband, Kanye West,[27] President Donald Trump commuted Johnson's sentence. Southern University Law Center is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, masters, and doctorate degrees. Find the area youre passionate about and make a difference that way. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (NewsNation Now) Faced with two life sentences in jail, Chris Young was told the only way out was death. Under President Ronald Reagan, the federal government poured more money and resources into prosecuting drug offenders than ever before. BKB: Every one of them, man. The first step for policymakers and decision makers is to acknowledge that its been an utter failure. Chris was a catalyst and became a poster child for my issues and the federal justice system. What was the culprit for somebody like Sharanda Jones, who was convicted of a single nonviolent drug crime, being given the same sentence as the Unabomber? This interview has been edited for clarity and length. More than 30 people were arrested. Award-winning attorney and entrepreneur Brittany K. Barnett discusses her memoir A KNOCK AT MIDNIGHT (9/8/20; Crown). And we did. She is dedicated to transforming the criminal justice system and has won freedom for numerous people serving life sentences for federal drug offenses-including seven clients who received executive clemency from President Barack Obama. And Im hopeful that we see that again. The 1986 Anti-Drug Abuse Act passed with little to no legislative history. Her tirelesswork hasfreednumerous individuals from overly harsh sentences imposed by draconian federal drug laws, including seven clients who received executive clemency from President Obama. Thats how we can begin to change hearts and minds. But you also need to free people while youre working to change policy, because people cant wait. Despite growing evidence in the missing Ana Walshe case, attorney Duncan Levin said this is the opposite of a perfect murder.. She is dedicated to transforming the criminal justice system and has won freedom for numerous people serving fundamental death sentences for federal drug offenses - including seven clients who received executive clemency from President Barack Obama. Its beyond legitimate debate at this point that the system bleeds with racial injustice and to know that there are so many more Chris Youngs that are still buried alive and in need of their freedom as well. A mandatory life sentence was never an appropriate sentence for what he did. Barnett is from Texas. When Barnett was 22, her mother, a crack cocaine addict, was arrested and sent to prison for eight years. [16] Following her win, she partnered with Barnett in representing and successfully litigating the release of Alfred Rivera after serving 18 years of a life sentence for non-violent drug offenses. His clemency initiative was truly historical, and Im blessed to have lived that part of history. Her mother was a crack cocaine addict. #AKnockAtMidnight: A Story of Hope, Justice & Freedom @buriedaliveproject @girlsembracingmothers #ManifestFreedom linktr.ee/brittanykbarnett Posts Reels Videos Tagged Show More Posts from brittanykbarnett [1] While researching a paper on how race impacted sentencing for her Critical Race Theory class, she came across the case of Sharanda Jones, a woman who had been sentenced to life without parole for a first-time, non-violent drug offense. [25] In response, Barnett said, "I was overjoyed when I received the call from Pardon Attorney Robert Zauzmer telling me the President had granted clemency to my client, Trenton Copeland, who was being buried alive under an unduly harsh sentence of life without parole for a nonviolent drug offense. BKB: Its devasting families and entire communities. She is dedicated to transforming the criminal justice system and has won freedom for numerous people serving fundamental death sentences for federal drug offenses including seven clients who received executive clemency from President Barack Obama. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Brittany K. Barnett is an American attorney and criminal justice reform advocate. We have people serving life sentences today for marijuana and other drug offenses. MV: What was it like to go from the Obama administration to the Trump administration over the past four years? Darryl Hinton She has earned many honors, including being named one of Americas most Outstanding Young Lawyers by the American Bar Association. In 2019, Buried Alive nabbed headlines for freeing 17 people in ninety days and receiving vocal support from Kim Kardashian West. May we always evolve in perfect alignment with the purest versions of ourselves. But shed be telling me to get back to work, telling me we could do this, that we could get her free. More recently, she was part of the legal team that helped secure clemency from President Trump for Alice Johnson. BKB: It definitely was not an easy decision to make, because I enjoyed my job as a corporate attorney and Im just going to be real I also enjoyed the financial comfort of it. 3400 Oak Grove Ave Ste 370. After her masters, she became an associate attorney at Winstead PC, focusing on corporate finance. Semi-Annual Crime Stats Report, Students Faculty AlumniFaculty DirectoryVote EverywhereLaw ClinicsUn(re)solved Exhibition, Policies & Forms Information Technology Consumer Information (ABA Required Disclosures) Student Accommodations. [7] After submitting her paper, Jones's case plagued Barnett, and she wrote to Jones offering her assistance; the women began corresponding through email. Texas Monthly: What was it like to grow up in East Texas? [4], December 4, 2018, Senator Dick Durbin and Senator Chuck Grassley held a forum on pending criminal justice legislation. She then went to Winstead PC in the Finance & Banking Practice Group. But her passion led her down a different path, and she began helping people serving life sentences seek clemency under an Obama-era reform program. Thats what we need more in this world, more love, more compassion, said Young. Chris Young said he plans on working with Barnett on other justice reform projects in the future. The Photo the Dallas Cowboys Never Wanted the Public to See, Nolan Ryan Threw as Hard as He Could for as Long as He Could. I really wanted the South to shine in the book. Have you picked up a copy of the October 2022 yet? After submitting her paper, Joness case plagued Barnett, and she wrote to Jones offering her assistance; the women began corresponding through email. While Kim Kardashian receives all the praise for her work with the criminal justice system and the freeing of inmates, it's two sistas, attorneys Brittany K. Barnett and MiAngel Cody, that are doing all the hard work behind-the-scenes to free non-violent offenders who are serving lengthy prison sentences. And then when he left, quite frankly, there was a period of time in January of 2017, where I was like, what the hell did I do? Since 2016, Barnett has earned freedom for 53 incarcerated people. U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, American Bar Association's Young Lawyer Division, "GIRLS EMBRACING MOTHERS Brittany Byrd '09", "Meet the Kim Kardashian-backed 'women warriors' who free people from life sentences", "PricewaterhouseCoopers Company - 27050 Employees - US Staff", "Good Works Under 40 honors top Dallas community volunteers", "Non-violent drug sentencing has left thousands of people buried alive in prison", "Sens. 1718 Sherman Ave., Ste. Barnet is also the founder of Manifest Freedom, a social organization with the mission of changing societys perception of imprisonment. [11], In early 2019, Barnett and MiAngel Cody (founder of and lead counsel for The Decarceration Collective law office & consultancy) started the 90 Days to Freedom campaign, a push to release nonviolent drug offenders from life sentences. Barnett attended The University of Texas at Arlington, earning a bachelors degree in 2005 and a masters degree in 2006 in accounting. But Im not playing those games anymore. Michelle McKinney Hammond, Wikipedia, Bio, Age, Husband, Net Worth, Dyani Neves, Wikipedia, Bio, Age, Relationship, Height, Christian Blogger, Elly Morillo, Wikipedia, Bio, Age, Husband, Height, Salary, News 12, Wanya Reese, Wikipedia, Bio, Age, Spouse, Salary, Height, 13MWAZ, Natalie Kalibat, Wikipedia, Bio, Age, Husband, Height, Salary, Diver. Mandatory minimum sentences forced judges to dole out extreme punishments for crack cocaine possession, disproportionately affecting Black Americans. TSA officers confiscated more than 6,542 firearms from passengers in 2022 the highest number recorded since the agencys inception. In addition to her successful law practice, Ms. Barnett is also an entrepreneur focused on social impact investing. Here we are updating just estimated networth of Brittany K. Barnett salary, income and assets. [2] She recounts that as a little girl, she wanted to be a lawyer like Clair Huxtable, a character on The Cosby Show, but had lost that dream by high school because there were no lawyers in her rural East Texas community, and certainly no black women lawyers. Foundations want to change policy, which is necessary. [24] Copeland was one of 330 commutations the president granted on his last day in office. Through the organization Buried Alive, which she co-founded with Sharanda Jones and Corey Jacobs, she came to national attention when she and her co-counsel, MiAngel Cody, litigated the release of 17 people in 90 days. While Kim Kardashian West made headlines and was praised for helping get these 17 prisoners released from prison (she did lend her money and star power), it was really the tireless dedication and uncountable hours of Brittany and MiAngel that got these prisoners released. 0. The light at the end of the tunnel just became really, really bright, said Barnett. Ive always felt the heartbeat of the people behind bars, but writing the book really gave me that time to be, like, wow, this country is locking up the very ingenuity our nation needs to thrive. As I was writing, I started to wonder, Do we ever really process this? While I was working to free them, they were freeing me, too. Arrest numbers spiked. [18] On August 29, 2019, rapper Pusha T released the song "Coming Home" with singer Lauryn Hill to bring awareness to the Third Strike Project. East Texas is my home. REGISTRATION REQUIREDfor all FAN webinar events. Ms. Barnett will be interviewed by Jeanne Bishop. In Bogota, where my grandparents lived, opioids and meth have taken over. As an SMU law student interning in a Houston court, Barnett had a front-row seat to the horrors created by the mandatory minimum laws sending generations of Black Texans to federal prison. MV: What made you ultimately decide to leave corporate law and focus on working to free people who were incarcerated? She represented lending institutions in matters related to real estate, secure financing, and acquisition financings. During this time, an unlikely supporter came to Youngs defense Kevin Sharp, the same judge who sentenced him to jail years ago,advocated for Chriss release. [22] The sentencing judge in the case, Judge Henry Coke Morgan Jr., wrote a letter advocating for Jacobs's petition for clemency, explaining that he would not have handed down a life sentence if he had not been required to do so by law. Then at 19,another conviction,for possession of less than half a gram of cocaine and marijuana. Thats part of why I wrote the book: to show what its like to grow up Black in Texas. [7], In 2016, she stopped practicing corporate law and began to take the cases of nonviolent drug offenders full-time, taking advantage of a policy under President Barack Obama's administration that came to be known as the clemency initiative. Brittany K. Barnett, better known by her family name Brittany K. Barnett, is a popular American attorney and criminal justice reform advocate. Over the past few months, claims BET.com, 90 Days of Freedom and The Decarceration Collective have helped free approximately 17 women and men from prison, allowing them to get . She shares stories of the innovation languishing in America's prisons -- and a vision for investing in people whose unjust sentences . All Rights Reserved. Attorney And Criminal Justice Reform Advocate From Fulbright to the White House, the beautifully written, often haunting A Knock at Midnight charts how Barnett started her fight against draconian drug sentencesand how her work is only just beginning. Brittany K. Barnett. [22] As a liaison between a cocaine dealer and a supplier, Sharanda Jones was charged with "drug conspiracy" in August 1999. It seemed like an accepted part of life, like, This is just the way it is. It wasnt until I got to college that I realized how powerful it was. He said one of the first things he would like to see reformed are mandatory minimums and penalties should be set on a case-by-case basis. In Bogota, where my grandparents lived, opioids and meth have taken over. She was set to never breathe free air again, and she was the one encouraging me. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. A vision of sustainable liberation for justice-impacted people. Her address is, Your email address will not be published. Brittany K Barnett Age, Family, and Husband Barnet was born on February 24, 1984. Durbin, Grassley talk criminal justice reform at The Washington Post", "Opinion | Kim Kardashian's 'prison reform' work reveals downsides of celebrity activism", "Kim Kardashian West has helped free 17 inmates in 90 days", "Kim Kardashian West Helped Free 17 More People From Prison", "Kim Kardashian West has helped free 17 people from prison in the last 90 days", "Brittany K. Barnett is asking for donations", "Lawyer Brittany K. Barnett Gives Backstory of Kim Kardashian's Work With 90 Days of Freedom", "Miss USA Cheslie Kryst helped free a man sentenced to life in prison for a drug offense and says marijuana should be legal", "Miss USA, Miss Teen USA reveal what makes them proud to be Americans", "Third Strike Laws Have Been Hurting Entire Communities for Years. She didnt get the help she needed. Required fields are marked *. Associate professor of philosophy at the University of San Diego, Professor of psychology, George Mason University, and bestselling author, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, director of the Center for Psychodynamic Therapy and Research at Massachusetts General Hospital, co-director of the Harvard Study of Adult Development, and co-founder of the Lifespan Research Foundation, William Henry Bloomberg Professor of the Practice of Public Leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School and Professor of Management Practice at the Harvard Business School, Professor of Psychology, University of California at Berkeley, Faculty Director of the Greater Good Science Center, and bestselling author, Author of the #1 New York Times bestselling books Quiet and Bittersweet. We report on vital issues from politics to education and are the indispensable authority on the Texas scene, covering everything from music to cultural events with insightful recommendations. Primary Practice Location: Dallas , Texas. There are so many forms of trauma I never realized were happening to me, my family and my community. With every freedom we secure, were pushing forward a movement of people and power and dignity that is going to have a ripple effect on anyone they may positively impact in the future.. Cody and Barnett are two parts of The Decarceration Collective, whose mission is to release non-violent offenders, unjustly imprisoned due to harsh and cruel drug laws. BKB: The transition was one of a lot of uncertainty. The lack of funding has been extremely frustrating, because were really trying to save lives, and were struggling for funding. Her Dallas-based nonprofit, Buried Alive, works to free those who are eligible for release, but have been left in prison under outdated Reagan-era laws. investor. I love East Texas. By day Brittany moved billion-dollar deals, and by night she worked pro bono to free clients in nearly hopeless legal battles. And its all because of these misguided appeals for law and order under this failed War on Drugs. Since the murders of her family members, she has been a passionate voice for forgiveness and mercy, particularly in the criminal justice system. Contact the Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar of the American Bar Association at 321 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654, or call 312-988-6738 for questions about the approval of Southern University Law Center. And I make no excuses for my clients selling drugs. My clients sold drugs. Barnet endeavors to show the world that once-incarcerated people can thrive and succeed in life once they have access to resources. Brittany K. Barnettis an award-winning attorney who has dedicated her life to criminal justice reform. Fulbright. If you fill out the first name, last name, or agree to terms fields, you will NOT be added to the newsletter list. 2023 Family Action Network. [9] The organization seeks to eliminate life without parole as a sentence for non-violent drug offenses. If you do drugs, youre a monster. No one was trying to help, and I didnt see that until years later. MV: How did the United States as a country get to where were at right now, with 1,300 to 1,500 people serving life in prison for drug crimes? The Manifest Freedom Fund provides capital and resources to justice-impacted entrepreneurs. May 25, 2021. At the age of 19 years, Brittany K. Barnett weight not available right now. Texass Most Venomous Caterpillar, Texass First Nonalcoholic Bottle Shop Reflects the Shifting Culture Around Drinking. Fulbright. Brittany K. Barnett is an award-winning attorney and entrepreneur focused on social impact investing. Regardless, Barnet still valued education she understood it as a path to freedom. BKB: The culprit was the 1986 Anti-Drug Abuse Act that implemented this 100-to-1 sentencing ratio between crack and powder cocaine that punished crack much more severely and implemented mandatory minimums. A lot of the pushback we get is we dont fund direct services. 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm. In the book, you see the positivity of Sharanda Jones (a woman from Terrell). Through the organization Buried Alive, which she co-founded with Sharanda Jones and Corey Jacobs, she came to national attention when she and her co-counsel, MiAngel Cody, litigated the release of 17 people in 90 days. Youngs story caught the eye of Kim Kardashian. Texas Footballs Greatest Rivalry Will ReturnBut at What Cost? But as you see in the book, the war on drugs was hitting us hard, and as a kid, that was hard to see. The heartbeat. [23], Corey Jacobs was 47 years old and 17 years into a life sentence for a first-time drug charge when Obama granted him clemency. During this time she founded Girls Embracing Mothers Inc, a nonprofit organization empowering girls to break the beliefs of incarceration and live a purposeful life. Bar Card Number: 24078196. [2] Barnett credits her mother's own incarceration with teaching her that persons in prison were often treated as "unworthy of any compassion or concern. $25,000 donation to launch the campaign. Yes, she is a global superstar, but this was another person a part of the team. As I was writing, I started to wonder, Do we ever really process this? Theres something we all can do to help make a difference, just by finding what speaks to our hearts. Commerce. Brittany K. Barnett is an American attorney and criminal justice reform advocate. Statutory Profile Last Certified On: 03/03/2021. But he still has two years left, said Barnett. A lot of the pushback we get is we dont fund direct services. I tell everyone: find the area that youre most passionate about, whether its bail reform, whether its marijuana justice, whether its sentencing reform or parole and probation. Barnet disapproves of her mothers sentencing arguing that she did not deserve prison but a rehab. TX License Date: 11/04/2011. Dan Solomon writes about politics, music, food, sports, criminal justice, health care, film, and business. The lack of funding has been extremely frustrating, because were really trying to save lives, and were struggling for funding. My mom was addicted to crack cocaine. [3], Multiple clients of Barnett took advantage of the clemency initiative President Obama and former Attorney General Eric Holder began in 2014. Foundations want to change policy, which is necessary. 201, Evanston, IL 60201 Contact Us. She went to The University of Texas Arlington where she did a degree in accounting and later a masters in the same. Thanks to Attorney Brittany K. Barnett and her team of civil rights lawyers, Young is free. Marijuana Venture is the leading B2B monthly publication for the cannabis industry. While Kim Kardashian West has been getting credit for her "efforts" in prison reform, these are the ladies actually putting in the work. [13] Commentary on her involvement ranged from praise, to assertions that it was a public relations stunt, to accusations that she was taking the credit for work she did not do. She later came across the similar case of Donal Clark, who was serving a 30-year sentence for a first-time, non-violent drug offense. TM: In A Knock at Midnight, you talk about how writing letters to your mother in prison helped you process what you were feeling about her incarceration. BKB: Over 80% of people in federal prison for drugs today are black and brown. I was so passionate about this work, so I linked arms with my clients, Sharanda Jones and Corey Jacobs, who had been serving life for drugs and received clemency from President Obama, and we co-founded the Buried Alive Project to provide legal representation for people serving life under these outdated federal drug laws. While working as a corporate lawyer moving multi-million dollar deals by day, by night Brittany worked to secure freedom for numerous people buried alive under outdated federal drug laws. [10] The center provides funding and training to Buried Alive. The leading resource for cannabis retailers and growers. Many took a plea deal which meant serving 14 years in jail. You know, it just shows that we have a lot more work to do, said Barnett. East Texas is my home. Bogota. Regardless, Barnet maintained a close relationship with her after she was released. Also learn about how she is rich at the age of 49 years old? Brittany K. Barnett didn't set out to be a crusader. Youngs journey behind bars began when he was just 18-years-old. She added to her education by studying for another Juris Doctor in law at Southern Methodist University. Barnett is from Texas. Learn more here: https://www.penguinran. lawyer. He and his co-defendants were just fringe participants in a much larger drug conspiracy, said formerU.S. District Court JudgeKevin Sharp.