January 20, 2012
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Peter Macdonald (’84) and Anna Schleelein (‘08) honored for their commitment to public servicePeter Macdonald (’84) and Anna Schleelein (‘08) were recently honored for their commitment and dedication to public service at BU Law's annual Pro Bono Kickoff event. Each year, the Victor J. Garo Public Service Award is given to one or more alumni for their commitment and dedication to public service. Pictured left: Schleelein, Macdonald and Dean O'Rourke following awards ceremony |
Macdonald honored for successful reversal of 26-year wrongful imprisonment sentence
Peter Macdonald (’84), partner at WilmerHale and vice chair of the Boston firm’s Litigation/Controversy Department, has spent a considerable amount of time and effort defending Dewey Bozella, a New York man who was wrongly convicted of murder and imprisoned for over 26 years. Macdonald led a team of WilmerHale associates who changed Bozella’s life forever by uncovering new evidence -- some of it more than 30 years old--and obtaining the reversal of the wrongful conviction to secure his freedom. This incredible story was the focus of a national broadcast in conjunction with Bozella’s receipt of ESPN’s Arthur Ashe Courage Award.
Macdonald continues to represent Bozella in a civil action against the individuals and municipalities who stole his freedom.
As the ESPN story emphasized, Bozella became a skilled boxer in prison, and he was the light-heavyweight champion of the New York State penitentiary system. His dream of a professional career, however, dwindled as the years in prison passed. Upon his release, Bozella continued to dream that he might fight at least once as a professional. After extensive training with the camp of world light heavyweight champion Bernard Hopkins, Bozella passed the rigorous California state licensing requirements, and he was permitted to fight in his first (and last) professional boxing match. On October 16th, at the age of 52, Bozella defeated 30-year-old Larry Hopkins in a unanimous decision, and he retired undefeated.
Bozella’s dream, which had finally come true, would not have been possible without the incredible contributions of Peter Macdonald and the WilmerHale team.
Over the years, Macdonald has been lead counsel or primary co-counsel for more than 30 trials, including matters in New York, Delaware, Massachusetts, Colorado, New Jersey, Maryland, Illinois, New Hampshire and Washington DC. In 2000, He moved to New York City to open another WilmerHale office, which has grown from fewer than a dozen to over 170 lawyers today. Macdonald continues to practice in New York, primarily in the firm's Business Trial Group and Securities Litigation and Enforcement Practice Group.
Advocating for Veterans Rights: Schleelein honored for long-standing public service
Anna M. Schleelein, Esq. ('08) is co-executive director of Shelter Legal Services, Inc., where she represents veterans in civil matters and assists with criminal records and supportive services for clients with concurrent criminal matters. Shelter Legal Services' mission is to promote self-sufficiency, stability and financial security through comprehensive and accessible legal services. Schleelein is responsible for management of the organization, and her practice focuses on assisting veterans with overcoming legal obstacles to self-sufficiency, from resolving housing issues to obtaining veterans benefits. Shelter Legal Services also coordinates pro bono opportunities for over 60 law students and volunteer attorneys each semester.
During law school, Schleelein co-founded the Veterans Advocacy Network to provide services to veterans seeking assistance with benefits issues. In 2009, Shelter Legal Services adopted the project as part of its newest initiative, the Veterans Legal Assistance Network, designed to connect veterans in need with pro bono attorneys. Schleelein also provides pro bono legal services to under-represented populations.
Schleelein received her B.A. from Boston College and her J.D. from Boston University School of Law, where she served as a note editor of the Public Interest Law Journal. During law school, Schleelein was one of 12 Boston area law school students to receive the highly competitive Rappaport Fellowship in Law and Public Policy. She also interned with the Civil Rights Division of the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office, where she drafted the agency’s Veterans’ Resource Guide, now available at mass.gov/ago. Upon graduation, Schleelein received the law school’s Warren S. Gilford Law and Humanity Prize for her commitment to public service. She is admitted to practice in Massachusetts and accredited to represent individuals before the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Reported by Ben Solomon