OUR HISTORY

The Innocence Project of Florida (IPF) was established in response to a filing deadline for post-conviction DNA motions, with Talbot "Sandy" D'Alemberte serving as the founding chair of the board of directors. Initially, IPF operated with two advocates, Jennifer Greenberg and Sheila Meehan, working from a small office located in a hallway at the Florida State University College of Law.

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During its initial three years, IPF relied on the support of interns, volunteers, and pro bono attorneys across Florida. However, in the latter half of 2006, the organization underwent significant growth and development. They implemented systems for reviewing and accepting new cases, hired two full-time staff attorneys to tackle a substantial backlog of cases and improve the litigation process. Additionally, they recognized the importance of supporting clients after their wrongful convictions were overturned, leading to the employment of a social worker to aid in their reintegration into society.

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Since then, IPF has continued to expand its staff. They have added an intake coordinator responsible for screening requests for assistance and obtaining crucial case materials. Additionally, a development coordinator was appointed to lead fundraising, educational, and outreach initiatives. Presently, the IPF staff consists of nine individuals and regularly hosts six to eight student interns each semester. Notably, IPF holds the distinction of being the first innocence organization in the United States to have a full-time social worker on staff.

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IPF actively participates as a member of the Innocence Network, a coalition of organizations dedicated to providing pro bono legal and investigative services to individuals seeking to prove their innocence in wrongful conviction cases. Several members of the IPF staff have been invited to speak at the annual Innocence Network conferences, and IPF's executive director serves on the Innocence Network Advisory Board.

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Under the leadership of attorney Seth Miller, IPF's current executive, the organization continues its unwavering commitment to their mission. Seth oversees both the legal work and operational aspects of IPF. On the legal side, the project is supported by a staff attorney, a staff investigator, an intake coordinator, and an intake specialist. The intake team, led by the coordinator and specialist, handles nearly 1,000 inquiries for legal assistance each year. The staff investigator conducts field investigations to gather crucial evidence of actual innocence. With the expertise and experience of the staff attorney, IPF advocates strongly for the wrongfully convicted. Furthermore, IPF has a dedicated Director of Transition Services, Anthony Scott LCSW, with 17 years of experience assisting clients in their reintegration process.

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On the operations side, IPF has a Finance and HR Manager overseeing administrative functions. They also have a Development Officer responsible for fundraising and events, and a communications team that effectively shares the organization's mission with the wider community. The non-legal team brings a diverse range of experiences from working at large corporations, higher education institutions, and advocacy groups, further strengthening IPF's capabilities.