Gretchen Cothron, J.D. '13, entered her undergraduate studies wanting to study forensic science and envisioned a potential future as an FBI crime scene investigator. But after writing a research paper on the wrongful convictions of Frank Lee Smith and Jerry Townsend—two individuals who were wrongfully convicted and collectively served 36 years in prison until DNA testing proved their innocence—her trajectory shifted. Cothron began "studying forensics with a critical eye and examining when 'sciences' go wrong and result in wrongful convictions."
Cothron earned her B.A. in Criminology and Law at the University of Tampa in 2010 and consulted on potential wrongful convictions cases. Her passion led her to start a nonprofit, Screaming for Sunshine, which investigated the forensic science evidence in criminal defense cases. Cothron knew she wanted to pursue a law degree to address wrongful convictions, ideally attending a law school with an established innocence clinic. However, when Cothron participated at the annual Innocence Network Conference, she met Innocence Project of Florida executive director Seth Miller and Innocence Project co-founder Peter Neufeld, who both said she "was needed in Florida." Cothron then applied to the University of Miami School of Law and became the first fellow in the newly created Miami Law Innocence Clinic.
During her time at Miami Law, Cothron taught "lunch and learn" sessions on wrongful convictions and forensic science with the Wrongful Conviction student organization, served as a justice on the Student Bar Association Supreme Court, and was a member of the Bar and Gavel. Cothron was also a National Security Law Review member and worked as a research and teaching assistant for four professors. Cothron interned for both federal and state public defender offices.
Cothron's involvement in the Miami Law public interest community "solidified [her] love of fighting to correct injustices." After graduating, Cothron worked as an assistant public defender for five years. Then, Cothron continued her work in private practice, "fight[ing] to have false allegations not result in charges and/or to have unjust charges dropped before trial.
"The criminal justice system is tilted heavily in favor of law enforcement and prosecution," she said. "While we like to say, 'innocent unless proven guilty,' that phrase is not realistic. I have learned that my clients are frowned upon and looked at as guilty before charges are even filed against them. The criminal justice system is not fair and definitely not just, in many cases. I work to correct the wrongs."
Now, Cothron's career is coming full circle. Cothron is joining the Innocence Project of Florida as a staff attorney, working with Seth Miller and a team of investigators, intake directors, social workers, and fundraisers.
"It's fitting and so amazing that at my decade anniversary as an attorney and two decades anniversary as a forensic scientist, I'm now reaching the goal that I've always aimed for," Cothron said.
Cothron gives the following advice for students pursuing public interest legal careers: "Find mentors and keep them, reach out to people in your chosen field that you admire and don't be afraid to do so. I had admired my mentor attorney's career and sent her a letter when I was in undergrad expressing that I wanted to work for her or volunteer for her. She hired me as a paralegal and really inspired me. She is still my mentor attorney and we have now been friends for over a decade. Also, get involved in organizations in your chosen field, volunteer, intern, and learn."
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