Pro Bono and Public Service: Prison Artwork and Shared Humanity
By Diane Wells Originally published in GPSolo eReport, March 2026 American Bar Association Summary Imagine meeting Perry through his work. He’s a man in his 50s, articulate and thoughtful, with genuine artistic talent. He sells his artwork to support his family, pouring himself into creative expressions that reveal intelligence, sensitivity, and depth of character. If […]
Constitutional Reflections
Recently, in my Constitutional Law class, many of the topics we’ve discussed carry real weight for modern society and for the struggles so many Americans are facing today. Rather than feeling abstract or historical, these doctrines feel deeply relevant. They’ve pushed me to ask difficult questions about the scope of constitutional power: Who gets to […]
What We Tolerate
“We do not really know what we stand for until we know what we will not, in fact, tolerate.” — J. Gahringer “Every police officer is an arbiter of social values.” — President of the Crime Commission These are the kinds of quotes that open every one of my Criminal Law classes. My professor starts […]
In the New Year
As we transition to the new year, there is so much to reflect on in our past year, 2025. The month of December was a particularly eventful one for me! The month started with 1L finals and ended with a break to visit family and friends. It was a time to reset and reflect after […]
Navigating Ambition and Public Service
Navigating Big Law Ambition Without Letting Go of Public Service I am currently in the height of Big Law recruiting season. I’ve had the privilege of attending firm events and connecting with incredible attorneys whose careers I deeply admire. This process has only further affirmed my legal aspirations. Each firm has its own personality, a […]
My First Letter From An Inmate
Usually you will find me writing each week for the last few months about the criminal case that I endured many years ago. Today, I am writing because I reached out to an inmate a couple of weeks ago and he wrote me back. I shouldn’t be surprised that he wrote me back, I guess, […]
Being A Supreme Court Justice
Being A Supreme Court Justice I am taking a reprieve from my normal blog to comment on the passing of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. If you ever wanted a person in the justice system to quietly inspire you, Ruth Bader Ginsburg might have been on that shortlist. I was drawn to her mindset to serve justice […]
A Tribute To My Aunt
A Tribute To My Aunt I was prosecuted for a crime I didn’t commit years ago. I sit here writing my blog with tears in my eyes and a warm heart. For nearly two weeks, I have been in a skilled nursing facility daily beside my Aunt who is dying. She has lived a long, […]
Mom Died
I have been writing about being a criminal defendant, but today I am writing about being a daughter. Probably the most vigilant supporter I have ever known for my whole life was my Mother. She knew my soul. She knew my essence. Good or bad, there was nothing that I could hide from her if […]
Where North Carolina Stands on Reforms proposed by the North Carolina Task Force for Racial Equity and Justice
Where North Carolina Stands on Reforms proposed by the North Carolina Task Force for Racial Equity and Justice Late last year, partly in response to the protests that rocked the nation after the murder of George Floyd, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper signed a sweeping criminal justice reform bill that was passed with bipartisan support. […]