Counselors:
For the past thirty-four years, I have practiced civil rights and disability law in Oregon, Tennessee, Virginia, and now North Carolina. During my twenty years practicing in Portland, Oregon, I was part of a multidisciplinary team of attorneys that formed a Mass Defense group representing protesters exercising their constitutional rights who were arrested by the Portland Police Bureau. Our team included not only criminal defense attorneys, but lawyers with experience in corporate, copyright, administrative, and appellate law. We also provided mentorship to attorneys new to criminal defense practice.
When mass arrests occurred, our team met to develop shared legal strategies and defenses, coordinated discovery, and pooled evidence, including video and other records. This collaborative approach proved highly effective in protecting our clients’ rights.
Now living in Asheville, I believe it is prudent to prepare a similar Mass Defense team in anticipation of possible operations by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. I am seeking attorneys willing to assist in one or more of the following roles, if needed:
- Represent a criminal defendant (one case at a time);
- Assist with an individual refugee or immigration-related matter;
- File and litigate civil rights actions challenging unconstitutional conduct.
I am also seeking attorneys willing to serve as mentors, help organize the team, or assist in other ways, including providing meeting space or logistical support.
If you are interested in being part of an Asheville-based Mass Defense team and are willing to be on call should the need arise, please contact me by email so I can begin assembling a roster of participating attorneys.
Respectfully,
/s/ Alan Stuart Graf Alan Stuart Graf, Esq. alanstuartgraf@gmail.com AvlMassDefense.org (coming soon) 931.231.4119
