My name is Nicholas Thoma and I’m thrilled to be working with Alabama Appleseed this fall as a legal extern. I’m originally from Pennsylvania but have called Alabama home for the last five years since I came to the University of Alabama for my undergraduate studies. I am currently a 2L at the University of Alabama School of Law and planning to become a public defender upon my graduation.
My passion for public interest is fueled by my experience in Alabama. Growing up I was ignorant of many of the inherent challenges our legal system imposes on disadvantaged groups. During my freshman year of college I read “The Sun Does Shine”, Anthony Ray Hinton’s autobiography which described his wrongful incarceration on Alabama’s death row; a partial result of his inability to afford adequate representation. This was the turning point that made me realize I wanted to become a public defender and help keep people from ever facing a similar situation.
Once I entered law school I began to realize that wrongful incarcerations were just one small part of an overarching inequality within our criminal justice system. There are numerous issues with sentencing, prison conditions, work programs; the list goes on and on. These problems aren’t going to change unless people advocate for people who have been incarcerated. Too often society looks down upon these people and judges them for their worst day. We need zealous advocates at every step of the criminal justice system, both before and after incarceration.
I could not be more proud to be working with Alabama Appleseed this fall. It is rare to find an organization that advocates so zealously for their clients, especially when those clients are people who have been incarcerated. I am so grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this advocacy this fall and through any chances I have in the future.
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