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Newsletter SignupPETALUMA, CA (Nov. 12, 2024) – Today, The Signal Awards presented Legal Talk Network and The Innocence Center with a bronze award for their exceptional activism, public service, and social impact of For the Innocent, a podcast about wrongful convictions.
The episode “Marilyn’s Story: A Plea Deal Turned Deadly” from For the Innocent’s second season earned the recognition and featured an emotional and shocking interview with Marilyn Mulero, an exoneree who received a death penalty conviction after taking a plea deal. She spent more than 26 years behind bars for a crime she did not commit because of a false report from two disgraced Illinois detectives and troubling advice from her lawyer.
Since the podcast’s inception in March 2023, host Michael Semanchik, who serves as The Innocence Center’s Executive Director, has investigated the impetus and aftermath of exoneration cases, inviting exonerees, forensic scientists and lawyers onto the program to put the pieces together.
“If you were to tell me five years ago we’d win an award for the podcast, I would have probably laughed it off,” said Michael Semanchik. “The stories we’ve showcased in For the Innocent are harrowing tales of injustice. Hosting the podcast has been a rewarding way to let the public know about the issues and the importance of the legal work of the Innocence Network’s members and movement.”
Over the past few years, Legal Talk Network has expanded its slate of podcasts about access to justice, offering a broader array of content that addresses critical issues in legal accessibility, rights awareness, and the barriers faced by underserved communities.
“For the Innocent is an important project for Legal Talk Network and our listeners because the law is there to protect citizens,” said Lisa Kirkman, Legal Talk Network’s Managing Director. “The Signal Award honors the work of all the lawyers out there defending the innocent.”
Clio, a cloud-based technology company for lawyers, has supported the podcast since its first episode and continues to empower organizations supporting the wrongfully convicted.
The Signal Awards Judging Academy includes a well-respected lineup of podcasters like Jay Shetty of On Purpose and Dan Taberski of Hysterical as well as industry leadership including Jonathan Hirsch, VP Global Podcasts at Sony Music, Chris Bannon the SVP, Head of Global Audio at Condé Nast and Jessica Cordova Kramer the CEO & Founder of Lemonada Media.
“This award is a testament to the skill, ingenuity, and vision of its creators,” said Jemma Brown, General Manager of The Signal Awards.
Legal Talk Network recently announced For the Innocent will return with an all-new season in spring 2025.
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ABOUT LEGAL TALK NETWORK:
Legal Talk Network is a leading podcast network that covers a wide range of legal topics, including legal news, practice management, and career development. With a diverse roster of hosts and guests, the network is committed to advancing the legal profession by providing quality educational content and fostering a community of legal professionals who are passionate about improving the practice of law. For more information about the network and For the Innocent, visit legaltalknetwork.com.
ABOUT THE INNOCENCE CENTER:
The Innocence Center is an independent non-profit law firm dedicated to the release of wrongfully convicted individuals, educating the public on the causes of wrongful conviction, and assisting exonerated individuals as they reenter society. The Innocence Center receives hundreds of innocence claims each year and attorneys at The Innocence Center have been involved in freeing more than 40 wrongfully convicted individuals, who have served more than 600 years in prison collectively, over their careers. Read more at: theinnocencecenter.org.
ABOUT THE SIGNAL AWARDS:
The Signal Awards are mission-focused on uplifting the podcast medium by recognizing the most potent, meaningful and unprecedented audio projects being made today. Now in its third year, entrants to The Signal Awards are reviewed by The Signal Awards Judging Academy, an esteemed collective made up of the architects, instigators and trailblazers of the medium. Once a year, The Academy collectively listens closely to thousands of hours of audio, selecting the strongest work to be elevated to the status of award-winning. For more information, visit signalaward.com.
ABOUT CLIO:
Clio is transforming the legal experience for all by creating the world’s leading cloud-based technologies for law firms. Firms of all sizes and practice areas use Clio products—Clio Manage, Clio Grow, and Clio Draft—to manage firm operations, streamline billing and payments, automate legal documents, and improve client experiences. As a result, Clio is helping lawyers and their clients better connect throughout the legal process. Read more at: clio.com.
Lisa, as Legal Talk Network's Director of Partnerships & Marketing, is the bridge between show sponsors and the production team. She helps sponsors develop their message and choose the most effective shows for reaching their target audience. Lisa has consulted with clients in both digital marketing and traditional broadcast media, and loves podcasting because the medium celebrates creativity and makes room for diverse content. She loves driving fast and lives at Lake Tahoe with her family.
