Public Defender

A former federal public defender, Lee will be the second Black woman to serve on the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, bringing with her a 'deep commitment to protecting civil rights.'

Thomas Thorpe, 51, appeared before a judge and refused to have a lawyer represent him. “Do you understand what an attorney is and what they do?” asked the judge. “Yes, they screwed us,” Thorpe responded. Thorpe seemed in a hurry as the short hearing progressed, telling the judge he wanted to enter a plea without the assistance of […]