A criminal conviction drastically reshapes a person’s life. No matter who you are, the consequences reach far beyond the courtroom, touching not only every aspect of a person’s life or also the lives of those around them.
Careers derail. Families can break under extreme financial and emotional strain. Access to fundamental things like housing or banking can be difficult to obtain. The stigma of a criminal record and an under-resourced American system of rehabilitation often falls short of its goals. Absent adequate resources, many individuals struggle to reintegrate into their communities which has dire consequences: nationally, approximately half of federal offenders are rearrested within eight years of release.
No one knows this like someone who has been through the American justice system, which is how Jeff Grant came to found a 501(c)3 that hosts what he calls “the world’s first support group devoted to those navigating the white collar justice system.”
Building the White Collar Support Group
Jeff Grant launched the White Collar Support Group in 2016 in the aftermath of Grant’s 18-month prison sentence for wire fraud and money laundering. Despite Grant’s years of experience as a high-powered lawyer in New York City, Grant found himself isolated and shocked by the many challenges waiting for him upon re-entry.
“It was that personal experience and the depth of isolation I felt that compelled me to get some people together,” shared Grant.
What started as a weekly gathering of four people over Zoom has grown to touch the lives of more than 1,100 individuals affected by the white-collar criminal justice system, and now includes a speaker series, private social media groups, events, and other resources, all designed to create better rehabilitative and reentry outcomes for those trying to rebuild their lives.
The Next Step: The White Collar Conference
To further its mission, the group is organizing its inaugural White Collar Conference this October. Open to all individuals who have been impacted by the justice system, as well as their families and legal professionals, the virtual event aims to tackle the practical and emotional challenges many face after a conviction.
Participants at the virtual conference will be able to engage in a variety of sessions, including fireside chats, workshops, and panels focused on addressing key challenges faced by those reentering society after a criminal conviction. Topics will range from overcoming social isolation and reconnecting with community to finding meaningful employment and navigating the complex road to reintegration.
One of the highlight panels, titled “Out of Isolation,” will feature a diverse group of speakers, including well-known figures such as Erika Cheung, who exposed wrongdoing at Theranos, Bill Baroni, a key figure in the “Bridgegate” scandal, defense attorney Elizabeth Kelley, and Seth Williams, the former District Attorney of Philadelphia. This panel will address the emotional and social toll that involvement in the criminal justice system can have on individuals, regardless of whether they were on the prosecution or defense side.
The event will kick off with a fireside conversation led by Nightmare Success host Brent Cassity who will be speaking with entrepreneur David Israel. David Israel overcame his own legal challenges to establish GOOD PLANeT Foods, now among the leading producers of vegan cheese in the United States. Israel’s story offers a powerful example of how people can rebuild their lives and find success even after facing significant legal setbacks.
Each of these workshops is designed to make for better outcomes for all of those involved, from lawyers and prosecutors, to the convicted and their families and the communities in which they live.
The White Collar Conference takes place October 19, 2024, at 9 AM ET. For more information or to register, navigate to WhiteCollarConference.com.
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