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Local attorney helps free man wrongly imprisoned for 20-plus years

Deerfield resident and Chicago attorney Kevin Caraher, a member of Cozen O'Connor's Subrogation and Recovery Department, helped win a closely-watched case in Illinois for a pro bono client - the Illinois Innocence Project - freeing a man from prison and exonerating him of murder and aggravated arson charges, for which he had been imprisoned for 22 years.

Caraher volunteered his time and expert knowledge of modern fire investigation techniques to help overturn the earlier court's decision - which, though based on forensic methods current at the time, are outdated in light of today's technological advancements. The Illinois Innocence Project honored Caraher with its "Defender of the Innocent" award for the vital role he played in the successful outcome of the case.

The Chicago Daily Law Bulletin caught up with Caraher after the court's decision and conducted a feature-length interview with him on the details of the case and the IIP. You can read the full interview at www.cozen.com.

With over 35 years of experience in handling major subrogation claims, Caraher is considered a foremost authority on matters involving complex multiparty property damage and business interruption litigation arising from design and construction errors, fires, explosions, structural collapses, defective products, energy, transportation, and cargo losses.

Caraher earned his law degree from Northwestern University School of Law in 1981 and his undergraduate degree from Lawrence University in 1978.

About the Illinois Innocence Project

The Illinois Innocence Project advocates on behalf of the imprisoned by researching and investigating claims of innocence, and providing legal representation in cases where credible claims for innocence can be made. It leverages undergraduates at the University of Illinois Springfield, and law students from the state's three public law schools, to work alongside, and at the direction of, IIP attorneys and outside expert counsel, like Kevin Caraher, to review, evaluate and, where strong evidence of innocence exists, investigate and legally pursue those claims

About Cozen O'Connor

Established in 1970 and ranked among the top 100 law firms in America, Cozen O'Connor has more than 700 attorneys who help clients manage risk and make better business decisions. The firm counsels clients on their most sophisticated legal matters in all areas of the law, including litigation, corporate and regulatory law. Representing a broad array of leading global corporations and middle market companies, Cozen O'Connor serves its clients' needs through 28 offices across two continents, including an office in downtown Chicago.

For more information on Kevin Caraher or on Cozen O'Connor, see www.cozen.com.

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