Imagine a life teetering on the brink, dominated by drug addiction and the shadow of prison.
Now envision that same life, not succumbing to despair, but blossoming into an inspiring testament of grit and determination.
This is Sarah Gad’s story.
Once plagued by addiction, she dared to dream big and pursued a law degree. Today, she stands not only as a law graduate but a practicing attorney, having recently clinched a significant victory in her debut murder case.
Our tale takes off with Benjamin Richardson, a man who stepped out of Hennepin County Jail, absolved of murder charges.
This was a triumphant moment, not just for Richardson, but also for Gad, his unwavering advocate.
It marked her first murder case.
She spent half a year persuading the judge and prosecutors to acknowledge the paucity of evidence. Gad’s resilience and tenacity shone throughout this quest for justice.
Yet, the road to this achievement was strewn with obstacles.
Gad had been wrestling with an opioid addiction since a car accident in 2012.
From 2012 to 2015, she accumulated seven non-violent felony drug convictions and had frequent encounters with the jail system in Pennsylvania and Hennepin County, Minnesota.
However, a journey to Chicago and a subsequent hellish 27-day stint in the Cook County Jail became a pivotal turning point in her life.
While confined in Cook County Jail, Gad endured profound physical and emotional trauma. She was assaulted, stabbed, and more.
When her family began to voice their concerns and reach out for help, she was thrust into solitary confinement.
Among those they contacted was Kathleen Zellner, a renowned attorney featured in the Netflix documentary “Making a Murderer.”
Zellner took an interest in Gad’s case, and despite Gad’s ongoing battle with addiction, she remained steadfast in her support.
Gad finally had a ray of hope.
Zellner brought Gad on board at her law firm, where Gad found the work deeply gratifying.
She experienced a profoundly moving moment when she witnessed a man she helped exonerate from a wrongful murder conviction take his first steps toward freedom.
This encounter ignited Gad’s desire to go to law school.
She secured a place at the prestigious University of Chicago Law School.
Gad faced yet another challenge on her path.
A Hennepin County judge held the power to imprison her due to a mandatory minimum sentence for repeat drug offenders.
Despite this, the judge chose to give Gad the benefit of the doubt, allowing her to embark on her law school journey, albeit with an ankle monitor.
Gad completed law school in 2020 and earned her license to practice law in August 2022.
Gad’s intimate knowledge of the criminal justice system, the courts, the jails, and her personal battle with addiction shaped her into the person she is today.
When Richardson’s case was dismissed, she encountered a familiar face – a judge from her past life.
The judge was taken aback to see her in the role of an attorney, a stark contrast to the criminal defendant she once was.
This surprise encounter only underscored Gad’s remarkable transformation.
Attorney Kathleen Zellner expressed her admiration for Gad, stating, “I recognized her enormous potential for making a real contribution to society, and I tried to influence her in that direction. She has transformed herself from a criminal defendant into a champion for the legally oppressed. All she needed was a second chance.”
So, how did Gad pay for all of that law school?
Gad funded her law school education through a settlement she received from Cook County, highlighting her indomitable spirit and resilience.
Sarah Gad’s journey is more than just a story; it’s a powerful demonstration of the elasticity of the human spirit.
Her transition from a life marred by addiction and imprisonment to a practicing attorney is a beam of hope and inspiration.
If Sarah’s story says anything, it’s that it’s never too late to chart a new course in life.
Learn more about Sarah and her journey in the video below!
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