MacArthur Justice Center Taps Amy Breihan as New St. Louis Director

The MacArthur Justice Center is pleased to announce Amy Breihan as the new Director of the St. Louis office, effective immediately. Having served as a staff attorney in St. Louis office since its inception in 2016, Ms. Breihan has been a key architect and driving force shaping the office and its priorities.

As Director, Ms. Breihan will lead MacArthur’s demand for reform and accountability from the Missouri Department of Corrections, which includes state-wide litigation targeting the inadequate treatment of inmates with chronic Hepatitis C; the chronically under-resourced and over-burdened public defender system; and the state parole revocation process, by which thousands who see their freedom revoked each year over technicalities without due process.

Ms. Breihan has been a leading advocate for Missouri youth sentenced to die behind bars, serving since 2012 with a team of lawyers working to seek second-change sentences. She has provided direct representation to those clients in state and federal habeas proceedings, and in seeking review by the United States Supreme Court. Ms. Breihan brings this experience to MacArthur’s federal class action targeting the disregard and systematic denial of constitutionally-mandated due process to these youthful offenders.

The transition comes at a critical time for the office as Missouri’s criminal justice system continues to come under fire by activists, community organizations and the media.

“I’m delighted that Amy Breihan has agreed to assume leadership of our St. Louis office at this critical juncture. She and her team will continue to fight for real change in the Missouri criminal justice system,” said Locke Bowman, Executive Director of the MacArthur Justice Center.

Ms. Breihan has extensive trial, appellate, and mediation experience. She has prioritized public interest work throughout her career, representing pro bono clients in a variety of social justice matters, including proceedings under The Hague Convention. Prior to joining the MacArthur Justice Center, Ms. Breihan was a trial attorney with the law firm of Bryan Cave LLP.

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