WE FIGHT TO WIN

Aaron Spolin

Aaron Spolin is a former prosecutor and a published author of multiple books on criminal law, including Witness Misidentification in Criminal Trials and Fighting Federal Writs of Habeas Corpus.  He handles criminal appeals, writs, and other forms of post-conviction relief in Texas, New York, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and various federal courts in the jurisdictions listed. Aaron is not eligible to practice law outside of the above-listed jurisdictions.  He received his B.A. from Princeton University and his J.D. from U.C. Berkeley School of Law, where he was a member of the California Law Review.

Matt Daher

Matt Daher is the lead attorney for the firm's Texas cases, which includes direct appeals, 11.07 motions, federal writs, and other post-conviction relief.  He has extensive experience litigating both criminal and civil cases in state and federal courts throughout the United States. He brings the same cutthroat tenacity as a litigator to the work he does on criminal appeals. Drawing from personal experience, as well as the experiences of his clients, Matt is deeply aware of the challenges everyone faces when navigating through labyrinthian court systems that often seem more concerned with efficiency than the truth. Mr. Daher received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Missouri – Columbia School of Law and his Bachelor’s Degree in Anthropology from the University of Utah. He is admitted to practice law in Texas and Missouri state courts, as well as all Texas federal courts.

Caitlin Dukes

Caitlin Dukes is a former prosecutor who handles criminal appeals, writs, and other post-conviction relief for the firm’s clients.  Admitted in California, Texas, New York, and Pennsylvania, she currently focuses on the firm's Pennsylvania cases. She has a wide array of experience in state and federal courts. Besides having served as a Deputy District Attorney, her background includes work for multiple judges and government entities (including Federal District Court Judge James Knoll Gardner and the United States Department of Homeland Security) as well as private sector experience defending clients wrongfully accused of crimes.

Lauren Allu

Lauren E. Allu has been an attorney for over 20 years. She is licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey. Lauren has vast courtroom experience and has been practicing criminal defense law for many years. She has significant appellate and post-conviction experience in multiple jurisdictions. She graduated from Fordham Law School in New York City and Lehigh University in Pennsylvania for undergraduate. She is the Managing Attorney for Criminal Appeals Advocates in the New York and Pennsylvania region. She lives with her daughter and labrador retriever in Pennsylvania.

Kristen Mason

Kristen J. Mason brings a wealth of experience fighting criminal law cases up and down the state of California. She handles the California cases for Criminal Appeals Advocates. Before joining the firm she managed a regional office of a state-wide criminal law practice, which included a number of other attorneys.  In addition to her experience, she brings to her cases a background fighting prosecutors and an understanding that our criminal justice system is woefully broken and regularly punishes or over-punishes those who are undeserving of such treatment.

Danie McCreary

Danie McCreary, the firm’s Law Office Manager, has over ten years of experience working as a trial assistant and office manager in a criminal defense law firm. She is extremely capable, organized, and committed to the firm's goals of client service and maximizing positive outcomes

Katie Winchester

Katie Winchester is the firm's Assistant Office Manager.  She is also the head of the administrative team for the firm's Pennsylvania, New York, and Michigan cases.  Katie has an extensive background in the realm of courts and the law, including experience as a California Superior Court deputy court clerk and as an investigator for the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.

Michael Alfi

Michael Alfi is the firm's mailroom manager.  As a post-conviction law practice, the firm has an enormous amount of mail that it receives on a regular basis, including tens of thousands of pages of court transcripts.  Michael manages the incoming and outgoing mail while also digitizing the court records for the use of the firm's attorneys.

Jim Castro

Jim Castro is an intake manager. He brings to the firm experience working at other law firms and also serving as a criminal deputy court clerk in Hays County, Texas.

Nicole Arnold

Nicole Arnold serves as the Texas Office Manager. She brings to the firm over ten years of customer service and management experience. Her past work along with her business education assist her in her goal of efficient, accurate, and respectful communication about the case. With a degree in Accounting, Business Management & Administration, she strives to make sure that all administrative tasks are completed efficiently and effectively.  Outside of work, you can find Nicole exploring the outdoors and enjoying time with her daughters.

Kate Perales

Kate Perales serves as the California Office Manager. She also has been a certified paralegal since 2022.  Before joining the firm she had managed a mid-sized nonprofit law office, which included client communication, paralegal work, and organization.  She is eager to serve the firm's California clients as they navigate the complex and patently unfair legal system that the state currently has.