The Ian Yankwitt Memorial Fund
The Ian Yankwitt Memorial Fund was created in 2021 in honor of Gideon’s Promise Board Member, Ian Yankwitt. This scholarship offers participants financial funds for 3 years during our Future Indigent Defense Leaders Program. Ian Yankwitt was deeply committed to equal justice for all. In particular, his work as a public defender gave Ian a connection to people in need and a hand in improving their experience in the criminal justice system. When Ian left the Federal Defenders, he left behind a piece of his soul. His obligation to provide for his family became paramount when his son, Casey, was diagnosed with autism, but Ian’s deep need to “do good” in the world continued. When he was introduced to Gideon’s Promise, Ian found a way to continue making his contribution to the betterment of the criminal justice system. He was passionate about the work of Gideon’s Promise and committed to supporting their mission. Through his final days, Ian pondered whether he had done enough “good” in the world.
About Ian Yankwitt
For so many people, Ian was the first person to call for advice, whether in his role as financial and investment advisor, criminal defense attorney, or simply as the person who gave the most thoughtful and helpful advice in matters ranging from professional development to personal relationships. Ian modeled what it meant to have a listening ear for all problems, big and small. No one was trusted more by more people.
Imagine never having a person to call when the when the biggest crisis in your life arises. This is the situation for four out of five people in America accused of crimes.
Unable to afford a lawyer, 80% of those in our criminal justice system are forced to rely on public defenders. Many are so overwhelmed, under-resourced, and beaten down that they provide little comfort to those who need them. Gideon’s Promise is committed to training and supporting public defenders to be able to provide the counsel their clients desperately need.
Ian understood that no one should be abandoned during their time of greatest need. It is why Gideon’s Promise meant so much to him.
Meet the Community
Ian Yankwitt Scholarship Recipients
These dynamic lawyers were because they exemplified ..
Vera Attaway
District 3A Pitt County Public Defender's Office
North Carolina Central University
Dominique Barile
Mecklenburg Pubic Defenders
St. Thomas University
Akruti Chandrayya
Shelby County Public Defender's Office
University of California, Los Angeles
Darren Chester
North Carolina Wake County Public Defender's Office
Charlotte School of Law
Margaret Greenway
Knox County Public Defender Community Law Office
University of Tennessee
Halle Hammond
Knox County Public Defender Community Law Office
Christopher Harper
Office of the Public Defender for Montgomery County
University of Michigan
Nathan Hartman
Luzerne County Public Defender
George Washington University School of Law
Abigail Hester
Mecklenburg Public Defenders
The University of Michigan
Deanna Hobbs
Lancaster County Public Defender's Office
University of Nebraska
Hunter Holtzclaw
North Carolina Wake County Public Defender's Office
Campbell University
Catherine (Cat) Kearney
Orleans Public Defender
University of Pennsylvania
Aiesha Krause-Lee
Center for Death Penalty Litigation/Indigent Defense Services (NC)
New York University
Sarah Langer
Kentucky Department of Public Advocacy
Washington University
Courtney Lewis
Office of Capital and Forensic Writs (TIDC)
Penn State Dickinson Law
Jacob Margolis
Cuyahoga County Public Defender Office
Cleveland State University
Kate McMurchie
Metropolitan Public Defenders (Portland, OR)
New York University
Rasheed. Merrell
Office of the Fulton County Public Defender - Atlanta Judicial Circuit
Mercer University
Kaitlynn (Katie) Morford
Cuyahoga County Public Defender's Office
Cleveland State University
Ashley Needham
Metropolitan Public Defenders (Portland, OR)
Lewis & Clark Law School
Kyle Obiora
Office of the Stone Mountain Circuit Public Defender (Dekalb County)
Emory University
Rasahn Perry
Kentucky Department of Public Advocacy
University of Kansas
Elizabeth Ponder
Carteret County Public Defenders Office
Suffolk University
Elana Samuels
Kentucky Department of Public Advocacy
University of Tennessee
Dillon Sharpe
Mecklenburg Public Defenders
North Carolina Central University
Marisa Skillings
Knox County Public Defender's Community Law Office
Harvard Law School
Demetria Stuart
Chatham County Public Defender's Office - North Carolina District 15B
North Carolina Central University
Darceny Winston
Hamilton County Public Defender
University of Cincinnati
Elizabeth (Lizzy) Wolozin
Metropolitan Public Defenders (Portland, OR)
New York University
About Us
A Change is Coming
We defend our most vulnerable communities from the effects of mass incarceration — keeping families together with dignity.
Our Mission
To transform the criminal justice system by building a movement of public defenders who provide equal justice for marginalized communities.
Our Vision
We envision a nation where every person has access to zealous, outstanding representation necessary to ensure “equal justice for all” in the criminal justice arena.
Protecting This Promise
You don't have to be a public defender to protect the promise of zealous counsel for all. Your monthly contribution--no matter the amount--will directly impact the fate of a client accused of a crime, who didn't know they needed you.