BARRY G. WILLIAMS, WHO SPENT 41 YEARS INCARCERATED— 32 OF THOSE YEARS ON DEATH ROW.

CONTACT: Kameron Coefield, 202-938-3524, info@mayjung.com

CALIFORNIA (May 16, 2024) – National civil rights firms based in California, May Jung Law Personal Injury Lawyers and Orange Law Offices, P.C. filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Central District of California against the County of Los Angeles, City of Los Angeles, as well as multiple involved individuals, including former Los Angeles Deputy District Attorneys Carmen Trutanich and James Jacobs, former Los Angeles District Attorney office investigator Jim Bell, former Los Angeles Police Department officer Miguel Mejia (Estate of), and former Los Angeles Sherriff Department deputy Joe Holmes on behalf of Barry G. Williams. This civil rights action concerns the unlawful and unconstitutional deprivation of Mr. Williams’ rights, privileges, and immunities secured by the Constitution and the laws of the State of California. In addition, the lawsuit is brought on behalf of Mr. Williams’ son, Damien Williams, who was two years old when he was incarcerated. He grew up without a father physically present in his life and he is now 43 years old.

Mr. Williams was 19 years old when he was arrested and subsequently convicted of two murders.   Mr. Williams spent 41 years of his life incarcerated—32 of those years on death row. He was 62 years old when he was released. The Defendants not only stole decades of Mr. Williams’ freedom, they forced him to spend 32 long years in a death row 4x10 foot cell, largely in isolation, and consumed with his impending execution.

The federal complaint alleges countless conspired actions and omissions by the District Attorney’s office, the Los Angeles Police Department (“LAPD”), and the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department (“LASD”) that deprived Mr. Williams of his constitutional rights, including due process. Specifically, the complaint cites the actions of District Attorney Trutanich who knew that a witness was providing false testimony against Williams and did not provide this vital information to Mr. Williams’ attorney at the time of the trial. Additionally, the investigators for the LAPD’s infamous and disreputed CRASH unit suppressed exculpatory evidence and provided false testimony during Mr. Williams’ trial in an effort to bolster the state’s case to obtain the wrongful conviction. A federal Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division lawsuit was launched in 2000, largely related to the unlawful misconduct of the CRASH unit officers.  Similarly, Mr. Williams’ death penalty conviction was largely based on an unreliable jailhouse snitch. In fact, Mr. Williams’ conviction also coincided with a grand jury investigation identifying multiple concerns, including findings that the LADA “failed to fulfill the ethical responsibilities required of a public prosecutor by its deliberate and informed declination (refusal) to take the action necessary to curtail the misuse of jailhouse informant testimony;” and that the LASD “failed to establish adequate procedures to control improper placement of inmates, with the foreseeable result that false claims of confessions or admissions would be made.” By the time these systemic issues were exposed in the late 1990s and early 2000s, it was too late. Mr. Williams was already sitting on death row.

Civil rights attorney, Olu K. Orange, stated – “Everything about what the government did to Mr. Williams was utterly and horribly wrong. Mr. Williams deserves justice and City and County officials must be held accountable. We intend to make that happen.”

Partner Je Yon Jung stated, “Mr. Williams and his son will never get back the years that were taken from him by the State. Mr. Williams will never recover from the mental and physical toll that 32 years on death row caused him. His son will never know what it is like to have a father attend his sporting events or to give him fatherly advice. There is no amount of money too large to compensate for what they have lost. This lawsuit is to send a message that will prevent this from happening again.”

The National Registry of Exonerations data shows that in 2023 at least 118 exonerations were marred by official misconduct. In 2022 84% of exonerations were persons of color and nearly 61% of exonerees are Black.

For more information about May Jung Law Personal Injury Lawyers, go to www.mayjung.com.

On March 7, 2024, LaRuby May joined Mansa Musa of the Rattling the Bars Podcast. Their conversation focused on the ongoing battle for justice for the victims and survivors abused while detained as children at Maryland Department of Juvenile Services facilities. 

The podcast gives listeners direct insight into the importance of the Maryland Child Victims Act of 2023, the significance of May Jung’s class action lawsuit to black and brown communities, and the critical need to bring about systemic change in the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services: 

“Having folks who’ve been touched by and part of the juvenile justice system, the Department of Corrections, that’s all very personal to me. You know what I mean? Whether or not it’s from family members, immediate family members, or other family members. The opportunity that we have as a law firm to be able to go and hold people accountable for harm—specifically harm that’s happening disproportionately to Black and Brown folks, to Black and Brown children—is the privilege that I have.”

LaRuby May

Read and listen to the full interview here. 

Learn More About Our Class Action Lawsuit

If you or someone you know endured sexual abuse by staff while detained in a Maryland Department of Juvenile Services facility and would like to learn more about this class action lawsuit or how to become involved, you can visit here and book a free consultation by filling out the below form or calling 833-MAY-JUNG. To learn

Your information will be handled with the utmost confidentiality and care.

We pride ourselves on bringing together a diverse and powerful group of team members. And, while we share core values and a passion for social justice, we’re made even stronger by the diverse thinking, expertise, and lived experiences that each person brings to the team.

This blog series is designed to help you get to know each of them!

Meet Arezoo Taef

Arezoo Taef is a passionate advocate for justice with a remarkable journey. Born in Iran, she fled persecution with her family, seeking asylum in Turkey before immigrating to the United States at 18. In 2006, she graduated from Hamilton College with a B.A. in Women’s Studies.

For over a decade, Arezoo has dedicated her career to representing underserved and marginalized communities, drawing from her own experiences to champion human rights through the legal system. She values honesty and commitment in all aspects of life. Outside work, she’s a devoted wife and mother of two, finding solace in cooking and reading.

What attracted you to work at May Jung?

AT: An outstanding group of women who want to fight for justice for the underprivileged and people who really cannot afford hiring an attorney or some don’t know their rights.

What’s your why? What–or who–motivates you everyday?

AT: What satisfies me and motivates me is when I know at the end of my workday, what I did, even if it was very small, was effective and may change lives, even if it was a drop from the ocean of all we could accomplish for each client we represent.

What is a childhood experience that helped shape who you are today?

AT: I have an older sister who has a mental disability. Most of the time, when we had to take public transportation, people made fun of her and laughed at her. I always had to speak up and tell them that just because she has a disability does not mean she should be treated differently. She is one of God’s beautiful creations and she must be treated kindly and with love. Most of the time people would still be very unfriendly to us and throw things at us or push us around, but as a kid, especially being a girl, I couldn’t do much.

Is there a personal experience or a specific moment that clarified your passion for working in law?

AT: We escaped Iran because of the persecutions against the Baha’is. When we immigrated to the State, I went to Hamilton College and majored in Women’s Studies. My courses really opened a new world for me. I didn’t know about all the rights that I had and were taken away from me.

Also, I didn’t know about all the prejudices and injustices around the world for different reasons—race, class, gender, religion—and to my surprise, so much was happening right here in America, where we thought it was the “land of freedom. With my background, and past experiences, I was able to connect to so many of the events and books and the people I was learning about. It was then that I realized that what happened to me and the difficulties I went through helped me, shaped who I am today.

I wanted to use my past as a gift to help others who are in the same situation or even worse—help them to see that there is a better world out there for them and that they, too, deserve to live a free and good life. And that we were all created by one God and color, race, gender, or religion, do not make one human better than another.

Is there a specific case or project you’ve worked on that had a profound impact on you personally? Why did it resonate with you?

AT: I worked on Talcum powder (mass tort) cases for more than 3 years. Many of our clients had ovarian cancer and some had lost their hair, were very weak, and had recurrence. We even had a few clients that passed away while we were still representing them. It was sad to see how these big corporations targeted low income, and specific races and populations of color to sell their products, which they knew was unsafe and dangerous to use and caused cancer. All of this is happening right here in America, the first world.

In your opinion, what sets May Jung apart from others in the field?

AT: Their willingness to hear and represent clients that their very simple rights taken away from them by the powerful and hierarchy. May Jung has taken the case—they may not make much money (as attorneys) but they know they have brought justice. They hold press conferences where everyday-people can see them on the news, social media. If they believe their rights have been taken away from them, they have the choice to call the firm and be heard.

How would you define the idea of social justice?

AT: Everyone deserves equal social, economic and political opportunities. There is no greater race, color, gender or class.

What values shape the way you approach your work?

AT: Respect, honestly, humanity, working at a place where everyone genuinely cares for ‘is’others’ wellbeing.

Beyond your professional role, what are some personal interests or passions that influence the way you approach your work?

AT: I enjoy caring for people, hearing about their difficulties and just being a shoulder for people who need mental support. I try to connect with them and share my life and family with my clients to show them I am no better than them and that they are valuable to me. They are more than clients to me. They are like my family.

What are some of your hobbies or interests outside of work?

AT: I LOVE Cooking, LOVE reading non-fiction, books based on true events and true stories, (hard cover, not electronic), memoir, and child education

What’s something about yourself that doesn’t show up in your bio?

AT: I love planning big events, fundraising, weddings, big parties. Even though it is very stressful to have everyone on the same page and a lot of begging people (when it comes to doing something for free especially), there is so much joy at the end result for me.

Are there any specific areas of law that you’re particularly passionate about? How does that passion shape your work?

AT: I have done mass tort and Personal injury cases. I have enjoyed working closely with clients, hearing their stories, talking to them when they need to, making sure they are okay and that they can feel comfortable with our office/ attorney and staff, that we are there for them to bring justice to victims.

What do you hope to achieve or contribute to the legal field during your career?

AT: I would like to work with like-minded, caring and respectful colleagues who have the same goal as mine, to help people and hear unprivileged people who truly need a hand and give them a voice to be heard. It is very important for me to be able to be humble and yet know my grounds when to fight and what is worth fighting for.

If you had unlimited resources to solve one societal challenge, what would it be and why?

AT: Unequal educational opportunities

If you could discover the answer to one question, what would you ask?

AT: Why for some people it is always a hard life, full of challenges, and some just live a good life and it always seems to be easy for them! Where is the reward? Fairness?

If you could have a meal with any living person, who would you choose and why?

AT: My family (my parents, sister, my husband and my children, love them all)

Imagine yourself in 20 years. What’s something meaningful you want to have achieved?

AT: Being able to afford paying for my kids to go to college and to get a good education without being in debt for 20 more years to come! I want to be a proud parent that I was able to give all I could to my children to be good and useful members of their community and that they can change lives as well.

What’s the biggest opportunity for the May Jung team to seize?

AT: Become a good, trustworthy, and valuable paralegal/ assistant/ team player, and to work genuinely to meet the true goals of May Jung. Every person is good at something and knowing what I can bring to the table is also as valuable as others, and motivates me to improve and feel home.

We pride ourselves on bringing together a diverse and powerful group of team members. While we share core values and a passion for social justice, we’re made even stronger by the diverse thinking, expertise, and lived experiences that each person brings to the team. 

This blog series is designed to help you get to know each of them!

Meet Nicola Larmond-Harvey

Introducing Nicola Larmond-Harvey, R.N., M.B.A., J.D., a nurse attorney who passionately advocates for individuals facing disparities in the legal and healthcare systems. With a rich educational background, including a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Connecticut, a Master’s in Healthcare Administration from American Intercontinental University, and a Juris Doctor from Stetson University College of Law, Nicola’s dedication earned her the prestigious American Association of Nurse Attorneys award during law school. She practiced at Saunders & Walker, P.A., specializing in medical device and drugs Product Liability, Medical Malpractice, and Personal Injury until 2022. Nicola’s relentless pursuit of justice led her to be appointed by a federal judge to the Leadership Development Committee. Now at May Jung, she continues to advocate for change, combating racial inequalities and striving for equitable access to legal and healthcare resources.

Beyond her professional achievements, Nicola cherishes her role as a wife and mother of three. When not championing her clients’ rights, she enjoys reconnecting with her Jamaican roots and exploring diverse cultures and cuisines through travel. Nicola Larmond-Harvey’s exceptional journey and unwavering commitment make her a powerful force in the pursuit of justice and healthcare equity for all.

What attracted you to work at May Jung? 

Nicola: The May Jung firm provides me the opportunity to do work that addresses systemic inequalities, providing an opportunity to work on cases and issues that have the potential to bring about meaningful change and improve the lives of marginalized communities.

What’s your why? What–or who–motivates you everyday? 

Nicola: My “why” is to live in my purpose by serving and helping others. My life’s purpose is to serve humanity and make a positive difference in the world. My passion for advocating for others encompasses my family and extends to every client I am blessed to serve.

What is a childhood experience that helped shape who you are today? 

Nicola: I was born in a developing country, migrating to the USA at 13. Moving to America was a culture shock because I had never experienced racism in my birth country. Experiencing racism for the first time during my teenage years profoundly impacted my identity, leaving a lasting impression on my worldview, self-perception, and interactions with others.

Is there a personal experience or a specific moment that clarified your passion for working in law? 

Nicola: I worked as a Registered Nurse for several years and saw the disparate treatment received by people perceived as “poor.”  I developed an interest in understanding health insurance payment systems, leading to attending law school.

Is there a specific case or project you’ve worked on that had a profound impact on you personally? Why did it resonate with you? 

Nicola: The Johnson & Johnson Talcum Powder Litigation has impacted my legal practice. I was shocked by the lack of mandatory regulations and oversight regarding talcum powder and other cosmetic products. The ongoing litigation has also revealed the difficulties in holding manufacturers liable.

In your opinion, what sets May Jung apart from others in the field? 

Nicola: The partners and the team members at May Jung are distinguished by their passion for social justice due to their unique personal experiences and a strong desire to bring about positive changes for marginalized individuals. This perspective helps them approach each case differently and identify and address systemic issues contributing to social injustice, aiming for long-lasting change rather than temporary fixes.

How would you define the idea of social justice? 

Nicola: Social justice to me is fairness and equality in society, where all individuals have equal access to resources, opportunities, and fundamental human rights, regardless of their background, identity, or social status. Social justice embodies any advocacy to address and rectify societal systemic injustices and inequalities.

What values shape the way you approach your work? 

Nicola: My work is motivated by a desire to follow Jesus Christ’s values, which encourage love, compassion, and service to others. This example inspires me to approach my work with integrity, humility, and a focus on helping others.

Beyond your professional role, what are some personal interests or passions that influence the way you approach your work? 

Nicola: It is important to me that I treat everyone I encounter with the respect that I desire from others. And it’s my daily mission to leave others feeling positive with every encounter.

What are some of your hobbies or interests outside of work? 

Nicola: I enjoy traveling and experiencing the foods of various cultures around the world.

Are there any specific areas of law that you’re particularly passionate about? How does that passion shape your work? 

Nicola: I enjoy working on healthcare-law-related cases because of the opportunity to impact law and policy that can change the healthcare delivery system.

What do you hope to achieve or contribute to the legal field during your career? 

Nicola: I desire that every case I am blessed to work on positively impacts the clients and influences the defendant to do things differently as it concerns specific populations.

If you had unlimited resources to solve one societal challenge, what would it be and why?  

Nicola: Reading is one of the gateways to success for individuals and a better society. I would promote literacy and help every child become a proficient reader.

If you could discover the answer to one question, what would you ask? 

Nicola: I would like to know what the key to human conscience is.

If you could have a meal with any living person, who would you choose and why? 

Nicola: Damian Marley’s lyrics in his music embody a unique perspective on people and society. I would enjoy breaking bread with him.

Imagine yourself in 20 years. What’s something meaningful you want to have achieved? 

Nicola: In 20 years, I desire to have impacted changes in healthcare laws that enable marginalized individuals to access better healthcare.

What’s the biggest opportunity for the May Jung team to seize? 

Nicola: May Jung should seize opportunities to engage in impactful and innovative work that addresses pressing social issues. By aligning our work with the needs of marginalized communities, we can make a meaningful difference in promoting justice, equality, and human rights for all.

We pride ourselves on bringing together a diverse and powerful group of team members. And, while we share core values and a passion for social justice, we’re made even stronger by the diverse thinking, expertise, and lived experiences that each person brings to the team. 

This blog series is designed to help you get to know each of them!

Meet JP Wakeling

Jaeun “JP” Wakeling has been a part of the May Jung team from the beginning – joining the firm at its launch in November of 2022. She brings her high level of organizational skills and passion for activism to work as a Paralegal. 

JP earned a BA in Economics with a minor in Public Policy from UC Berkeley in 2021.  She has previously worked as a sales data analyst for a family-owned foodservice company, as a research assistant for UC Berkeley and the National Bureau of Economic Research, and on the weekend, she serves as a Financial Management Officer in the Army Reserves.

What attracted you to work at May Jung?

JP: When I interviewed for the firm, Je Yon explained to me that the mission of the firm was to give underrepresented people another avenue for justice. This is the type of mission that compels you to work late, makes it easy to come in to work early, and necessitates that you give 110%. I wanted to work at May Jung because I knew that the mission of the firm would force me to reach my full potential because our clients often have no one else fighting for them.

What’s your why? What–or who–motivates you every day?

JP: My family is my reason for everything. My parents, who immigrated to America with nothing and have given me everything, and my husband, who is my best friend and who pushes me to be my best.

What is a childhood experience that helped shape who you are today?

JP: I grew up with parents that taught me the value of my rights – as a citizen and as a human. Some of my earliest memories are of being at demonstrations for immigrant rights in Los Angeles. Growing up around people who were passionate about fighting for what they deserve instilled a very strong sense of duty and pride in me, and has compelled me to continue the fight.

Is there a personal experience or a specific moment that clarified your passion for working in law?

JP: Not as serious as my other answers, but probably watching the West Wing.

Is there a specific case or project you’ve worked on that had a profound impact on you personally? Why did it resonate with you?

JP: The cases that have impacted me the most are the cases where we are up against big pharmaceutical companies. Our clients are folks who have just been trying to live their lives, and have taken a medication that was purported to help them, but instead they find their lives irrevocably harmed by a company that doesn’t care about anyone and anything but their own bottom line. These cases cut kind of deep because there’s an evil driven by greed that scares me a lot, but it’s also what makes the work we do so important.

In your opinion, what sets May Jung apart from others in the field?

JP: We are 100% minority owned, and our mission statement, “Justice for our people is personal” says it all – our people are those who have not really had an avenue for justice before, and May Jung is one of the first to pave the way.

How would you define the idea of social justice?

JP: To me, social justice is about righting the wrongs of society.

What values shape the way you approach your work?

JP: I always want to be a member of a team that is reliable and known for quality. My parents really stressed the importance of being a good member of society, and by extension a good member of the team. It’s important to me that people know that they can count on me to be there for anything and everything that comes our way.

Beyond your professional role, what are some personal interests or passions that influence the way you approach your work?

JP: I’m a huge nerd so I love to read up on processes, rules, regulations, etc. It’s why law is kind of a perfect fit – because I can geek out on systems and love learning how they work.

What are some of your hobbies or interests outside of work?

JP: I love reading, traveling, and eating out. I love to try new restaurants and explore new spots with my husband.

What’s something about yourself that doesn’t show up in your bio?

JP: My secret dream is to move to Japan. I’m addicted to sweets. My favorite state that I’ve visited is, unexpectedly, Missouri.

What do you hope to achieve or contribute to the legal field during your career?

JP: I’d like to eventually contribute to legislation. Or continue in the civil litigation field. I’m not quite sure yet, just definitely sure that I want to become an attorney one day.

If you had unlimited resources to solve one societal challenge, what would it be and why?

JP: I would like to develop the perfect education system. It’s one public policy problem that I’m super passionate about, because I think it’s the great equalizer, and I also think it’s incredibly important to make society function efficiently.

If you could learn the answer to one question, what would you ask?

JP: Why does my dog have to take one bite of kibble from the bowl and then have to hide it somewhere else? And then she comes back to eat the rest in the bowl?

If you could have a meal with any living person, who would you choose and why?

JP: Michael Lewis – he’s the author of Moneyball, the Big Short, the Blind Side. Moneyball is the reason why I majored in Economics. I’ve read every book of his that I could get my hands on and would totally geek out if I could have a conversation with him.

Imagine yourself in 20 years. What’s something meaningful you want to have achieved?

JP: In 20 years, I’ve hopefully gone to law school, passed the bar, and am working as an attorney in DC. 

What’s the biggest opportunity for the May Jung team to seize?

JP: We need to go international! Go bigger! People everywhere deserve the level of dedication and fight that we will give.