Yatvin essay published in The Champion magazine

The May issue of The Champion, magazine of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) contains an essay by Popper & Yatvin partner, Alan L. Yatvin.


Informal Opinion: Representing ‘Those People’ Achieves Justice

By Alan L. Yatvin

“How can you represent those people?” In three decades as a criminal defense attorney, I had heard that question many times — at cocktail parties and from prosecutors, police, victims, law students, and once even from a judge. It comes with the territory. I understand that people accused of crimes are often automatically condemned, while their lawyers are regarded with contempt. However, as I walked along that steamy January afternoon, I was shocked by the source of the question. This time it was my wife, Laura, prompted by a just completed hour-long audio tour of a former fruit orchard on the outskirts of Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

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50th Anniversary of Gideon

This month we commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the decision in Gideon v. Wainwright, 372 U.S. 335 (1963), which changed the face of criminal prosecution by declaring a broad right to counsel for poor criminal defendants.  Go to this page of our blog to learn more about the history of the decision.

Thurgood Marshall Award Presentation

Here are a few pictures from the December 4, 2012 reception of the Criminal Justice Section of the Philadelphia Bar Association, where Alan Yatvin was presented the 2012 Thurgood Marshall Criminal Justice Award.  Read more at the Section’s blog.

After Thurgood Marshall Award recipient Alan Yatvin was introduced by David Rudovsky (c), Section Chair Kevin Mincey (l) made the presentation.

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Alan Yatvin receives Thurgood Marshall Award from Philadelphia Bar

Alan Yatvin received the Thurgood Marshall Award from the Philadelphia Bar Association’s Criminal Justice Section at a reception on December 4, 2012. The Thurgood Marshall Award is the highest honor given by the Criminal Justice Section.  It is presented to a person who exemplifies the ideals of Justice Thurgood Marshall’s career. The Award is given … Read more