Perkins Coie's Hamdan Representation Makes Front Page News

As has been widely reported in the press, Perkins Coie has been representing Salim Ahmed Hamdan, Osama bin Laden's personal driver, on a pro bono basis since February of 2004. Mr. Hamdan was one of the first detainees at Guantanamo Bay to be charged. He was apprehended in November 2001 and in 2006 the United States Supreme Court ruled that his trial before a military commission was unconstitutional. In direct response to the Court's ruling, the United States Congress passed the Military Commissions Act of 2006, and Mr. Hamdan was required to stand trial in July and August on charges of conspiracy and material support for terrorism. His case was the first to be tried under the Military Commissions Act, and the first contested War Crimes trial before a Military Commission conducted by the United States since World War II. On August 7, after a three-week trial, a jury of six military officers at Guantanamo Bay convicted Mr. Hamdan of material support but acquitted him of the more serious charge of conspiracy. The Government asked for a life sentence, but the jury sentenced Mr. Hamdan to serve only an additional five months of confinement. The historic trial and surprisingly lenient sentence has been front page news around the globe. The day of the verdict, Google reported over 6,000 newspaper articles covering the story. Perkins Coie personnel involved in the trial included partners Joe McMillan and Harry Schneider, and paralegal Trish Marino. Co-counsel at trial were U.S. Navy Lt. Commander Brian Mizer and retired Lt. Commander Charles Swift. Other Perkins Coie personnel who worked on the case include associates Charles Sipos, Rebecca Engrav, Paige Pratter, and Eric Merrifield.

Below are links highlighting some of the press coverage the firm has received on the case:

BainbridgeReview.com, 08.20.2008
Los Angeles Times, 08.17.2008
KPLU 88.5 NPR, 08.14.2008
Seattle Times, 08.13.2008
Miami Herald, 08.07.2008
Miami Herald, 08.04.2008
Miami Herald, 07.23.2008
New York Times, 07.23.2008
Miami Herald Trial Pictures:
Court Room Sketch, 07.23.2008
Questioning Sketch, 07.23.2008
Defense Team Photo, 12.03.2007
Pool Sketch, 06.04.2007