Part One of a Three-Part Series: "Conversations with the Profession"

Sponsored by Fox Rothschild

In 2003, John Thompson of New Orleans narrowly escaped execution for a murder he didn't commit when he was found not guilty in a new trial — one that only happened because of the work of two diligent attorneys, Michael L. Banks and J. Gordon Cooney of Morgan Lewis. The two spent 15 years — all pro bono — on Thompson's case and discovered blood evidence that the prosecution had hidden, leading to a new trial and acquittal.

Half of this all-star team, Michael Banks, along with Morgan Lewis attorney Mike Eagles, were on campus October 18 for the first of several "Conversations with the Profession," a series of interactive talks designed to give Drexel Law students a behind-the-scenes look at lawyers who have impacted the profession or worked on landmark cases. The events were hosted by Lou Fryman, former managing partner of Fox Rothschild, with generous support from the firm.

View pictures from the presentation below. You can also review the PowerPoint presentation created by Michael Banks and Mike Eagles.

The Paul Peck Alumni Center on Drexel's Main Campus was the site of the first "Conversations with the Profession." The story of the two attorneys who handled the appeal for the wrongly convicted man is being made into a film.		Before the "Conversation" begins: Attorneys (l. to rt.) Michael Banks, from Morgan Lewis, Acting Dean Jennifer Rosato, Lou Fryman, former managing partner of Fox Rothschild, and Mike Eagles from Morgan Lewis.		4:15 p.m.: Students begin to gather for the presentation, held in the historic Peck Center on Drexel's Main Campus.
Lou Fryman introduces the two main presenters.		Michael Banks, (l.) and Mike Eagles, (rt.) give an overview of the case history to a full house of assembled Drexel Law students.		Michael Banks, (l.) and Mike Eagles, (rt.) lay out the timeline of the case as it progressed over the years.
Michael Banks points out a detailed drawing - "State's Evidence" at the time of the trial that describes the crime scene and relates testimony by the defendant.		Drexel Law students absorb every word of the fascinating story of how John Thompson's sentence was eventually overturned.		Mike Eagles and Michael Banks field questions from the students. The true story had a happy ending and John Thompson is a free man.