Justice through second chances: Our expungement and record sealing efforts

Criminal records could make it difficult to pursue employment, education, housing, and other opportunities. Across the United States, DLA Piper lawyers and business professionals volunteer to help individuals seeking to expunge or seal their criminal records.

• In 2024, our teams devoted more than 600 hours to helping more than a dozen expungement clients in Washington, DC.

“It has been such a pleasure to supervise associates handling requests to seal criminal records in Washington, DC. We have helped clients get a fresh start, and I’ve enjoyed mentoring our lawyers in this meaningful area of law.”

– Co-Chair of Appellate Advocacy Samantha Chaifetz (Washington, DC)

• In East Palo Alto, DLA Piper works with Community Legal Services to host criminal record clearance clinics. Volunteers review potential clients’ Record of Arrests and Prosecutions (RAP) sheets to determine eligibility for record sealing or reduction and assist individuals in drafting court documents.

“We're providing people with opportunities they may not have had before. Reviewing the RAP sheets highlights how hard it is to break the cycle of recurring infractions; if our record-clearing efforts can be that catalyst, I’m glad to help.”

– Palo Alto Office Managing Partner and Co-Chair of Technology and Life Sciences Licensing and Commercial Transactions Victoria Lee (Silicon Valley)

• Lawyers and business professionals in our Short Hills and New York offices work with Volunteer Lawyers for Justice on its Re-entry Legal Services project. Over the past year, volunteers have advised clients on their eligibility for record-clearing relief and assisted eligible petitioners, as well as helped individuals restore their driver’s licenses. Our Short Hills lawyers have also worked extensively with Legal Services of New Jersey, assisting clients with expunging their criminal records.

“The New Jersey expungement process is complicated and confusing, despite being set up for people to submit petitions on their own. It is rewarding to help clients through this process so they can move on from their past mistakes and pursue better opportunities.”

– Partner Kira Mineroff (Short Hills)

“Assisting DC residents with expungement matters combines my skills and passion to help my community overcome the burdens of their past. Assisting in rehabilitation and helping others increase their quality of life is a joy for me.”

– Associate Traneke Hamrick (Washington, DC)