Press Release

Contact:
Tripp Laino, 202-999-4273
tlaino@famm.org

Maria Goellner hired as FAMM’s Pennsylvania State Director 

WASHINGTON – FAMM President Kevin Ring today announced that Maria Goellner has been hired as FAMM’s Pennsylvania State Director. Goellner most recently served as Assistant Federal Defender for the Western District of Pennsylvania.

“We are so excited to have someone with Maria’s experience, talent and passion join our team,” said Ring. “And she joins at a critical time – as some lawmakers try to drag Pennsylvania into the past with new mandatory minimum sentences. I know she will be a tremendous advocate for Pennsylvania’s families.”

Goellner said, “After a decade on the front lines of the criminal legal system, I am honored to bring that experience to FAMM and join the charge to move Pennsylvania policy forward. The thousands of families who have entrusted me with their stories will come to work with me every day. Pennsylvanians are ready for a criminal justice system that promotes the dignity and humanity of all.”

In addition to her work as a federal defender, Goellner also served as a defense attorney in Erie, Pennsylvania, Florida’s 20th Circuit, and as a clerk with the Legal Aid Society in Queens, New York prior to joining FAMM.  She is on the Board of the Erie County Bar Association and co-founded its Diversity and Inclusion Division.  Goellner organizes with and supports participatory defense and bail fund hubs.  She also served on the Third Circuit Lawyers Advisory Committee, and has been recognized by the Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers for exceptional advocacy and commitment to equal justice.

For nearly three decades, FAMM has united the voices of affected families, the formerly incarcerated, and a range of stakeholders and advocates to fight for a more fair and effective justice system. FAMM’s focus on ending a one-size-fits-all punishment structure has led to reforms to sentencing and prison policies at the state and federal level and is paving the way to programs that support rehabilitation for the 94% of all prisoners who will return to our neighborhoods one day.

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FAMM is a national nonpartisan advocacy organization that promotes fair and effective criminal justice policies that safeguard taxpayer dollars and keep our communities safe. Founded in 1991, FAMM is helping transform America’s criminal justice system by uniting the voices of impacted families and individuals and elevating the issues all across the country.

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