John Robert Holland

John Robert Holland[1] is an American lawyer.[2][3]

Holland is notable for taking on pro bono civil rights and human rights cases.[2][3] Holland took on civil rights cases early in his career. His daughter and partner, Anna Cayton-Holland convinced him to return to human rights work, and their practice took on four Guantanamo captives.

Early career

While a law student at UCLA Holland interned with the Zuni Legal Aid Society in New Mexico.[3] Upon graduation he received a Reginald Heber Smith Community Lawyer Fellowship, which allowed him to work for three years for the Denver Legal Aid Society. After his fellowship expired he continued to work for the Denver Legal Aid Society, until he entered private practice in 1979.

Private practice

One area Holland specialized in has been the legal issues around nursing homes.[4] He has written and lectured on this topic.

Human rights cases

Holland has a long history of taking on human rights cases.[5]

Guantanamo captives

Mohammed Al Amin, a Mauritanian youth, who was seventeen years old when he was captured, was released on September 26, 2007.[2]

Holland has visited the Guantanamo Bay detention camps four times.[2]

Commenting on the difficulties of aiding Guantanamo captives Holland said:[2]

Even after almost four years, we're still working on trust, And honestly, why should they trust us? ... Why do they even need a lawyer? What's the use? What good is a lawyer when there is no true legal system for them?

References
  1. http://members.calbar.ca.gov/fal/Licensee/Detail/57327
  2. Bill Johnson (September 29, 2007). "As man freed from Gitmo, lawyer thinks of other 700". Rocky Mountain News. Archived from the original on July 29, 2007. Retrieved 2007-09-29.
  3. "Practice Profile; John Robert Holland". Better Care Colorado. Archived from the original on 2007-08-07. Retrieved 2007-09-29.
  4. "Significant cases". Better Care Colorado. Archived from the original on 2007-08-08. Retrieved 2007-09-29.
  5. James B. Meadow (February 25, 2001). "Answering the howls of injustice activist, ex-nun battle goliaths to win legal rights for downtrodden" (PDF). Rocky Mountain News. p. 1. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 5, 2007. Retrieved 2007-10-10.


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