Alumni
Alumni Profiles
Marissa Boyers Bluestine
Attorney at Duane Morris from 1998-2002
Currently Assistant Defender, Defender's Association of Philadelphia
Q: What do you do as an assistant defender?
A: I have a varied practice. I am assigned to the appeals unit, so ostensibly, I pursue appeals for clients on the full panoply of issues in state criminal matters: constitutional issues, such as search and seizure, denial of confrontation or due process, sufficiency of evidence to convict, prosecutorial or judicial misconduct, and so forth. I tend to focus on areas related to confrontation issues (i.e., the application of Crawford v. Washington and related cases) and particularly where child witnesses are concerned as well as developing trial and appellate strategies for ensuring against convictions based upon potentially faulty eyewitness identification evidence. In addition, I have an active trial load, again focusing primarily on cases involving eyewitness or child victim testimony. I have lectured throughout the Commonwealth on issues related to child witnesses, confrontation rights, defending sexual assault cases and training lawyers in trying cases involving eyewitness identification evidence. Finally, I have an interest in representing victims of human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation who are facing criminal charges due to prostitution-related activities.
Q: How did you get the job?
A: This was actually my first job out of law school; I went to Duane Morris after four years of being a public defender. When the time came for me to leave Duane Morris, returning to the Defender's Association was, for me, the right choice.
Q: Why is it so fulfilling?
A: Criminal law is, inherently, incredibly interesting work as it involves real people with real consequences (plus trying cases in court is just a lot of fun). Being a defender means, to me, defending the Constitution daily and ensuring that it functions for us all. In addition, I am particularly lucky with my position as I have the flexibility to be able to do what interests me. For example, my work with trafficking victims came about when I came to understand the direct link between prostitution and human trafficking. Part of my day is spent reviewing every prostitution arrest in Philadelphia and identifying likely trafficking victims and helping get them out of the cycle they are caught in, rather than face a criminal conviction. Moreover, the work that I do training lawyers regarding eyewitness cases is helping to reform the way our judicial system responds to cases that carry a high likelihood of wrongful conviction.
Q: How did your experience at Duane Morris influence your career?
A: Certainly, the level of professionalism I encountered at Duane Morris influenced me and the way that I practice law. In addition, by learning how to approach each case comprehensively and by looking at all aspects, my work with appellate issues, in particular, has been enhanced.
Q: What are your best memories of life at Duane Morris?
A: Of course, the first that comes to mind is the people. While the work at Duane Morris was challenging and often taxing, I always found my colleagues knowledgeable, helpful and wonderful to work with. They challenged me and supported me in a way that I don't think is common in "big firm life." And, as a public defender, I certainly miss those firm retreats and parties!
Q: What other organizations are you involved in?
A: I am on the board of directors for the Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and a member of the local, state and national bars. I am also on the steering committee for the Philadelphia Anti-Trafficking Coalition, which is the U.S. Department of Justice-funded coalition of law enforcement agencies and NGOs committed to helping trafficking victims. I am also the co-coordinator of the Philadelphia Sex Workers Health and Safety Task Force.
Q: What do you like to do when you are not working?
A: My three kids keep me pretty busy! With a five-year-old, a three-year-old and a 10-month-old at home, we have a fairly chaotic family life. My husband, Eric, is an elementary school music teacher and classically trained pianist, and I am taking cello lessons so we can play duets together (eventually).