Madelaine Lane, a partner with Warner Norcross + Judd, has been named a finalist in the law category for Crain’s Grand Rapids Business Newsmaker of the Year for 2023.
The annual awards highlight the top news stories of the previous year. Lane was recognized for her pro bono work to secure what’s believed to be Michigan’s first gubernatorial pardon of a survivor of human trafficking for Grand Rapids native Leslie F. King.
Lane and finalists in all 15 categories will be recognized during a breakfast on Tuesday, Feb. 27 at Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park when the top Newsmaker of the Year will be named.
King had been sexually trafficked for more than two decades. Starting at age 15, she had a lengthy list of criminal convictions for shoplifting, larceny, assault, prostitution, narcotics possession and other crimes committed while being trafficked.
Working with a team of Warner attorneys through The Joseph Project, Lane sought and secured a pardon for King from Governor Gretchen Whitmer. The pardon cleared the path for King to complete her master’s degree and become a licensed social worker. She now leads Sacred Beginnings, a Grand Rapids nonprofit she launched that provides street outreach and safe housing to those who have been trafficked.
Lane was recently honored with a Warrior Award by Sacred Beginnings. This award honors individuals who work relentlessly to support victims of human trafficking and combat sexual exploitation in the community.
At Warner, Lane is an accomplished white collar criminal defense attorney who assists clients with the right guidance just when they need it. She has extensive experience working in several sectors, including higher education, automotive, health care, finance and agriculture, among others. A fierce advocate, she comes to life in the courtroom, routinely trying and winning cases in both state and federal court.
About Warner
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