Conversations with Nicole Martin

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Martin

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My journey into law has been rooted in my strong commitment to advocating for my community and using my voice to drive meaningful change. I’m Nicole Martin, an attorney and the Legal Program Director for the Know Your Rights Camp Autopsy Initiative. My path began at the University of California, Riverside, where I majored in Sociology with a focus on Law and Society. From an early stage, I was driven by a desire to make a meaningful impact in my community through law. This led me to obtain my Juris Doctor at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University. After completing law school, I furthered my education with a Master’s in Intellectual Property at American University Washington College of Law as the Information Justice Fellow.

During my studies, I focused on the challenges minority communities face in protecting their intellectual property. I authored several publications, including “Lack of Patent Protection for Minority Business Owners and Entrepreneurs,” “Indigenous Rights: An Analysis of Intellectual Property Protections,” and “Current Intellectual Property Regimes in the U.S. Fail to Protect Fashion Designs.” My work in this field deepened my commitment to addressing the challenges faced by minority entrepreneurs, inventors, and creators in protecting their intellectual property. This passion ultimately led me to take on the volunteer role of Director of Development for LegallyBlack, an organization dedicated to empowering and educating communities of color about the importance of intellectual property protection.

In undergrad, my published senior thesis, “Race and Consequences: An Examination of Police Abuse in America”, further solidified my dedication to social justice. This commitment to advocating for marginalized communities has shaped my professional path. Today, I am grateful to work for the Know Your Rights Camp Autopsy Initiative, where I contribute to vital work in advocating for justice for families who have lost their loved ones due to an in custody death. Additionally, at Know Your Rights Camp, I play an integral role in educating high school students across the country about federal and local laws, empowering youth to understand their rights, particularly in police encounters.

I have always been passionate about social justice and public service, which is reflected in my diverse internship experiences. I’ve had the privilege of working with the U.S. House Judiciary Committee, the Innovation Advancement Clinic, the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and in judicial internship programs. These varied experiences have played an instrumental role in shaping my ability to excel in my current role as the Legal Program Director for the Autopsy Initiative.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My process to become an attorney was difficult and filled with personal challenges that tested my resilience and perspective. My decision to pursue law was driven by a strong desire to serve my community, but the path I took was far from smooth. Throughout law school, I encountered significant personal challenges that deeply impacted both my personal and professional life. Shortly after my first semester of law school, I experienced the loss of my grandfather, and later, while preparing for the bar exam, my godmother passed from breast cancer. Shortly after passing the bar, I lost my grandmother as well. These heartbreaking events, coupled with the additional challenges of navigating the pandemic and dealing with multiple technology failures while taking the bar exam online, underscored the importance of resilience and taught me invaluable lessons about control, self-compassion, and perseverance.

These experiences were challenging, but they also deepened my understanding of the importance of relying on God and strengthening my faith through mindfulness. Though law school was one of the most stressful and anxious times of my life, I learned that, despite all my preparation, there are always aspects beyond our control. This realization shifted my perspective, reminding me to trust in God’s plan and guidance. It encouraged me to approach both my professional and personal life with a deeper faith and greater reliance on Him. Integrating mindfulness practices into my daily routine has been transformative, not only in my ability to trust God more fully but also in learning to embrace the unpredictability of life with his peace and grace.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am an attorney and am currently the Legal Program Director the Know Your Rights Camp Autopsy Initiative. I am the first full-time employee of the Autopsy Initiative, joining in 2021 to help implement Colin Kaepernick’s vision of providing free second autopsies for families who have lost loved ones due to in-custody deaths. We define in-custody deaths as those occurring during arrest, apprehension, pursuit, or incarceration, which also include police-related deaths.

Before launching the Initiative, I spent considerable time learning about forensic science and the challenges in the autopsy process. One of the most shocking discoveries was the high cost of obtaining an independent autopsy, often exceeding $13,600, including transportation. We alleviate this financial burden by providing these services free of charge, as families should not have to bear such a heavy financial load to learn the truth about their loved one’s death. Since our Initiative’s launch in 2022, we have provided 107 free autopsies for families.

In my role, I’ve been responsible for creating the scope of services, developing our implementation plan, and establishing our panel of board-certified forensic pathologists. Concerns frequently arise regarding the reliability and objectivity of initial autopsies, particularly in cases involving police. Our Initiative addresses these issues by providing families with an independent, objective second autopsy performed by a board-certified forensic pathologist. This process also includes a preliminary findings discussion and issuance of the final second autopsy report.

Since joining the Initiative as Legal Program Manager, I have advanced to the role of Legal Program Director, where I oversee a growing team that includes our Program Manager and Operations Manager. In this capacity, I define strategic priorities, manage key relationships with external partners, and provide oversight to ensure that our services effectively meet the needs of the families we support. Recognizing the importance of clear communication, I routinely engage with attorneys, pathologists, funeral homes, and other organizations to facilitate coordination on a national scale.

We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
Starting something innovative and revolutionary always comes with risks, especially when you’re working to bring about systems change. Throughout my legal career, I have encountered opportunities that required careful evaluation of risks, particularly in the context of providing autopsy services. When the Know Your Rights Camp launched the Autopsy Initiative in 2022, it was a groundbreaking, one-of-a-kind program with no established blueprint. I worked closely with Nessa and Colin Kaepernick, the founders of Know Your Rights Camp, to develop and shape the initiative from the ground up to provide families with free second autopsy services. Given the nature of the work, my role often involves conducting risk analysis, risk prevention, and risk management to ensure the success and safety of our nationwide operations. The Autopsy Initiative provides free, independent second autopsies for families who have lost loved ones due to in-custody deaths, including police-related deaths. The initiative is transformative in its approach to supporting victims’ families by providing transparency, accuracy, and objectivity in the process. While our hope is that the need for such services will eventually diminish as in-custody deaths cease to occur, the reality is that the Autopsy Initiative continues to be crucial for families who deserve clarity and justice.Therefore this role requires a thoughtful and methodical approach as we are assisting families in their heartbreaking times of grief.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicolelynn.esq/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-martin-22b61a117/