Meet Our Team
Mitigation Specialist
Colleen Jennings
Born and raised in Mobile, Alabama, Colleen is passionate about criminal justice reform and believes that each of us is more than the worst thing we have ever done. Her commitment to this work is rooted in both personal experience and her professional background in criminal defense, which have shaped her understanding of the lasting impact the criminal legal system can have on individuals and families.
Colleen has experience supporting defense teams in both capital and non-capital cases, as well as post-conviction matters. She is particularly interested in understanding how trauma, adversity, family dynamics, and environmental influences shape individual lives and experiences.
In addition to her mitigation work, Colleen has a strong interest in capital punishment, criminological theory, and criminal justice policy. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice with a minor in Political Science from the University of South Alabama and is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice with a specialization in Criminology and Deviance at John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
Life History Investigator
Hannah Sutherland
Hannah Sutherland is a Life History Investigator dedicated to uncovering and documenting the experiences, relationships, and circumstances that shape an individual’s life. Through records collection, in-depth interviews, and social history development, she works to ensure that every person’s story is fully understood and accurately represented.
Drawing on her experience in criminal defense and post-conviction work, Hannah approaches each case with compassion, attention to detail, and a commitment to understanding the person beyond the case file. She believes meaningful life history investigation requires both thorough research and genuine human connection.
Hannah is pursuing her degree at the University of South Alabama while continuing to serve clients and legal teams throughout the criminal legal system. As a mother, she brings a unique perspective to her work and is passionate about ensuring every story is documented with dignity, accuracy, and compassion.
Apply for an Internship.
Leveling Justice Mitigation Services offers internship opportunities for students interested in criminal defense, mitigation, social history investigation, and criminal justice reform.
Interns may assist with research, records organization, case preparation, and other projects that support mitigation work.