Emily Galvin Almanza

About the Author

Emily Galvin Almanza is a dedicated public defender with over a decade of experience navigating the complexities of the American criminal justice system. Her frontline work in high-stakes cases has fueled her passion for exposing systemic inequities, particularly in the realm of unfair trials and the challenges faced by indigent defendants. Drawing from her firsthand encounters with a system often marked by violence and bias, Almanza brings a sharp, unflinching perspective to her writing. In her acclaimed debut, The Price of Mercy: Unfair Trials, a Violent System, and a Public Defender's Search for Justice in America, she chronicles the harrowing realities of her profession while advocating for meaningful reform. A graduate of Harvard Law School, she continues to practice law in Chicago, blending her legal expertise with a commitment to social justice through her poignant narratives.