Lauren Faraino exemplifies resilience, ingenuity, and an unwavering dedication to justice. Born with arthrogryposis, a condition that significantly restricts arm mobility and causes joint contractions in her limbs, Faraino continuously finds innovative ways to navigate a world not designed for individuals with disabilities. These challenges have fueled her purpose, inspiring her to carve a remarkable path that blends personal perseverance with advocacy for incarcerated individuals in Alabama.

Growing up in Vestavia Hills, Alabama, Faraino faced the typical hurdles of childhood — just like any other kid, but with a formidable challenge. The condition that affected her mobility led to her early reliance on a powered wheelchair, and it was only through years of intensive therapy that Faraino was able to develop the remarkable ability to write and create art using her feet. The path was not without frustration. In her early attempts, Faraino tried to use her mouth to write but soon realized it was inefficient. “I decided that wasn’t going to work because of the speed issue,” she said, reflecting on her determination to find a better solution. So, Faraino took up the challenge of using her feet, mastering the art of gripping a pencil between her big toe and second toe. Over time, she didn’t just write — she also painted with her toes. This adaptability and spirit of overcoming adversity became an early hallmark of her life. And yet, Faraino’s story is not defined by what she can’t do but by how much she has accomplished, especially in the world of law and social justice.

After completing her undergraduate studies at Harvard University, majoring in Government and Philosophy, Faraino attended the University of Chicago Law School. After law school, she moved to New York and joined a corporate law firm specializing in mergers and acquisitions. On the surface, it seemed like a promising career choice, but it was during this time that Faraino’s life began to take a significant turn.

A meeting with a doctor from the Paley Orthopedic & Spine Institute would alter the trajectory of her life. The doctor told Faraino about potential surgeries and new therapies that could help her walk again, a dream that she had long abandoned after giving up braces in middle school. “I wasn’t ready for surgery,” Faraino said, but the conversation planted a seed that led her to seek out an intensive rehab program at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. After a month of rigorous therapy, Faraino walked again with braces.

After rehabilitation, Faraino realized her heart was no longer in corporate law. “My experience was positive, but I didn’t want that for my life,” she said. She decided to leave New York and return to Alabama. “I had been thinking about going into business with someone in my family who had an established financial business,” Faraino said. “It would give me the flexibility to live where I wanted, set my own hours, and prioritize therapy.” But even as she began this new chapter, Faraino couldn’t shake the feeling that her true calling was elsewhere.

Through her pro bono work, Faraino became increasingly involved in cases of wrongful convictions, excessive sentencing, and issues of justice. It wasn’t long before she found herself deeply immersed in issues with Alabama’s prison system. The event that shifted her focus was when she became involved with a family friend incarcerated in Colorado, helping him navigate the legal system. Soon after, a death row case in Alabama presented itself, one that would change her life.

“I had been having conversations with my family about injustices I was seeing in the criminal legal system,” Faraino said. Inspired by Bryan Stevenson’s book Just Mercy, her mother began to research one particular case that seemed especially troubling. When Faraino’s mother shared her doubts about the guilt of Nathanial Woods and his planned execution a month later, Faraino knew she had to take action. “I learned what had gone wrong with his case and to this day I believe the man is innocent and have evidence to back it up,” Faraino said. “We worked as hard as we could for a month.” Despite their efforts, Mr. Woods was executed. The experience deeply impacted Faraino, who spent the next several years researching issues within the prison system while supporting other lawyers involved in similar cases. “I became one of Alabama’s experts in the prison system,” she said. After a few years of research and advocacy, Faraino returned to law practice, representing clients imprisoned in Alabama’s notorious system.

 

 

 

To facilitate Faraino’s purpose, in 2020 she launched The Woods Foundation (https://www.thewoodsfoundation.org/), named after the man whose case haunted her. The foundation’s mission is to advocate for justice reform, including wrongful convictions, excessive sentences, and the mistreatment of imprisoned individuals. Funding for the foundation comes from fellowships, grants, and private donations.  “I don’t charge clients. I learned quickly that even if I charged 10% of a usual attorney fee, I didn’t want to be taking the last $500 from a family,” Faraino said. “If a family member asks if they could pay me in a week when they receive their social security check, there is no way I could charge them for my work.”

Working primarily with activists who are living in prison, Faraino has seen firsthand the harsh realities of Alabama’s prison system, which she considers one of the worst in the country. “The overwhelming majority of people in Alabama’s prisons are struggling with addiction,” Faraino said, noting that this has led many individuals into a cycle of incarceration without sufficient access to rehabilitation. She works tirelessly to amplify the voices of individuals fighting for their freedom. “Incarcerated people who come to me are some of the most brilliant people I’ve encountered,” she said, underscoring the intellectual power and drive of those locked away behind bars.

 

One of the most challenging aspects of her work is choosing which cases to take on. “It feels awful when I have to turn people away,” Faraino said. “But I don’t want to be that overworked attorney who clients can’t reach.” This sense of responsibility drives her to prioritize cases that are most urgent, including those involving needless amputations and organ theft from deceased prisoners, two of the most controversial issues in Alabama’s prisons. Faraino’s work representing victims of this practice is both crucial and exhausting.

Despite the weight of her caseload (currently approximately 100 active cases) and the heavy emotional toll of dealing with systemic injustice, Faraino finds moments of hope that keep her going. “One of the incarcerated activists I work with, Swift Justice, once brought me a case about an 85-year-old man, Robert George, who had been in prison 30 years for an accidental death. Swift told me that if there was one man in the prison that I could help, please let it be Mr. George. After a year and a half, Mr. George was released and went home to live with his family. Remembering that moment is all I need to keep me in this work for another few years. Knowing that we are shining a light on an area of society that no one wants to look at is very motivating.”

Faraino’s passion for justice is deeply connected to her experiences as a person with a disability. “The fact that I have a disability absolutely plays into my decision to work in this space,” she said. The thirty-three-old sees the intersection between disability and incarceration, noting that many individuals in prison are disabled or face systemic barriers that make their incarceration even more difficult. Her understanding of being “othered” in society allows her to approach her work with a deep sense of empathy and compassion. These qualities make her a powerful advocate for those who are often overlooked.

In addition to her legal work, Faraino finds solace in her hobbies, including painting, writing, and swimming. She has a passion for road trips and an adventurous spirit that helps fulfill her sense of independence. “I’ve driven across the country alone, once to California and another time to Oregon,” she said. “I occasionally slept in my car in a national park. It is empowering to push yourself in ways that others might not.” In a sense, these trips symbolize the “road to freedom” that her incarcerated clients seek. Her journey of personal and professional growth has come with many challenges, but Faraino finds a way to adapt and overcome them.

Her story is a testament to the power of perseverance — not just in the face of physical limitations but in the face of a system that can often seem indifferent to human suffering. Through her work with The Woods Foundation, Faraino continues to fight for justice, giving a voice to those who have been silenced. And in doing so, she has proven that no matter the obstacles, one person can make a profound difference in the lives of others. Lauren Faraino does not waive in her commitment to her life’s work.