In this powerful episode of RISE Urban Nation, Taryell Simmons sits down with Keith Wattley, Founder and Executive Director of UnCommon Law, to explore second chances, trauma-informed justice, and what it means to advocate for the people society often labels beyond redemption.
Keith Wattley, attorney, Obama Foundation Fellow, and Founder & Executive Director of UnCommon Law, joins RISE Urban Nation to discuss criminal justice reform, second chances, and the humanity of incarcerated people serving life sentences.
With more than 25 years of experience advocating for people in prison and on parole, Keith shares how healing-centered and trauma-informed legal advocacy can create pathways for accountability, transformation, and safe reentry into society. This powerful conversation explores redemption, storytelling, parole reform, and why some of the people society finds hardest to defend are often those most in need of hope and healing.
Keith Wattley is the Founder and Executive Director of UnCommon Law. He has spent more than two decades advocating for the rights of incarcerated people and those on parole.
His work focuses on helping individuals demonstrate personal transformation and successfully navigate California’s parole process. In addition to individual advocacy, Keith has trained hundreds of attorneys and law students and has led efforts to improve prison and parole conditions through impact litigation.
Keith was selected as an inaugural Obama Foundation Fellow in 2018 and received the James Irvine Foundation Leadership Award in 2020.
🌐 Website
https://www.uncommonlaw.org/
👤 Keith Wattley
https://www.uncommonlaw.org/keith-wattley
📱 Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/uncommonlawyer/
📘 Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/UnCommonLaw/
💼 LinkedIn (Organization)
https://www.linkedin.com/company/uncommon-law/
💼 LinkedIn (Keith Wattley)
https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-wattley-44050034/
📺 YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8K93TWilSZeD8QYVp20Kiw
📧 Email:
info@uncommonlaw.org
Learn more about UnCommon Law’s 20th Anniversary storytelling and event series, including:
🔗 20th Anniversary Page
https://www.uncommonlaw.org/20th-anniversary
UnCommon Law is currently accepting proposals from mission-driven leaders and organizations interested in presenting at the 20th Anniversary Conference.
Proposal Deadline: June 15
🔗 Submit a Proposal
https://www.uncommonlaw.org/20th-conference
Host: Taryell Simmons
Guest: Keith Wattley
Music: Will Maker
Production: RISE Urban Nation Media