Imran J. Syed

Imran J. Syed is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Law at the University of Michigan Law School and co-director of the Michigan Innocence Clinic, where he teaches forensic science seminars and first-year criminal law labs.

Education:

• BA in Political Science, University of Michigan
• JD, University of Michigan

Research Interests:

Syed specializes in criminal law, litigation, and public interest law with deep expertise in forensic science and wrongful convictions. His work focuses on litigating cases involving outdated scientific evidence—particularly arson convictions based on discredited fire science—and developing novel legal strategies for post-conviction relief. He examines how scientific advancements intersect with criminal procedure and advocates for systemic reforms to prevent wrongful convictions.

Awards:

• Top 40 Young Lawyers in the country (American Bar Association, 2017)
• Regeana Myrick Outstanding Young Lawyer of the Year Award (State Bar of Michigan, 2016)
• Audience Choice Award for 'The Price of Providence' documentary (Great Lakes Film Festival, 2015)

Advising and Notable Cases:

• People v. Forbes (2020): Secured exoneration for a man wrongfully imprisoned 38 years for murder
• People v. Swilley: Won landmark Michigan Supreme Court ruling for a wrongfully convicted child
• People v. Johnson/Scott (2018): Achieved exoneration for two men wrongfully convicted of murder

Syed has supervised law students in over 36 innocence cases through the Michigan Innocence Clinic, conducted national trainings on new evidence litigation, and presented at major legal conferences on forensic science reforms.

Labs and Teams:

• Michigan Innocence Clinic: As co-director, Syed leads a team that has secured 36 documented exonerations, including recent victories in 2020, 2022, and 2023, focusing on forensic science-based innocence claims.