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Zane Memeger to Join Pennsylvania Inocence Project as New Executive Director
 

PHILADELPHIA, PA May 9, 2025 — The Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania Innocence Project is proud to announce the appointment of Zane Memeger as its new Executive Director, ushering in a new chapter in our unwavering commitment to unlocking the truth and freeing the innocent across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Since its founding in 2009, the Project has helped free 35 men and women who have served over 800 years in prison. The Project also supports reentry into the community and works to change laws and practices to prevent future injustices.

“Zane Memeger will be a powerful, talented, and committed leader for the Pennsylvania Innocence Project at a time when the challenges are daunting but the opportunities are so much more inspiring. He is the right person at the right time,” says Doris Brogan, Chair of the Board.

Judge Timothy Lewis, who also served on the board with Memeger, adds, “Zane’s commitment to justice and his many years of service as an Assistant US Attorney and ultimately as the US Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, the Chief Federal Law Enforcement Officer for the region, brings valuable experience and perspective to the work of the Project, and will help us take the work to the next level. Having chaired the organization’s Litigation and Policy Committee for years, Zane knows well where the laws and practices in the Commonwealth could be better and how to continue to advocate for the needed changes.”

Memeger will be joining the Project staff from Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, where he was an associate early in his legal career and has been a partner since 2017 when he returned to the firm after serving nearly seven years as the US Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. At Morgan Lewis, Memeger's work focused on white-collar defense and corporate compliance, and involved all phases of government investigations. He served as the litigation practice lead for Law School Recruiting and was a member of the litigation practice Mentoring Program.

Morgan Lewis Partner Gordon Cooney, who works with Memeger and was himself a longtime Project board member, applauds the choice:

“Anyone who knows Zane and has followed his career appreciates Zane’s commitment to the rule of law and principles of justice. He has lived that commitment as United States Attorney, as a federal trial prosecutor, in private practice with Morgan Lewis, and in his pro bono work with the Pennsylvania Innocence Project. He will be an outstanding Executive Director.”

Morgan Lewis partner Nate Andrisani, who has worked with the Project on many cases while at the firm, adds, “Zane is an outstanding lawyer and a dogged pursuer of justice. He has a keen understanding of the criminal justice system and is dedicated to ensuring that it works properly for all involved. Having worked with him on various post-incident review investigations, including of a fatal police shooting, I have seen first-hand his unwavering dedication to seeking the truth, fidelity to the principles of the fair administration of justice, and creative and practical approach to improving policies and practices to ensure community safety for all. Zane’s experience and passion for social justice issues will make him a terrific Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Innocence Project and a champion for those who need someone to seek true justice for all.”

The Pennsylvania Innocence Project represents innocent people across the Commonwealth from its offices in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Christopher Carusone, Managing Partner of the Pittsburgh office of Cohen Seglias, notes:

“Zane is universally respected by both prosecutors and defense attorneys.  I cannot think of a more qualified person, with experience at the highest levels of both the prosecution and defense bar, to lead the Pennsylvania Innocence Project.”

Memeger’s distinguished career in the legal profession, including eight years of service on the Pennsylvania Innocence Project Board, where he was very involved in the policy work of the organization, gives him unique experiences and perspective on the work to be done.

“I am excited and deeply honored to join the staff of the Pennsylvania Innocence Project, an organization with a distinguished history of freeing the innocent from prison and thus strengthening confidence in our justice system” says Memeger. “Because of my work in various capacities within our criminal legal system, including 18 years as a federal prosecutor with the U.S. Department of Justice, I fully understand the dynamics in play that lead to innocent persons serving lengthy prison sentences for crimes they did not commit. It is an honor for me to bring my background and experience to the work of the Project and come full circle to my law school days at the University of Virginia School of Law — where I helped lead the Post-Conviction Assistance Project in advocating for the rights of the wrongfully convicted.”

In addition to receiving his law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law, he earned his bachelor’s degree in Political Science and minor in criminal justice from James Madison University. Memeger resides in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania with his wife Laura.