Nancy Hollander (Activist and Advocate)
Nancy Hollander, born in 1944, is a distinguished American criminal defense lawyer known for her dedicated representation of high-profile clients, including Guantanamo Bay detainees and Chelsea Manning. Her impactful career has garnered significant attention, with actress Jodie Foster portraying her in the 2021 film “The Mauritanian,” which centers on the case of her client Mohamedou Ould Slahi.
Growing up in Dallas, Texas, Hollander demonstrated a strong commitment to justice from a young age. She pursued higher education at the University of Michigan, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree, and later obtained her Juris Doctor from the University of New Mexico School of Law. As an active member of Students for a Democratic Society during her student years, Hollander was arrested three times for her participation in protests, showcasing her unwavering dedication to social causes.
Throughout her career, Hollander has taken on challenging and significant cases, including representing Mohamedou Ould Slahi and Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri. Her relentless efforts in the legal field have not only secured justice for her clients but have also brought attention to critical issues surrounding human rights and the treatment of detainees. Since 1983, she has been a partner at the law firm Freedman Boyd Hollander Goldberg Urias & Ward, P.A., in Albuquerque, New Mexico, further solidifying her legacy as a formidable advocate for justice.
Dallas, Texas, US.
| Nancy Hollander (Advocate) | |
| 1944 | |
| Name | Nancy Hollander |
| Date of Birth | 1944 |
| Birth of Place | Dallas, Texas, US. |
| University |
|
| Profession | Criminal defense lawyer |
| Books | Every trial Criminal Defense Resource Book |
| Spouse | Todd Gitlin (divorced) |
Early Life and Education
Hollander grew up in Dallas, Texas. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Michigan and a Juris Doctor from the University of New Mexico School of Law. During her student years, Hollander was an active member of Students for a Democratic Society and was arrested three times for participating in protests.
Career
Hollander’s legal career includes representing Mohamedou Ould Slahi until his release from Guantanamo Bay in 2016. Slahi’s harrowing experiences of capture, torture, and prolonged detention, along with Hollander’s relentless efforts to secure his freedom, are depicted in the film “The Mauritanian.”
She also represents Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri, alleged to be the mastermind behind the USS Cole bombing. Al-Nashiri, who was tortured at CIA black sites and has been detained at Guantanamo Bay since 2006, received two judgments in his favor from the European Court of Human Rights, securing damages for his mistreatment.
Hollander served as lead counsel for Chelsea Manning’s military appeal, which was unsuccessful. However, she successfully filed for the commutation of Manning’s sentence in 2017.
Since 1983, Hollander has been a partner at the law firm Freedman Boyd Hollander Goldberg Urias & Ward, P.A., in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Personal Life
Nancy Hollander was married to Todd Gitlin, an activist and academic associated with the New Left movement. Together, they co-authored “Uptown: Poor Whites in Chicago.”
This profile reflects Hollander’s distinguished career and contributions to high-profile legal cases, emphasizing her dedication to justice and human rights.










