DLA Piper US LLP issued the following announcement on June 25.
DLA Piper was recognized for its deep involvement with pro bono work related to capital punishment across the country, including representing three death row inmates in their individual cases in Texas, Mississippi and Florida. In addition to that work, the firm has authored amicus briefs, prepared clemency petitions, filed challenges to state lethal injection systems and conducted research to support capital defenders in their work, contributing thousands of pro bono hours in the process.
“Working with the Death Penalty Representation Project and with the lawyers and clients they support is an honor. We are humbled by their commitment to supporting a fair and just capital defense system and pleased to be able to play a part in that important work," said Anne Geraghty Helms, the firm's pro bono counsel. “Our lawyers feel so strongly about these cases and about ensuring that death row prisoners receive high-quality representation. That work feels particularly important at this moment, when the world is focused on advancing racial justice, as people of color are so overrepresented in the death penalty system. We look forward to continuing to support the Death Penalty Representation Project for many years to come.”
The Death Penalty Representation Project is focused on improving the quality and availability of legal representation for persons facing possible death sentences. As one of its primary goals, the Project seeks to expand the pool of lawyers willing to serve as pro bono counsel for death row inmates in post-conviction proceedings by recruiting volunteer attorneys to handle capital cases. The Project also focuses its efforts on domestic and international training and technical assistance to capital defenders, judges and volunteer lawyers; systemic reform of capital counsel systems through litigation and other means; and education of the public and bar about reform of the death penalty system.
DLA Piper will receive the award at the Project’s 2020 Volunteer Recognition & Awards Program, which will be held virtually on September 24.
Original source can be found here.