Events & CLE

    2019 Volunteer Recognition & Awards Dinner

    The Death Penalty Representation Project held its annual Volunteer Recognition & Awards Dinner on September 19, 2019. During the dinner, awards were presented to pro bono firms Skadden and White & Case, and federal defender Kelley J. Henry. A special leadership award was presented to Ronald J. Tabak, and Philadelphia DA Larry Krasner provided the keynote address.

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    Recent Events

    PBI’s 2019 Annual Conference: New Frontiers in Death Penalty Cases

    PBI’s 2019 Annual Conference: New Frontiers in Death Penalty Cases

    We are at a unique moment in the history of the death penalty in the United States where shifting attitudes, scientific advances, and legal developments have created new pathways to relief for some of the 2,500 people on death row. At the Gaylord National Resort, D.C.’s National Harbor, on March 28, Project Director Emily Olson-Gault hosted a panel that covered emerging legal issues, new tools and partnerships, societal and scientific developments, the status of pro bono opportunities, and how to get involved. Panel speakers included DPIC's Robert Dunham, recently exonerated Pennsylvania death-row prisoner Jimmy Dennis, and his pro bono counsel at Arnold & Porter, Rebecca Gordon.

    Has the Death Penalty Become an Anachronism? A Discussion of Changing Laws, Practices and Religion on Our Standards of Decency

    Has the Death Penalty Become an Anachronism? A Discussion of Changing Laws, Practices and Religion on Our Standards of Decency

    A discussion of the growing divergence between the justifications for capital punishment and its actual implementation, and how our legal system should evolve in the face of contemporary death penalty practices. This program is co-sponsored by the Project in partnership with the Section of Civil Rights & Social Justice, the Death Penalty Due Process Review Project, the Criminal Justice Section, and the Center for Human Rights.

    Previous Events

    Throughout the year, the Project hosts, sponsors and presents at death penalty conferences around the country. See what we have been up to in the past!

    Visit - Event Archives

    Volunteer Award Winners

    Each year the Project recognizes law firms and attorneys who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to providing high quality pro bono representation for indigent death row prisoners. Learn about our past Exceptional Service Award and Guiding Hand of Counsel Award winners!

    Explore - Previous Winners

    Past Keynote Speakers

    Every annual awards dinner features a powerful keynote speaker with a unique perspective on and experience with death penalty representation. We have been honored to hear from public defenders, federal judges, death row exonerees and many others. Learn more about our previous Awards Dinner keynote speakers!

    Learn more - Keynote Speakers