Bradley Recognized for Pro Bono Service by American Bar Association’s Death Penalty Representation Project

Bradley has been recognized with the “Exceptional Service Award” by the American Bar Association’s (ABA) Death Penalty Representation Project for demonstrating an exceptional commitment to excellence in capital defense. The firm was nominated for its service to death row prisoners and was presented with the award at the project’s annual Volunteer Recognition & Awards Event on September 18.

“We are truly honored to be recognized by the ABA’s Death Penalty Representation Project, and we are proud to partner with several remarkable teams in this vital work,” said Bradley Pro Bono Counsel Tiffany M. Graves. “This award reflects our firm’s commitment to ensuring access to justice for those facing the most serious consequences, and we are grateful for the efforts of all our attorneys who volunteer their time to these cases.”

The Death Penalty Representation Project is the ABA’s expert on issues related to the defense effort in death penalty cases. Since 1986, the project has worked to ensure that everyone facing a death sentence has qualified counsel by locating and supporting law firms that take on pro bono cases and advocating for due process.

Previously awarded the Exceptional Service Award in 2012, Bradley has represented 39 individuals across five states, 12 of whom were new clients since 2018. In 2024, 31 Bradley attorneys dedicated more than 1,000 pro bono hours to prisoners on death row. Over the years, six of Bradley’s clients have been either exonerated or removed from death row.

The firm’s commitment to this essential work is especially critical in Alabama, where clients face unique challenges. Prior to 2018, Alabama provided no legal assistance for post-conviction proceedings. Since that time, death-sentenced prisoners are promised only a single licensed attorney, without any requirement that the attorney have prior capital defense experience, and there is no allowance for co-counsel, investigative, mitigation, expert, or other support services. The ABA has long recognized that such circumstances are likely to continue the cycle of ineffective representation and jeopardize clients’ fundamental constitutional rights. Bradley has played a major role in patching this gaping hole in the justice system, one client at a time.

The firm’s Pro Bono program helps address the unmet legal needs of indigent individuals and charitable organizations. Attorneys from across the firm’s offices devote a significant amount of time each year to pro bono work, representing individuals in matters ranging from death penalty and human rights cases to intellectual property work for low-income inventors, artists and entertainers.

The ABA is one of the largest voluntary associations of lawyers in the world. As the national voice of the legal profession, the ABA works to improve the administration of justice, promotes programs that assist lawyers and judges in their work, accredits law schools, provides continuing legal education, and works to build public understanding around the world of the importance of the rule of law.