Dorsey Selected to Receive ABA 2011 Exceptional Service Award

MINNEAPOLIS--()--The international law firm of Dorsey & Whitney LLP is pleased to announce that it will receive the American Bar Association’s 2011 Exceptional Service Award, which recognizes the firm’s commitment to representing death row prisoners.

“Dorsey is delighted to have been selected for this prestigious award,” said Perry Wilson, Dorsey’s Pro Bono Partner. “Over the past 20 years, our lawyers have devoted tens of thousands of hours of time and the firm has devoted hundreds of thousands of dollars in resources to this cause. To be recognized by the ABA for our dedication to justice for all is an honor.”

The Exceptional Service Award is given as a part of the American Bar Association’s (ABA) Death Penalty Representation Project. The ABA created the Death Penalty Representation Project in 1986 to help ensure that every person facing a possible death sentence receives a fair trial and quality legal representation. Award criteria includes a firm’s commitment to pro bono death penalty work through the number of cases handled; financial and hourly commitment in ratio to its resources; attention paid to the death penalty debate; significant impact on the justice system through legal victory, legislation and/or litigation.

Dorsey was selected as an Exceptional Service Award winner based on its 20-year history of providing pro-bono legal services to death row prisoners, primarily in Louisiana, Alabama and Texas. Dorsey is currently handling death penalty cases for three prisoners—one of whom has serious mental illness and two of whom are mentally retarded.

Dorsey will be formally honored at an ABA awards ceremony on September 14, 2011 in Washington DC.

About Dorsey & Whitney LLP
Clients have relied on Dorsey since 1912 as a valued business partner. With 19 locations in the United States, Canada, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region, Dorsey provides an integrated, proactive approach to its clients' legal and business needs. Dorsey represents a number of the world's most successful companies from a wide range of industries, including leaders in the financial services, life sciences, technology, agribusiness and energy sectors, as well as major non-profit and government entities.

Contacts

Dorsey & Whitney LLP
Bob Kleiber, 612-492-5315
kleiber.bob@dorsey.com

Release Summary

Dorsey receives ABA award for death penalty representations

Contacts

Dorsey & Whitney LLP
Bob Kleiber, 612-492-5315
kleiber.bob@dorsey.com