BCLP named ‘Champion of Justice’ by Amicus for pro bono criminal justice work

In recognition of the firm’s long-standing commitment to pro bono criminal justice work, BCLP has been honored with the Champion of Justice award in the law firm category at the Amicus Champions of Justice Awards.

Criminal justice is a hallmark of BCLP’s pro bono efforts. This award specifically reflects the dedication of the firm’s teams involved in death penalty representation in the US, as well as BCLP’s enduring partnership with nonprofit Amicus, a charity that helps provide representation for those facing the death penalty in the US. Since 2018, BCLP has collaborated with Amicus on eight projects, mobilizing global teams to support capital defense attorneys and advocate for fairness, access and due process.

Over the past year alone, 103 BCLP volunteers from 21 offices contributed 1,453 pro bono hours to assist Amicus on four first-degree murder cases in Oklahoma, Kansas, Florida and Arizona. Since the start of this partnership, 318 lawyers and trainees from 26 offices have devoted more than 9,400 hours to Amicus’ death penalty work.

BCLP’s US offices also continue to lead in this area through direct representation. In 2024, BCLP represented four individuals on death row in Louisiana, Missouri and Arizona, with 32 lawyers and legal professionals contributing over 11,600 pro bono hours since these cases began. And on the same day as the Amicus award presentation, one of those efforts reached a major milestone: BCLP pro bono client Jimmie “Chris” Duncan, who earlier this year was found factually innocent of murder, was released on bail Nov. 26 after spending 27 years on Louisiana’s death row following a wrongful conviction for a crime that never occurred.