July.11.2022
Congratulations to senior counsel Norm Hile on being honored with the American Bar Association’s 2022 John Paul Stevens Guiding Hand of Counsel Award for his decade of pro bono work on behalf of California death row inmate Kevin Cooper.
Norm has led an Orrick pro bono team pursuing Cooper’s innocence claims, which last year prompted Gov. Gavin Newsom to order an unprecedented re-examination of the case. In recognizing Norm, the ABA cited “his unwavering commitment to proving Mr. Cooper’s innocence in the face of so many legal obstacles.”
As a result of Norm’s efforts, Cooper’s case has attracted national attention, including a 2018 New York Times feature calling for action in the case and support from political leaders for an investigation into evidence casting doubt on his conviction and death sentence.
The ABA award will be presented to Norm in September.