We proudly present the 2025 JoAnne Epps Hero of Justice Award to law firm partner Dechert LLP.
James Figorski at Dechert has served as co-counsel on several Pennsylvania Innocence Project cases over the years, leading effective teams of Dechert attorneys and staff and helping to secure the exoneration of multiple clients, including
David Sparks and
Willie Veasy.
Jim and Project Board member Judy Leone recently developed a special project to engage teams of volunteer attorneys with difficult and complex cases needing expedited in-depth reviews. We know that we can always look to Dechert for support in many ways, and we recognize the firm's positive impact in our field with the presentation of this award.
In gratitude for Dechert's long-standing partnership with the Pennsylvania Innocence Project and in admiration for Dechert's crucial work with wrongly convicted clients, we present the 2025 JoAnne Epps Hero of Justice Award to Dechert LLP.
This special award honors an individual or group demonstrating sustained commitment to achieving criminal justice for all, recognizing those who strive to improve the criminal legal system to meet our ultimate goal: that no innocent person be arrested or convicted of a crime they did not commit.
In 2024, we renamed this award in honor of late Temple University President JoAnne Epps. President Epps played a central role in establishing a home for the Project at Temple University when we opened our doors more than 15 years ago. She maintained a deeply personal commitment to our mission and influenced our organization, team, partners, and clients in countless ways over the years. We are proud to honor her legacy and to present this year's JoAnne Epps Hero of Justice Award to our longtime partners at Dechert LLP.
Learn more about our annual celebration and purchase tickets to join us in Philadelphia on May 8th at
this link. Check back soon to see a video spotlight on Dechert and this special award presentation.