Award Honorees

Maureen Rowley served as the Chief Defender for the Federal Community Defender Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Throughout her career, she fought tirelessly for all indigent defendants and to give voice to the voiceless. On her passing, friends said, “Maureen Rowley’s career in law has been based upon an unyielding and successful commitment to extend the highest quality representation to those who are too often ignored by the legal profession, the abused, the indigent criminal defendant and the outcast.” In her honor, the Pennsylvania Innocence Project recognizes an attorney who has similarly devoted their career to pursuing justice.

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

Eddie Ohlbaum was a beloved professor and legal advocate, and an early supporter of the Pennsylvania Innocence Project’s work. An expert on evidence, an advocate for the American justice system, a defender of children’s rights and the wrongly convicted, Eddie’s zeal for justice and fairness never dimmed. We honor Eddie with an award recognizing outstanding work by our Project pro bono partners because of Eddie’s commitment to pro bono service, and his belief that giving back to his community was part of being a lawyer.

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014