Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP Receives Life After Innocence Project’s First Annual Howard Joseph Award

CHICAGO, IL – The national law firm of Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP is pleased to announce that it has been awarded the first annual Howard Joseph Award by Loyola University Chicago School of Law’s Life After Innocence (LAI) project. Hinshaw was selected for the work it has done for LAI and the exonerees that organization supports.

LAI, founded and directed by Loyola Law School Distinguished Scholar in Residence Professor Laura Caldwell, advocates for innocent people adversely affected by the criminal justice system, helping them reenter society and enabling them to reclaim their rights as citizens, through individualized legal and support services and wider-reaching public policy initiatives. Its Howard Joseph Award is named after the attorney of Antoine Day, who was sentenced to 60 years in prison in Illinois for first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, and unlawful use of a weapon. After learning about Mr. Day's story, Mr. Joseph spent five years working to exonerate him, ultimately succeeding in that endeavor in 2002. Mr. Day had served 10 years of his sentence by the time he was exonerated. Mr. Joseph provided his assistance without request for compensation or recognition. The award was formed to recognize those who freely give their time and skills to assist exonerees. 

Hinshaw has provided legal services to LAI clients in areas such as real estate and taxation. Hinshaw attorneys involved in providing this legal assistance have included Dan L. Boho, James Harbert and Stephen H. Malato.

Mr. Boho, who chairs Hinshaw’s Pro Bono Committee, said, “We are very proud of having taken part in making a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals who have been treated so unfairly.” He added, “Receiving the Howard Joseph Award is truly an honor and a testament to the great work and dedication of our attorneys who have provided legal assistance to LAI clients.”

The Howard Joseph Award was presented at LAI’s Rock for Innocence event on October 25, 2012. Mr. Harbert accepted the award on the firm’s behalf. Performing at the event was the Exoneree Band, which consists of Mr. Day and four other exonerees. Collectively, the band members were wrongfully incarcerated for a total of 87 years.