Milbank LLP was presented with a 2024 Distinguished Pro Bono Partner Award at the Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights annual benefit event, held in New Orleans on March 21. Milbank’s pro bono counsel Anthony Perez Cassino accepted the award on the firm’s behalf.
Milbank was recognized for its ongoing pro bono advocacy related to juvenile life without parole, or JLWOP, cases. The firm has dedicated nearly 20,000 hours to six JLWOP cases through the program in Louisiana. Four of the individuals have been resentenced to life with parole and two are still awaiting a decision.
“This award is dedicated to all of our Milbank colleagues who worked so hard to give individuals who had no hope a second chance in life,” said Mr. Cassino. “Working with the Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights, we were able to help four clients, all of whom have served long sentences since they were very young, have the opportunity to one day earn parole. It’s a powerful testament to the importance of having competent and committed lawyers representing you.”
The firm has a long history of obtaining new sentences for defendants sentenced as juveniles to life in prison without parole and overturning wrongful convictions. Milbank and the Perlmutter Center for Legal Justice at Cardozo Law recently announced a comprehensive, four-year partnership aimed at combating inequities in the US criminal justice system. The new Milbank Exoneration and Resentencing Review Unit at the Perlmutter Center will focus on wrongful conviction, excessive sentencing and clemency.
The Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights is a nonprofit law office that stands with kids in the justice system, providing holistic legal defense to address children’s needs both inside and outside the courtroom.
