TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Elizabeth Barry Johnson, 1990 University of Alabama School of Law graduate, received a 2001 American Bar Association Pro Bono Publico Award during the ABA Annual Meeting on Aug. 6 in Chicago.
The ABA Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service established the award in 1984 to recognize lawyers and law firms for noteworthy contributions to extending free legal services to the poor and disadvantaged.
Johnson, a partner in Sirote & Permutt, represented Michael Pardue, an indigent man convicted in 1973 of three counts of first-degree murder. Pardue had received inadequate representation until Johnson was appointed to represent him in 1992.
Johnson spent nine years and more than 500 hours helping Pardue before his convictions were overturned in 1997. However, a state court judge re-sentenced Pardue to life without parole because of three previous attempts to escape prison. In February 2001, after garnering significant media attention, including a front-page story in the New York Times and a segment on “Dateline NBC,” Johnson secured Pardue’s release from prison after 28 years. Since Pardue’s release, Johnson has taken on another pro bono criminal case.
Johnson will be inducted as an honorary member of the Law School’s Order of Samaritan, the highest award a student can earn through community service, on Wednesday, Oct. 10, at 5 p.m. at the University Club in Tuscaloosa.
Contact
Laura Medders or Linda Hill, Office of Media Relations, (205) 348-8325
Source
Cheston Turbyfill, UA School of Law, (205) 348-0994