National Law Journal Honors Jim Rocap with 2011 Pro Bono Award

The National Law Journal honored Steptoe and Johnson LLP and Jim Rocap with its annual Pro Bono Award for the firm's representation of Virginia death row inmate Teresa Lewis, who in 2003 was sentenced to death for her role in the murder of her husband and stepson. Borderline mentally retarded, suffering from dependent personality disorder, and addicted to prescription drugs, Ms. Lewis was manipulated by a man who readily admitted that he used her in order to obtain the insurance proceeds and then make a career for himself as a contract killer. Mr. Rocap said that from the beginning of his representation of Ms. Lewis, he could see that there was something badly wrong with the death sentence originally handed down in the case, since her trial attorneys advised her to plead guilty and then did nothing to inform the court of her significant mental and emotional disabilities. For six years he led a team of Steptoe attorneys and paralegals on her habeas petitions and appeals, and he personally served as her counselor, advisor, and friend. Despite many long hours uncovering and putting together new pieces of evidence for her state and federal habeas petitions and (at the end) her clemency petition, she was executed on September 23, 2010. 

Though deeply affected by Ms. Lewis’s death, Mr. Rocap is unequivocal that lawyers must help fill the persistent void in adequate representation for those on death row — even if things turn out badly. “Lawyers are the ones who need to do this,” he said. “Whatever it is that I went through, it pales in comparison to what my client went through. It seems like a very small sacrifice to step outside our comfort zone and help, even if it hurts us.” 

To read the full story on the case and Mr. Rocap’s dedication to pro bono service, please click here.