Each year the Project recognizes law firms and attorneys who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to providing high quality pro bono representation for indigent death row prisoners. Pro bono firms are nominated by their colleagues to honor the firm’s exceptional service to their clients on death row. There is no minimum number of prisoners the firms must have represented, or requirement of previous work with the Project, but award winners have typically gone above and beyond to provide high-quality pro bono representation. The Exceptional Service Award honors the outstanding efforts of volunteer law firms. It was first presented at the Project's 20th Anniversary Celebration in 2006. The John Paul Stevens Guiding Hand of Counsel Award recognizes individual attorneys who have demonstrated the kind of courage and commitment associated with Justice Stevens. Justice Stevens was the inaugural recipient of this award, presented to him at the Project's 25th Anniversary Celebration in 2011.

 To be considered for this year’s award, all nomination materials must be submitted by Friday, June 3, 2022.