Johnnie Cochran Award for the Relentless Pursuit of Justice 

Joseph A. Markus & Joseph E. Markus

As one of California's only father-son criminal defense teams, Joseph A. Markus and Joseph E. Markus have dedicated their practice to obtaining post-conviction relief under Senate Bill 1437 — a landmark law eliminating accomplice liability for murder in cases where the defendant did not act as the actual killer. Joseph A. Markus brings 33 years of prosecutorial experience, including homicide and death penalty cases, while Joseph E. Markus contributes a sharp legal writing background — a combination that has proven remarkably effective.

Together, they have won or resolved 68 petitions resulting in client releases or definite release dates, litigated over 400 petitions statewide, and accounted for 6% of all SB 1437 resentencings in California. Their work spans trial courts, the California Court of Appeal, and the California Supreme Court — and has changed lives across the state, including securing the first SB 1437 victory in Los Angeles County and winning freedom for a client previously sentenced to life without parole.