The late Larry Hammond, along with the Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice, founded the nonprofit Arizona Justice Project in 1998. The Arizona Justice Project was the fifth innocence organization formed in the country with a mission to correct wrongful convictions. In 2003, Larry also helped found the Innocence Network, a coalition of independent innocence organizations dedicated to this same mission. Today, there are over 70 projects worldwide.

While the Arizona Justice Project focuses on identifying and representing innocent people in Arizona prisons, Larry, and the attorneys involved in this formation, sought to expand the Arizona Justice Project’s reach by also representing those in Arizona prisons who have suffered a manifest injustice.

For 25 years, Arizona Justice Project staff, volunteer lawyers, law and undergraduate students, investigators, social workers, and others have helped free 43 individuals from incarceration – all under the supervision and guidance of Larry Hammond. Larry had his own law practice at Osborn Maledon yet he still made the time to start this important program in Arizona, to serve as its President for 23 years, and to provide guidance and assistance no matter how big or small. Larry’s passion to correct injustices – and to stand with the marginalized – was unwavering. This type of advocacy is woven into every fabric of the Arizona Justice Project to this day.