Duke Law News & Events

NLADA honors Mary Ann Tally '74 with award

According to the NLADA, the "Reggie" celebrates the outstanding achievements and dedicated services of an attorney for contributions made while employed by an organization providing civil legal services or indigent defense services.

"Mary Ann Tally has been for years a role model for countless lawyers in this State and beyond, not only as a tireless advocate for the poor but also as a top-notch litigator, who happens to be a woman," said Cynthia F. Adcock, professor of law. " We at Duke are fortunate to have such an inspiring and talented alumna and are proud that she has received this much deserved, national recognition from the NLADA."

Tally distinguished herself early in her career as the public defender in Fayetteville, North Carolina, where, prior to her service in this position, few qualified attorneys were interested in working. Because she set the bar so high for achievement, Tally was able to recruit talented and committed young attorneys. It remains a badge of honor for attorneys to say that they began their careers working with her there.

Tally took the lead in establishing a legal strategy following the reinstitution of the death penalty after Woodson v. North Carolina. She also crafted a multi-dimensional strategy to oppose the execution of persons on North Carolina's death row, including efforts on the political front, organized and led a diverse coalition of groups in attempts to persuade the legislature to abolish the death penalty for persons with mental retardation and for juveniles, and advocated for a racial justice act.

One of Tally's more recent contributions involved playing a leading role in the legislative study commission that recommended the formation of the groundbreaking Indigent Defense Commission in North Carolina. In 2000, the state's legislature adopted the recommendations of the study commission and transferred authority and control of all indigent defense in North Carolina from the administrative office of the courts to an independent Indigent Defense Commission Board comprised primarily of attorneys engaged in indigent defense. This represents a dramatic turn of fortune for North Carolina, where currently more than 200 persons are sentenced to die, and which has the third highest per capita death-sentencing rate in the country.