FTI Fellowship Application

Download an application (PDF)

APPLICATION DEADLINES FOR 2012-2014 FELLOWSHIP

(More information below)

The Fair Trial Initiative is looking for outstanding third-year law students and new lawyers who are committed to providing first-rate legal representation to indigent defendants facing the death penalty. Special consideration will be given to applicants with a demonstrated interest in capital and criminal defense work, as well as those who articulate a desire to continue practice in North Carolina upon completion of the fellowship.

Description

The Fair Trial Osborn Fellowship requires a two-year commitment. Fellows should be prepared to begin work after Labor Day 2012. Compensation is $34,000 per year plus benefits that include full health care coverage. Fellows are expected to have a reliable vehicle throughout the fellowship, and extensive travel can be expected both in the course of representing clients and for training. Because Fellows’ work involves participating on several capital defense teams during and before trial, the Fellowship can be a very demanding and intense experience. Throughout the fellowship, participants will be required to attend several trainings and will be encouraged to augment them with additional training as opportunities arise. FTI is committed to creating the country’s next best capital defense attorneys who will remain committed to the work for as long as the issue is a part of our criminal justice system.

Eligibility

Osborn Fellows must be graduates of an accredited law school by the time the fellowship begins. Fellowship applicants should be barred or should be planning to take the North Carolina bar in the summer preceding their fellowship.

Applicants need not be current law students to be considered for a fellowship. We welcome applicants with clerkship or other practical experience.

To apply for the fellowship, please send:

  1. Your resume accompanied by a cover letter articulating your specific interest in capital defense work and this fellowship.
  2. A copy of your law school transcript.
  3. The completed Osborn Fellow Application Cover Sheet (downloadable above).
  4. A writing sample of not more than 10 pages.
  5. The names and phone numbers of the following references:
    1. One supervisor from every legal job you have had since starting law school (including clinics and externship programs). Please include the name of the employing agency or program as well as that of the supervisor.
    2. One law school professor who is familiar with your academic performance.
  6. Optionally, FTI is pleased to receive any additional material which would assist us in evaluating your application.

COMPLETED FELLOWSHIP APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY OCTOBER 31, 2011.  No applications received after this date will be considered.

Finalists will be contacted to arrange interviews. Finalists may be asked to participate in multiple telephone interviews. FTI finds in-person interviews valuable, and as such we will cooperate with applicants to make them available when practicable. Candidates are always welcome to schedule an appointment to meet with FTI in our Durham office, but due to budgetary constraints, FTI is unable to fund candidate travel expenses.

FTI recruits fellow applicants at several public interest job fairs. Applicants are encouraged to attempt to schedule interviews with an FTI representative at one of the following fairs:

  • Cook County Bar Association Minority Job Fair, August 12th in Chicago
  • Equal Justice Works Job Fair October 21 and 22 in Washington, D.C.

Given the short interview times available during these fairs, applicants are invited to inquire with FTI regarding availability for interviews in these cities outside of the ordinary hours reserved for the fair.

In addition, representatives of FTI will likely be available to meet with candidates in New York City or New Orleans sometime before the application deadline.  Contact the Executive Director for more information about scheduling an interview or meeting in these cities.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Executive Director, Mark Kleinschmidt. Mark can be reached by e-mail at mark[at]fairtrial.org, or by phone at (919) 680-2986.

Applicants are invited to email their completed materials to apply[at]fairtrial.org (preferred method), or to fax their materials to (919) 688-7973 or send through post to:

Fair Trial Initiative
Osborn Fellowship Program
201 W. Main Street, Suite 300
Durham, NC 27701