FTI Fellowship Application

Download an application (PDF)

NEW APPLICATION DEADLINES FOR 2010-2012 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. Although not necessarily controlling, 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 Initiative Osborn Fellowship requires a two-year commitment. Fellows should be prepared to begin work after Labor Day. Compensation is $33,000 per year plus benefits. While it is in the nature of trial work that some periods will be extremely demanding, we envision that, on average, fellows will work 40 hour weeks. 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.

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. Application Cover Sheet.
  2. A resume and cover letter.  Cover letters should serve as a personal statement clearly articulating the candidate's interest in this particular fellowship.
  3. A copy of your law school transcript.
  4. The completed Osborn Fellow Application Cover Sheet (downloadable above).
  5. A writing sample of not more than 10 pages.
  6. 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.
  7. Optionally, any additional material which would assist the Fair Trial Initiative in evaluating your application.

APPLICATIONS ARE ACCEPTED ON A ROLLING BASIS, THEREFORE APPLICANTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION FOR MEMBERSHIP IN THE FELLOW CLASS OF 2010-2012. COMPLETED FELLOWSHIP APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY OCTOBER 31, 2009.  No applications recieved 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. 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:

  • Southeastern Minority Job Fair in Atlanta
  • Cook County Bar Association Minority Job Fair in Chicago
  • National BLSA Southern Region Job Fair in Atlanta
  • Equal Justice Works Job Fair in Washington, D.C., October 24 and 25, 2009

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 Washington, D.C., December 4-7, and in New York City in late December or early January.  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 mark[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