Future Appointed Counsel Training (FACT) Program Class of 2014

Transcription

1 1201 Franklin Street, 13 th Floor Houston, Texas Office # Fax # Future Appointed Counsel Training (FACT) Program Class of 2014 Applications Due: Monday, March 31, 2014 The Harris County Public Defender s Office (PDO) has established a year-long training program for new criminal defense lawyers. The U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance, awarded the PDO a competitive grant called Answering Gideon s Call: Improving Indigent Defense Delivery Systems to develop the Future Appointed Counsel Training (FACT) Program. The goal of the FACT Program is to provide comprehensive training, mentoring, and support for new criminal defense lawyers to ensure that they have the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively represent indigent defendants. The program seeks to increase the number of high-quality attorneys who are eligible for appointment to represent indigent defendants in Harris County. Description of the Program Through a highly competitive selection process, ten new attorneys will be awarded a position in the FACT Class of (There was a previous Class of 2013.) The program will feature: Gideon s Promise Core 101 Program an elite, national training program for NextGen Defenders, featured in the HBO documentary Gideon s Army. Training is provided by Gideon s Promise ( in Birmingham, Alabama at Samford University and Atlanta, and includes: The Summer Institute a boot camp 14-day training session August 2 16, All travel, lodging, and training expenses provided by FACT for the Summer Institute. Semi-annual, weekend-long sessions for advanced, follow-up training through All travel, lodging, and training expenses provided for sessions in January and August Training expenses only are paid for the remaining three required meetings. In-House Training from the Public Defender s Office education specific to Harris County practice, including: An intensive two-day training on trial skills, Texas criminal law, the ABA s Ten Principles, and the State Bar of Texas s Performance Guidelines for Non-Capital Criminal Defense. Frequent CLEs on criminal law and criminal defense strategies from the best local attorneys. Personalized Mentorship all FACT members will receive one year of individual, customized training from experienced mentors engaged in the private practice of criminal defense. FACT only employs mentors with the highest reputations of excellence to teach their craft. Shadowing, observation, and collaboration on real cases defended in Harris County. Detailed instruction plus interaction with key players give an unparalleled edge in local practice. 1

2 Applicant Qualifications Applicants must meet the following qualifications by the time the program begins in August 2014: Graduation from an accredited law school, and Completion of the Texas Bar Examination. If licensed, in good standing and licensed as an attorney for less than 3 years. The desire to practice criminal defense in Harris County. The ability to engage in an intensive, unpaid training and mentoring program for one year and follow-up training sessions over the next two years. Application Requirements Applicants must submit the following materials as part of their application packet: Application Form Resume (max 3 pages) Law School Transcript Photo of Yourself Personal Statement (up to 5 pages) or Writing Sample (up to 10 pages) Two Letters of Recommendation Applicants for the 2014 class must their application packet by March 31, 2014 to: PDOFACT@hctx.net Interviews and Final Decisions Interviews with final candidates are expected to take place in mid-to-late April. Final decisions on accepted applicants for the class of 2014 will be made by mid-may. Orientation An orientation for the class of 2014 will occur in early June. For additional information or questions contact: Scott Ehlers Legal and Policy Analyst Harris County Public Defender s Office PDOFACT@hctx.net 2

3 1201 Franklin Street, 13 th Floor Houston, Texas Office # Fax # Future Appointed Counsel Training Program Application Form Due: Monday, March 31, 2014 Name Preferred first name Home Address City State Zip Phone Date of Birth Drivers License Number How did you learn about the FACT Program? BAR EXAM Date of Exam Date of Results Date of Licensing LAW SCHOOL Institution Graduation Date GPA Class Rank % COLLEGE Institution Major & Degree Grad Date GPA List any other colleges and degrees EMPLOYMENT Current Employment 3

4 Anticipated Employment August 2014 August 2015 Languages other than English in which you are fluent: You may answer the following by writing or typing in the space provided, or you may use a separate sheet of paper. 1. What issues are you most passionate about? 2. What do you envision yourself doing in the future? 3. Describe an experience in your life that influenced your desire to practice criminal defense. 4. Why do you want to practice in Harris County? 5. What would you hope to achieve from being a part of the FACT Program? 6. What do you NOT want to do as part of the FACT Program or in future career endeavors? 4

5 Your application must contain the following: Application Form Resume (max 3 pages) Law School Transcript Photo of Yourself Personal Statement (up to 5 pages) or Writing Sample (up to 10 pages) Two Letters of Recommendation *No applications will be considered unless they are complete and submitted according to the instructions. CERTIFICATION By signing below, I hereby certify that all the information that I have given in this application and attachments is my own and is true and correct to the best of my knowledge. I further certify that I understand this program requires a three year commitment and attendance in each training session only excusable by extraordinary circumstances. Applicant Signature Date Completed applications and questions must be directed to: Scott Ehlers Legal and Policy Analyst Harris County Public Defender s Office PDOFACT@hctx.net 5