Since 2001, the Firm has sponsored a two-year fellowship for recent graduates to work in the field of civil rights. Following the death of founding partner Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr., this fellowship was named in his memory to honor his dedication and commitment to civil rights while a member of the Firm and throughout his distinguished career.
Former fellows have gone on to a variety of positions in the field of civil rights law, including representing indigent defendants and Guantanamo detainees, as well as teaching law at the University of Virginia, Yale University, Fordham University, the City University of New York, and the University of Texas at Austin.
To apply: The fall 2012 fellowship has been filled. Applications for the fall 2013 fellowship will be accepted between October 1 and November 1, 2012. To apply, please email a cover letter addressed to Debi Cornwall, a resume, a transcript, one writing sample, and a list of 3 references to fellows@nsbcivilrights.com.
NSB Alums in Print:
Prof. Brandon Garrett
“Convicting the Innocent: Where Criminal Prosecutions Go Wrong”
Prof. Brandon L. Garrett
Harvard University Press, 2011
read more about the book here
“Confessing to Crime, but Innocent”
John Schwartz
New York Times, September 13, 2010
see story (pdf)
“Prosecutors Block Access to DNA Testing for Inmates”
Shaila Dewan
New York Times, May 18, 2009
see story (pdf)
“Study of Wrongful Convictions Raises Questions Beyond DNA”
Adam Liptak
New York Times, July 23, 2007
see story (pdf)
Prof. Jennifer Laurin
“Melendez-Diaz v. Massachusetts, Rodriguez v. City of Houston, and Remedial Rationing”
Columbia Law Review, August 19, 2009
see article (pdf)
Prof. Ramzi Kassem
“The Black Sites: A Rare Look Inside the CIA’s Secret Interrogation Programs”
Jane Mayer
The New Yorker, August 13, 2007
see story (pdf)