Amicus

Amicus is a charity that helps provide legal representation to those facing execution in the US. The charity aims to provide better access to justice and to raise awareness of potential abuses of defendants’ rights. Amicus’ work is three-fold:

Internships:

Amicus places legal interns in pre-trial, appellate and research capital defence offices throughout the US. Many such offices operate within severe funding constraints, and Amicus interns provide vital support.

Applicants will need to:

• have completed a law degree or Graduate Diploma in Law
• have completed or soon be taking the BPTC
• have an excellent academic record, and proven intellectual ability
• have a demonstrated interest in criminal law and the criminal justice system
• be motivated to succeed at the Criminal Bar, and have taken steps to develop skills and personal qualities necessary to succeed at the Criminal Bar
• have demonstrated potential as an advocate
• have excellent verbal and written communication skills
• be able to demonstrate financial need (in confidence, candidates will be asked to supply the interview panel with appropriate evidence of need)

Casework:

Amicus’ casework programme provides remote assistance to US capital defenders faced with tight timescales and limited deadlines. Amicus co-ordinates up to 200 caseworkers in firms and chambers across London.

Raising awareness:

In order to highlight the injustices of death row, Amicus holds a variety of awareness-raising events, including comprehensive training sessions on US capital defence law and procedure. It also publishes a monthly newsletter and an academic journal.

The Kalisher intern is based in an Amicus-affiliated capital defence office in the US.

The successful applicant for the 2020 vacancy was Josephine Teale of 23 Essex Street.

Future vacancies for the Kalisher internship with Amicus will be advertised on this website and through Twitter.

Click here for more information about the work of Amicus.