The Attorney Mentoring Program of the U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, is accepting applications for its class of 2024–25. This Program is designed to equip experienced State Court practitioners with the special skills and knowledge needed to represent defendants in federal criminal cases. One important goal of the Mentoring Program is to expand the diversity of the federal defense bar. Accordingly, we place particular emphasis on equipping women and members of minority communities with the experience and expertise necessary to become viable candidates for the Criminal Justice Act Panel. However, The Program is open to all members of the Bar. Accordingly, all members of the Bar are encouraged and welcomed to apply to participate in this Program. Interested attorneys should complete the Mentoring Program application form, and email it to Peter Quijano at peter@qandelaw.com, and Anthony Ricco at tonyricco@aol.com.
“The Southern District’s Mentoring Program was the first of its kind in the nation and since been the model for similar programs nationwide. It has enhanced the membership of our defense bar, enabling diverse and talented lawyers to gain federal practice experience in mentoring relationships with distinguished practitioners. Experienced state court practitioners are given exposure to the legal and practical differences between state and federal practice, learning in federal courtrooms under the tutelage of some of the finest federal criminal defense lawyers anywhere, and have the opportunity to be considered for membership on our Criminal Justice Act Panel.” – Chief Judge Laura Taylor Swain