Avoiding burnout on the Death Row defense bar

Carol Simpson — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 11:47:23 -0500

Each week during our internship, the legal staff has an “Intern CLE,” or some sort of legal lecture. Sometimes we watch a video on some aspect of public interest law, followed by a Q&A with an attorney practicing in that field. It may be someone working in criminal defense, legal aid, a lobbyist, or a legislative aide. We even watched Good Night, and Good Luck. The interns get to learn a little about other areas of public interest law, and can network with attorneys in other non-profits. And it serves as a little break in an otherwise intensive work week.

We were fortunate to have Rob Owen, clinical professor in the University of Texas Death Penalty Clinic, speak to us on a recent Friday. He gave us a brief history of the Clinic, and of his involvement in Death Row cases. Some readers may be in states that have not had any executions since the reinstitution of the death penalty, but Texas seems to be the leader in that dubious fraternity. As Prof. Owen talked about the cases, the attitude of courts and the public, and the clients themselves, I began to wonder how someone “hangs in” while doing that sort of work.

capital punishment

Avoiding burnout on the Death Row defense bar