Dear Ms.

X
I am writing to apply for a position as a juvenile defender with your
organization. As my enclosed resume indicates, I am a 2016
graduate of the University of Alabama School of Law and have a
strong interest in criminal defense and juvenile justice issues
While in law school, I took a variety of classes on criminal law
including Criminal Defense Trial Advocacy, Criminal Procedure, and
Sentencing. These courses not only educated me to the nuances of
criminal law and trial practice but also prepared me from my eventual
enrollment in the Criminal Defense Clinic. As a member of the
Criminal Defense Clinic, I appeared in Municipal, District and Circuit
Court in Tuscaloosa County. There, I was able to put into practice for
my clients what I had learned academically. The Clinic provided me a
unique opportunity to see the courts in practice while representing
the accused. My clinical experience bolstered my commitment to
indigent criminal defense work.
Despite my strong interest in criminal defense work, my interest in
juvenile justice didnt truly peak until my sentencing course. Asked to
write a paper on a sentencing topic, I chose restorative justice.
Unlike other methods of sentencing, which have a retributive
component, the restorative justice movement seeks to make the
parties whole addressing not only the complaining witnesss loss or
injury but the defendants as well. This system, which has been
implemented in many countries with great success, is particularly
promising for youthful offenders as it recognizes the implications of
their youth in assessing criminal culpability. In writing this paper, I
came to have a greater appreciation for the unique role that the
juvenile justice system plays, and juvenile defenders play within that
system. Based on this experience, my final project in Public Interest
Lawyering was based on an idea for a mentorship program for
Birmingham Area youth.
Each of these academic experiences built on my personal experiences
as a young person involved with the criminal justice system. I know
the destructive effects of a juvenile arrest, even one that does not
result in a conviction. A juvenile defenders committed advocacy and
personal attentiveness to the juveniles needs have the potential to
make all the difference in the juveniles life.
I would look forward to the opportunity to work for your agency and
defend the youth of Jefferson County, Alabama. A state I have lived
my entire life, and the area I have spent the last seven years of that
life. If you have any questions about my application or wish to discuss

it further, I can be reached at (205) 614-7824 and by email

j.daniel.bain@gmail.com.
I welcome a reply at your earliest convenience.
Best Regards,