PJI Launches Walker – Thompson Fellowship in honor of criminal justice reform advocates John Thompson and Neal Walker

Neal Walker with his family (left), John Thompson and his wife Laverne Thompson (right)

In September 2022, PJI created the Walker-Thompson Fellowship. The fellowship is dedicated in honor of Neal Walker and John Thompson, two advocates whose work has had a lasting impact on Louisiana’s criminal legal system.

Neal Walker was a capital defense attorney who advocated for people sentenced to death in Louisiana. He began his career at the Louisiana Capital Assistance Center and later founded the Capital Appeals Project. Neal represented dozens of indigent clients on death row throughout his career.

John Thompson was a death row exoneree who was wrongly incarcerated for 18 years, including 14 years spent on death row at Angola. After his release, JT worked closely with exonerees and others in the criminal justice reform community. At the center of his work was Resurrection After Exoneration (RAE), a space in New Orleans which served those most hurt by the injustice of the criminal legal system.

Walker-Thompson Legal Fellows will work to transform the criminal legal system and carry on the legacy of Neal Walker’s and JT’s work.

“Neal and John exemplify the creativity, love of life and tenacity we want our fellows to embody throughout their careers. We are so honored that their loved ones agreed to lend their legacy to our work.”

— Mercedes Montagnes, PJI Executive Director

Apply to be a Walker-Thompson fellow

We are seeking a candidate with interest in exploring civil, strategic criminal litigation, and policy work. This unique fellowship gives a wide variety of experiences for a fellow to try the various ways to advocate for change in the criminal system. The fellow should expect to gain experience conducting investigations, discovery, and working with experts, in addition to significant time visiting people in prisons. Fellowships will vary depending on the work within in the office but will involve drafting, research, oral advocacy, and client counseling.