More than two decades ago, the Arizona State Bar sponsored a series of internships designed to encourage highly qualified and motivated law students to become career prosecutors. Truman R. Young, Jr., a former Air Force Academy graduate and decorated combat pilot, was one of the students selected to participate in this honor program. During his internships and subsequent career as a prosecutor, Truman exemplified the qualities that the public expects of its advocates. On more than one occasion Truman declined lucrative offers from prestigious law firms to continue as a prosecutor.

 

On March 13, 1982, Truman R. Young, Jr., was killed in a mid-air collision while piloting a National Guard airplane. In memory of Truman and in tribute to him, his friends and colleagues in conjunction with the Arizona Prosecuting Attorney’s Advisory Council and the College of Law, established th
e Truman R. Young, Jr. Prosecuting Fellowship.

 

The fellowship is designed to offer one third year law student each year the opportunity to participate in the type of honor internship program Truman Young found so rewarding.

 

The fellowship program is administered by the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law Clinical Programs Office. The Truman Young Fellow works in four prosecuting offices during the one-year fellowship period. The offices include the City of Phoenix prosecutor’s office, the Maricopa County Attorney’s office, the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office of Arizona. The rotation schedule will depend on the needs of the participating offices, but the Fellow will generally spend about 3 months at each office.

 

The fellow participates in the program during the summer following the second year of law school working at the City of Phoenix prosecutor’s office 40 hours a week. The Fellow also attends the summer session of the Criminal Practice Clinic seminar. During the fall and spring semesters, the Fellow is assigned to three different prosecutor’s offices putting in about 20 hours per week. The Fellow earns 12 pass/fail credits and receives a $10,000 stipend and  $5,500 tuition scholarship.