Samantha Kennedy

Samantha Kennedy is the Executive Director of PJI. She has lived in New Orleans for almost two decades. Samantha is an attorney, mitigation specialist, and a racial justice and human rights advocate committed to fighting for the rights and dignity of people impacted by the incarceration system and other oppressive governmental actions.

A proven leader with expertise in capital defense, litigation strategy, and complex narrative construction, Samantha has focused her efforts on the death penalty and international conflict. As a thought leader, she collaborates nationwide with capital defenders on policy and practice and has been faculty at dozens of trainings and intensive educational programs all over the world.