Associate Counsel, Center for Social Justice

Loyola University New Orleans; New Orleans (LA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 155,000; Full time

Job summary

Loyola University New Orleans Center for Social Justice seeks an Associate Counsel to provide legal research and writing support for capital appellate and post-conviction matters in Louisiana. The role involves assisting lead counsel, investigators and mitigation specialists, and managing case records with a focus on client-centered representation.

Ideal candidates have capital defense experience, strong research and writing skills, and a commitment to anti-racism and serving diverse populations

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school.
• Licensed to practice law in Louisiana or must become licensed at earliest opportunity after hiring.
• Minimum of three years’ experience in direct representation of criminal defendants, ideally in capital cases.

Responsibilities

• Conduct legal research and write memoranda, briefs and petitions.
• Support lead counsel, investigators and mitigation specialists in case work.
• Assist with records collection and investigation and manage case files.
• Provide input on case strategy and serve as second chair on capital teams.

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

Case strategy

Organization

Independent work

Collaboration

Education

J.D. degree

Job description

Description

The Center for Social Justice is a new center based at Loyola University College of Law in New Orleans, Louisiana that provides capital appellate and post-conviction representation to indigent people on Louisiana’s death row, as well as juveniles facing sentences of life without parole. CSJ provides high-quality representation to a full caseload of clients in state and federal courts throughout Louisiana, with the assistance of students at Loyola. CSJ attorneys, formerly of the Capital Appeals Project, have successfully represented clients in state district courts, the Louisiana Supreme Court, and the U.S. Supreme Court, which in turn has dramatically improved the quality and standards of representation for indigent capital defendants in Louisiana and throughout the Deep South. With the new center, CSJ will train new capital defense attorneys and continue providing excellent client-centered representation in our cases.

Examples of Duties

The role of Associate Counsel is primarily responsible for legal research and writing, support for lead counsel, investigators and mitigation specialists, assistance with records collection and investigation, file management, and has an important voice in the overall case strategy. An Associate Counsel is a highly organized and self-directed individual with significant criminal defense/capital/post-conviction experience and a demonstrated commitment to excellent, client-centered representation. Associate Counsel must be qualified as such under the state capital guidelines, and are expected to act as second chair on their capital teams.

Typical Qualifications

• (1) a graduate of an accredited law school.
• (2) licensed to practice law in the State of Louisiana, or must become so licensed at the earliest opportunity after hiring.

Selection Criteria

Ideal candidates will have a minimum of three years’ experience in the direct representation of criminal defendants and ideally some capital defense experience.

Candidates must be qualified to serve as associate appellate and post-conviction counsel, which involves at least three years of experience representing criminal defendants or two years of experience at a full-time capital defense organization, along with other experience-based qualifications.

For more about the Louisiana Public Defender guidelines see here.

Candidates should demonstrate familiarity with national and state capital defense best practice standards, as well as working knowledge of trauma, brain dysfunction, and mental illness.

Candidates must demonstrate a commitment to working with diverse populations and centering the humanity of all of our clients and their family members, as well as a commitment to anti-racism.

Candidates must have strong legal research, legal analysis and writing skills; the ability to analyze complex legal records and issues; perform detailed and complex legal research; and draft motions, memoranda, briefs, appeals and petitions for writs of certiorari; an established capacity to complete assignments timely; and an established capacity to work both independently and collaboratively.

Candidates must be able to communicate effectively with clients, family members, experts of all kinds, witnesses, colleagues, office staff and court personnel.

In accordance with the Campus Security Act as amended, Loyola University publishes annually and distributes to members of the academic community, and upon request to prospective (students/employees), an annual security report. That report includes current policies and procedures of the University Police Department for the reporting of campus crimes, notifying the campus community of occurrence of campus crimes, policies regarding access to campus buildings, the enforcement authority of the University Police Officers and their relationship to local police. University policies on the possession, use and sale of alcohol and illegal drugs are outlined. The Campus sexual Assault Program and policy is described. Campus crime statistics as defined under this law for the last three calendar years are included. A copy of this report may be secured from the (Office of Admissions), (Office of Human Resources), or from the University Police Department.

Loyola University New Orleans does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, veteran's status or national origin in its educational programs or activities, including employment and admissions. At the same time, Loyola cherishes its right to seek and retain personnel who will make a positive contribution to its religious character, goals, and mission in order to enhance the Jesuit, Catholic tradition.