Attorney - Conviction Integrity Unit (Minnesota)

National Association of Community and Restorative Justice (NACRJ); Minnesota; Hybrid; USD 116,699 - 175,049; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Referral bonus $500

Job summary

The Hennepin County Attorney's Office’s Conviction Integrity Unit seeks an experienced licensed Attorney to review prior convictions for indicators of actual innocence, constitutional violations, or unjust outcomes. The position is hybrid—on-site in Minneapolis and remote as duties demand—with a starting salary in a broad range and a closing date in mid-July.

Responsibilities include reviewing records, coordinating with partners, overseeing forensic testing, and drafting legal motions and

Qualifications

• Licensed to practice law in Minnesota and two years of attorney experience.
• Ability to obtain Minnesota licensure as a condition of employment.

Responsibilities

• Review prior HCAO convictions for innocence, constitutional violations, excess sentences, or injustices.
• Obtain and review court records, law enforcement documents, and related materials.
• Collaborate with attorneys, law enforcement, counsel, and stakeholders on case reviews.
• Oversee DNA and forensic testing on cases.
• Conduct legal research to assess claims relevant to reviewed convictions.
• Make recommendations on actions and remedies based on findings.
• Prepare motions, briefs, and other court documents related to CIU reviews.
• Appear in court for proceedings arising from CIU case reviews.

Skills

Legal research

Postconviction litigation

Criminal law knowledge

Writing and court filings

Education

Minnesota bar admission

Job description

Description

The Hennepin County Attorney's Office’s (HCAO) Conviction Integrity Unit (CIU) is seeking an experienced licensed Attorney with Admission to the Bar of the State of Minnesota or ability to obtain Minnesota licensure as a conditional offer of employment, to review prior convictions of the HCAO for indicators of actual innocence, constitutional violations, excess sentences, or other injustices.

Attorney - Conviction Integrity Unit

Salary

$116,699.98 - $175,049.97 Annually

Job Number

26CAO341TF032

Closing Date

7/14/2026 11:59 PM Central

The Hennepin County Attorney's Office’s (HCAO) Conviction Integrity Unit (CIU) is seeking an experienced licensed Attorney with Admission to the Bar of the State of Minnesota or ability to obtain Minnesota licensure as a conditional offer of employment, to review prior convictions of the HCAO for indicators of actual innocence, constitutional violations, excess sentences, or other injustices.

The CIU rectifies wrongful convictions and excessive or unjust sentences and identifies errors in past prosecutions so the HCAO can right past wrongs and take steps, along with its justice partners, to prevent such errors from recurring.

Current Hennepin County employees who refer a candidate hired into an open competitive position may be eligible for a $500 referral bonus. For more information visit employee referral program.

Find us here at upcoming career fairs!

Location and hours

This position is hybrid and will be performed both on-site at the Hennepin County Government Center at 300 South 6th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55487, and remote as job duties require. Work hours will be Monday through Friday, with typical hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. While this position is designated as hybrid, based on current requirements hires must reside in or relocate to Minnesota or Wisconsin. New Employee Orientation (NEO) for all new benefit-earning employees is in-person in downtown Minneapolis. Details about NEO will be provided upon hire.

About The Position Type

This is a full-time benefit earning position.

This position is internally classified as an Attorney.

Click here to view the job classification specification.

In This Position, You Will

• Review prior convictions of the HCAO for indicators of actual innocence, constitutional violations, excess sentences, or other injustices.
• Obtain and review voluminous court records, law enforcement documents, and all other documents connected with or relevant to a criminal prosecution.
• Partner and collaborate with attorney’s, law enforcement agencies, counsel for represented parties, and other stakeholders in the review of cases.
• Oversee DNA and other forensic testing on cases.
• Engage in legal research to assess claims relevant to prior convictions under review.
• Make recommendations on courses of action and remedies, if any, based on review of cases and findings
• Prepare motions, briefs, and other legal papers in connection with court proceedings resulting from the CIU’s case reviews.
• Appear in court in connection with court proceedings resulting from the CIU’s case reviews.

Need To Have

• Licensed to practice law in the State of Minnesota and two years of experience as an attorney.

Nice To Have

• Experience:
• Working in a public law office, which includes prosecutor or public defender offices.
• Working in criminal law, including innocence or wrongful conviction organizations, conviction integrity units, or other specialty areas related to the position.
• Knowledge of:
• Legal principles and practices in the area of criminal law, including matters of constitutional law relevant to criminal practice; common causes of wrongful convictions.
• Postconviction procedure and the rules of evidence.
• Local laws and ordinances, established precedents, and legal reference sources.
• The principles, methods, and practices of legal research and investigation.
• Judicial procedures and the rules of evidence.
• Ability to:
• Prepare and conduct postconviction litigation regarding wrongful convictions and corrective sentencing.
• Review and synthesize large volumes of information.
• Construct well-organized and cogent written work products, including statements of fact and legal arguments; prepare proper legal instruments and court documents.
• Demonstrate initiative in keeping projects progressing forward.
• Exercise superior judgment on complex, highly consequential matters.

If You Have Any Questions, Please Contact

Talent Acquisition division
Hennepin County Human Resources department
Submit a request at hennepin.us/ask-hr or 612-348-7855