Post-Conviction Litigation Fellow

New Haven County Bar Association; New York, Northern (NY, KY); Hybrid; USD 93,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Flexible Spending Account

401(k) with employer match

Paid family leave

PSLF program eligibility

Job summary

The Innocence Project invites applications for a two-year Post-Conviction Litigation Fellow who will reinvestigate and litigate actual innocence claims. The Fellow works directly with attorneys to develop litigation strategy, handle fact-finding, and collaborate with experts and investigators in trial and appellate courts.

Ideal candidates possess strong research and writing skills, a passion for criminal justice reform, and a commitment to public interest work.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited law school (J.D.)
• Bar admission or readiness to sit for next exam
• Demonstrated interest in indigent defense and racial justice
• Strong legal research and persuasive writing skills
• Strong oral advocacy and communication abilities
• Legally authorized to work in the U.S.

Responsibilities

• Assist in drafting litigation strategy
• Assist in post-conviction factual reinvestigations
• Write motions and briefs including DNA testing motions and relief from conviction
• Conduct legal research
• Communicate with clients and families
• Prepare for and participate in evidentiary hearings

Skills

Legal research

Persuasive writing

Oral advocacy

Indigent defense interest

Analytical thinking

Education

J.D. or equivalent

Job description

ABOUT THE INNOCENCE PROJECT

The Innocence Project works to free the innocent, prevent wrongful convictions, and create fair, compassionate, and equitable systems of justice for everyone. Our work is guided by science and grounded in anti-racism. Since our inception, the Innocence Project has used DNA and other scientific advancements to prove wrongful conviction. To date, we have helped to free or exonerate more than 250 people who, collaboratively, spent more than 3,600 years behind bars. Our efforts have led to the passage of more than 200 transformative state laws and federal reforms. Today, the Innocence Project continues to fight for freedom, drive structural change, and advance the innocence movement. To learn more, please visit www.innocenceproject.org.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Post-Conviction Litigation department of the Innocence Project works to exonerate wrongly convicted people nationwide based on evidence of actual innocence. The Post-Conviction Litigation Fellows are lawyers with exceptional advocacy skills, who are hard-working and who enthusiastically embrace the IP’s mission and program objectives.

The Post-Conviction Litigation Fellow position is a fully funded (inclusive of robust benefits) two-year fellowship.

The Post-Conviction Litigation Fellow will work directly with attorneys in the Post-Conviction Litigation Department to reinvestigate and litigate actual innocence claims. Most often, our cases involve claims based on ineffective assistance of counsel, prosecutorial misconduct, false evidence, incentivized testimony, and newly discovered evidence (ie. new DNA testing). Fellows will be involved in all aspects of the post-conviction innocence litigation, including fact-finding, working with a range of experts and investigators, and litigating in trial and appellate courts.

We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. However, we are not able to sponsor visas and we are not an e-verify employer.

The duties of this position require approximately 40 hours of work per week to be performed virtually/in-office, plus evening and weekend work as needed. Routine travel to visit clients, investigate cases, and appear in court as expected is also required. We currently have a hybrid in-office model, with all employees in the office three days per week and the remainder of the week remotely. Wednesday is our organization’s “anchor day” where all staff works in the office. The number of required in-office days is subject to change.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate should have a passion for the work of the Innocence Project, criminal legal reform and social justice. They will also possess excellent analytical and research skills, demonstrating the ability to navigate complex legal issues and provide innovative solutions. Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, are essential for effectively collaborating with colleagues and clients.

In addition, the ideal candidate models our IP Values of accountability, collaboration, empathy + compassion, equity, person-centeredness, quality focus, and self-awareness. All Innocence Project employees must embrace, respect and value the rich diversity of perspectives and lived experience of our staff. We recognize and appreciate that our work is better for having varied participants and thought partners. The ideal candidate is someone who thrives in this type of environment.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Assist in drafting litigation strategy
• Assist in post-conviction factual re-investigations
• Write motions & briefs in connection with client representation, including motions for access to DNA testing and motions for relief from conviction
• Conduct legal research
• Communicate with clients and family members regarding cases
• Prepare for and participate in evidentiary hearings

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Graduation from an accredited law school prior to start date (September 2027)
• Either: (i) admitted to a state bar; (ii) awaiting bar exam results or admission to a state bar; or (iii) prepared to sit for next scheduled state bar examination
• Demonstrated interest in indigent defense, racial justice, and innocence work
• Strong legal research and persuasive writing skills
• Strong oral advocacy skills
• Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.

KEY COMPETENCIES + VALUES

• Client-centered approach to legal representation
• Ability to both work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment
• Excellent analytic and writing skills, and ability to construct cogent arguments
• Great interpersonal and verbal communication skills
• Commitment to diversity within the office using a personal approach that values all individuals and respects differences in regards to race, ethnicity, age, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, religion, disability and socio-economic circumstance
• Enthusiasm for the work of the Innocence Project and for social justice, including a demonstrated commitment to public interest
• Shared commitment to the IP’s values of accountability, collaboration, empathy + compassion, equity, person-centeredness, quality focus, and self-awareness

COMPENSATION, BENEFITS & PERKS

• The salary for this position is highly competitive, and the Innocence Project offers an excellent benefits package. Benefits include fully paid individual health, dental, and vision insurance; a Flexible Spending Account; a 401(k) plan with a 6% employer match; employer-paid short-term disability, long-term disability, Disability Benefits Law, and life insurance coverage; paid family and medical leave; adoption and fertility expense reimbursement; employer-paid transportation benefits; and access to an Employee Assistance Program.
• In addition to compensation and benefits, employees have access to professional growth opportunities, including our formal mentorship program, professional development funding, organization-wide trainings, and other learning and development resources.
• We also offer generous paid time off, including 22 vacation days annually, 12 sick days, and 15 paid holidays, giving employees the time and flexibility to recharge and care for themselves and their families.
• In addition, our organization is a qualifying employer under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program. Eligible employees may apply to have their federal student loans forgiven after meeting the program’s requirements.

WORKFORCE DIVERSITY AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

The Innocence Project considers the diversity of its workforce to be vital to our organization’s success in meeting its mission. We strongly encourage applicants from all cultures, races, educational backgrounds, life experiences, socio-economic classes, sexual orientations, age, gender, and physical abilities to apply. Individuals with personal connections to the criminal legal system are strongly encouraged to apply.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, it is our policy not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, familial status, marital status, predisposing genetic characteristics, actual or perceived domestic violence victim status, unemployment status, caregiver status, or any other category protected by law.

Upon submission of your application you will be requested to complete an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) survey. This survey is part of our commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. The information you provide is voluntary and confidential. Completing the survey helps us track our progress in creating a fair and equitable environment. This data is used for reporting purposes only. Please note, the identities presented in the survey reflect federal language required by law. The Innocence Project acknowledges that not all identities are included and any reference to gender explicitly refers to biological sex. We recognize these terms are limited and we strive to humanize our internal practices. Your completion of the survey is greatly appreciated.

SALARY RANGE

$93,000+ annually. Salary commensurate with experience