, Post-Conviction Litigation Unit Prosecutor

Office of the State's Attorney for Baltimore City; Baltimore (MD); Hybrid; USD 81,097 - 129,584; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance options

Vision insurance

Dental insurance

Life insurance

Vacation and sick leave

Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility

Job summary

The Office of the State's Attorney for Baltimore City is seeking an Assistant State’s Attorney for the new Post‑Conviction Litigation Unit. This role involves defending against collateral post‑conviction claims, collaborating with stakeholders, and conducting thorough legal analyses.

The candidate must possess a juris doctor degree and be licensed in Maryland, with strong legal writing and research skills. The position offers a salary range of $81,097 to $129,584, commensurate with experience, and includes comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Must be licensed to practice law in the State of Maryland.
• Prior criminal appellate and/or trial experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conduct thorough reviews of trial evidence, files, transcripts, and other records.
• Research relevant case law and draft substantive written responses to petitions.
• Attend PCLU staff meetings and collaborate with stakeholders.

Skills

Legal writing

Legal research

Critical thinking

Detail-oriented

Collaboration

Education

Juris Doctor degree

Job description

The Office is seeking an Assistant State’s Attorney to work in the newly formed Post‑Conviction Litigation Unit at 120 E. Baltimore Street. The Post‑Conviction Litigation Unit defends convictions against collateral post‑conviction claims brought by incarcerated defendants under the Uniform Post‑Conviction Procedure Act.

Job Description

The Post‑Conviction Litigation Unit (PCLU) defends convictions against collateral post‑conviction claims brought by incarcerated defendants under the Uniform Post‑Conviction Procedure Act. The PCLU is unique within the Office because it does not involve trial work or routine court appearances. Instead, the PCLU conducts thoughtful analyses of criminal convictions obtained by trial prosecutors, mostly trials for major felonies such as sex crimes and homicides, and then defends these convictions in post‑conviction hearings in the Baltimore City courts. This is a non‑supervisory position. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Conducting thorough reviews of trial evidence, files, transcripts, and other records.
• Interviewing police, attorney, and civilian witnesses.
• Researching relevant case law.
• Drafting lengthy, substantive written responses to post‑conviction petitions.
• Questioning witnesses and arguing points of fact and law in evidentiary hearings.
• Attending regular PCLU staff meetings.
• Collaborating with many stakeholders, including executive staff, trial prosecutors, defense attorneys, witnesses, victims, and victims’ families to ensure that justice persists after the Office obtains a conviction.

Requirements

Candidate must possess a juris doctor degree and be licensed to practice law in the State of Maryland. The ideal candidate will have strong legal writing, research, and critical thinking skills and be detail‑oriented, thorough, collaborative, and fair‑minded. Prior criminal appellate and/or criminal jury trial experience is preferred but not required.

These are full‑time positions with an option for scheduled work‑from‑home days. This position is a local government public service position which may qualify for Federal Student Aid Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

Salary Range

$81,097.00 – $129,584 commensurate with experience.

Comprehensive Benefits Package

Full range of health insurance provider options, vision insurance, dental insurance, deferred compensation option, life insurance, 10+ paid holidays per year, vacation leave, sick leave, and personal leave. The selected candidates will be required to submit to criminal background checks before starting employment.