Staff & Intake Attorney, Illinois Innocence Project, CSPL

UIS Observer; Springfield (IL); On-site; USD 72,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

Staff & Intake Attorney with the Illinois Innocence Project at UIS in Springfield, IL. Reporting to the Legal Director, you will oversee intake, supervise students, and handle case investigations and litigation for IIP clients.

Requires Illinois license and interest in criminal/post-conviction work, with up to 50% travel within Illinois and occasional out-of-state travel. Benefits eligible; remote work may be possible under health guidelines.

Qualifications

• Licensed to practice law in Illinois.
• Experience or strong interest in wrongful convictions, post-conviction law, and criminal law.
• Experience evaluating claims for assistance with indigent and incarcerated clients.
• Experience working with undergraduate and law student teams.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the IIP case intake team and referral of promising cases to evaluation.
• Assist legal team with case investigations, interviews, and document analysis.
• Draft motions and legal documents; appear in court on behalf of clients.
• Participate in case reviews, student supervision, and case closings.
• Make public presentations and manage grant-related data.

Skills

Wrongful conviction law

Education

Licensed to practice law in Illinois

Job description

Staff & Intake Attorney, Illinois Innocence Project, CSPL

Staff & Intake Attorney, Illinois Innocence Project, CSPL

Posting Category:E

About UIS: Located in the state capital, the University of Illinois Springfield is one of three members of the University of Illinois system. The University serves more than 4,000 students in 44 graduate and 56 undergraduate programs. You are encouraged to visit the university web page at http://www.uis.edu .

Minimum Starting Salary: $80,000 annually

Summary:
Reporting to the Legal Director of the Illinois Innocence Project, the Staff & Intake Attorney will oversee the IIP case intake team and process and provide direct case representation, including overseeing file and case reviews, investigations, expert analysis, and litigation on behalf of IIP clients. This position is based in Springfield, IL.
Duties & Responsibilities:

• Oversee the IIP case intake team and the referral of promising cases to the evaluation team; in collaboration with IIP staff, audit current case evaluation processes; oversee the development and implementation of new and/or revised processes to improve the evaluation of and response to applications for assistance according to IIP case acceptance standards.
• Assist the legal team in the management of case investigative efforts, including following up on case reviews and selection; interviewing and visiting inmates and witnesses; retrieving and analyzing pertinent case information; and working with and reviewing the work product of student interns.
• Take necessary legal actions on behalf of clients, such as the drafting of motions and other legal documents to be submitted to the court and appearing in court on behalf of clients.
• Participate in case review and case selection with IIP staff and student interns. Present case closings to IIP Legal Director.
• Make public and private presentations about the work of the Illinois Innocence Project.
• Manage intake and case data for purposes of fulfilling grant reporting requirements and other measurable goals.

Minimum Qualifications:
Licensed to practice law in the state of Illinois.
Experience in or demonstrated knowledge and interest in wrongful convictions, post-conviction law, and/or criminal law.
Experience evaluating claims for assistance and/or communication with indigent and incarcerated clients.
Experience working on teams specifically involving undergraduate and/or law students.

Preferred Qualifications:
Litigation experience in post-conviction and/or criminal defense.
Prior experience representing wrongfully convicted individuals or other marginalized communities.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
Understanding of and commitment to the mission and programs of the Illinois Innocence Project and to issues of criminal justice.
Ability to participate productively on multidisciplinary project teams made up of faculty, staff, undergraduate and law students, attorneys, investigators, experts, law enforcement, and prosecutors Strong interpersonal skills and evidence of ability to deal with external constituencies Excellent verbal and written communication skills Ability and willingness to travel (with a valid driver's license) frequently within Illinois and occasionally out of state. Regular travel around the state is required. Ability to work efficiently from a remote location as dictated by health or other requirements, and/or for part of the week

Physical Demands:

• Sitting : Frequently
• Talking : Frequently
• Hearing : Frequently

Working Conditions:

• Atmospheric Conditions : Occasionally

Travel Requirements:
50% Regular travel within Illinois is required. Must possess a valid driver's license.

Employment Policies and other information:

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer dedicated to building a community of excellence, equity, and diversity. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment and we welcome applications from qualified individuals of all backgrounds and identities. The University of Illinois System does not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on their real or perceived race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, order of protection status, genetic information, marital status, disability, sexual orientation including gender identity, unfavorable discharge from the military or status as a protected veteran and will comply with all federal and state nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action laws, orders and regulations. Visit University of Illinois Non-Discrimination Statement

The University of Illinois System conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer of employment. Convictions are not a bar to employment. Background checks will be performed in compliance with state and federal law.

The University of Illinois System requires candidates selected for hire to disclose any documented finding of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment and to authorize inquiries to current and former employers regarding findings of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment. For more information, visit Policy on Consideration of Sexual Misconduct in Prior Employment .

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits . This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

UIS employment in this role is not covered by Social Security, and instead, is covered by the State University Retirement System.

• You will not pay Social Security taxes and your earning will not be on your Social Security Record. (Your record will, however, show your Medicare wages.
• Your pension from the State Universities Retirement System may affect the amount of your:

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Requests may be submitted by contacting UIS HR at [e-mail] or call 217-206-6652.

Please Note: All postings close at 5:00pm CST on the posting close date.

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The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, COVID-19 vaccination requirement, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

University of Illinois at Springfield Annual Security and Fire Safety Report
The University of Illinois Springfield Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available. This report includes statistics from the previous three years concerning reported crime that occurred on campus, in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by the University of Illinois Springfield campus and statistics for fires in on-campus student housing. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security and other safety information along with fire safety policies and procedures. To access the report online: http://www.uis.edu/about/overview/safety/

To obtain a hard copy: University Police Department, University of Illinois Springfield, One University Plaza, MS PDB1, Springfield, IL 62703-5407

University of Illinois at Springfield . One University Plaza . MS HRB30 . Springfield, Illinois 62703 . 217-206-6652. www.uis.edu/humanresources