ABOUT THE INNOCENCE PROJECT
The Innocence Project was founded in 1992 by Barry C. Scheck and Peter J. Neufeld at the Benjamin N.
Cardozo School of Law at Yeshiva University to assist the wrongly convicted who could be proven innocent
through DNA testing. The Innocence Project’s groundbreaking use of DNA technology to free innocent
people has provided irrefutable proof that wrongful convictions are not isolated or rare events but instead
arise from systemic defects. Now an independent nonprofit organization closely affiliated with Cardozo
School of Law at Yeshiva University, the Innocence Project’s mission is to free the staggering numbers of
innocent people who remain incarcerated and to bring substantive reform to the system responsible for
their unjust imprisonment.

ABOUT THE POSITION
The Post-Conviction Litigation department of the Innocence Project - which works to exonerate wrongly
convicted people nationwide based on evidence of actual innocence - seeks to hire two Staff Attorneys
(with mid-level or more seasoned experience) to join our team.
Staff Attorneys reinvestigate actual innocence, working with a wide range of forensic and other experts
and investigators, in cases that mostly involve life sentences (although a small portion of our docket
includes death penalty cases). Staff Attorneys litigate at trial and appellate levels, in state and federal
courts around the country. Most often, our cases involve claims based on ineffective assistance of counsel,
prosecutorial misconduct, false evidence, incentivized testimony, and newly discovered evidence. Our
representation is client-centered.

Staff Attorneys are also clinical law teachers, serving as Adjunct Professors at Cardozo School of Law. In
this capacity, Staff Attorneys train and supervise law students in the Innocence Project’s year-long legal
clinic and co-teaching seminars.

Staff Attorneys work under the supervision of the Director of Post-Conviction Litigation and supervise a
paralegal as well as two to three clinic students.

Staff Attorney positions require 40 hours of in-office work per week (remote working is currently
supported, consistent with pandemic-related social distancing precautions), plus evening and weekend
work as needed. Routine travel to visit clients, investigate cases, and appear in court is expected
(although, again, given pandemic related concerns, travel is not currently required).
All Innocence Project employees must embrace, respect and value the rich diversity of perspectives and
experience of a diverse and heterogeneous staff. We recognize and appreciate that our work is better for
having varied participants and thought partners.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
Candidates for a Staff Attorney position must possess superlative legal writing and research skills. Our
docket is dynamic and requires extensive motions practice, as well as appellate briefing. Candidates must
also have strong advocacy skills and be well equipped, for example, to handle court appearances for
everything from evidentiary hearings to oral arguments.
In addition, Staff Attorneys must possess strong interpersonal and communication skills, enthusiasm for

working collaboratively, and must embrace the Innocence Project’s mission to not only correct individual
miscarriages of justice, but to also expose and reform the systemic dysfunctions of the criminal legal
system—including resource disparities, racial bias, and police and prosecutorial misconduct. Beyond
litigating cases on behalf of individual clients, Staff Attorneys also support the Innocence Project’s
initiatives to improve the criminal legal system through policy and litigation; engage in public education
regarding wrongful conviction; write amicus curie briefs; and act as a resource and support for attorneys
nationwide who likewise challenge the inequities of our criminal legal system.
ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage docket of individuals seeking relief from wrongful conviction
• Craft litigation strategy
• Lead litigation teams, including with pro-bono partners, local counsel, and law students
• Direct factual post-conviction re-investigations
• Author motions & briefs in connection with client representation, as well as amicus curie briefs
• Conduct evidentiary hearings
• Represent clients facing retrial after vacatur of conviction
• Conduct oral argument before trial and appellate courts
• Co-teach the Innocence Project legal clinic and supervise law students
• Supervise paralegals
• Work with social workers, and assist with post-release planning for exonerated clients

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• We are hiring for two Staff Attorney positions:
  • 4+ years of litigation experience on behalf of indigent defendants or others accused/convicted of crimes (strong preference for post-conviction, habeas corpus, and/or federal civil rights litigation, and experience in conducting post-conviction factual re-investigations); OR
  • 8+ years litigation experience on behalf of indigent defendants or others accused/convicted of crimes (post-conviction, habeas corpus, and/or federal civil rights litigation, and experience in conducting post-conviction factual re-investigations
• Working knowledge of DNA and/or other forensic disciplines preferred
• Interest in legal education and teaching
• A demonstrated and abiding commitment to social justice
• Bilingual (Spanish) is a plus

KEY COMPETENCIES

• Strong research, writing, and analytic skills
• Strong advocacy skills
• Experience with complex records and presenting compelling, fact-driven narratives
• Client-centered approach to legal representation and demonstrated commitment to indigent defense and working to change the criminal legal system
• Hard-working, ability to work independently at the same time as being collaborative
• Excellent interpersonal and verbal communication skills
• Interest in working with diverse range of people
• Ability to assess work of students and paralegals, and constructively supervise their work
• Must be able to work with groups of diverse individuals in respectful, equitable, and inclusive ways.
• Enthusiasm for the work of the Innocence Project and for social justice, including a demonstrated commitment to public interest
• Shares values of equity, excellence, collaboration, humanity, integrity, respect, and accountability

COMPENSATION, BENEFITS; PERKS
The salary for this position is highly competitive and the Innocence Project offers an excellent benefits
package, including health, dental and vision insurance, Flexible Spending Account, 401k plan with company-
match. While the office is currently remote in consideration of the ongoing pandemic, once commuting
into the office (located in downtown Manhattan, New York) becomes again viable we will also offer
company-paid transportation benefits.

WORKFORCE DIVERSITY AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT
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.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
To apply, please visit Paycom. Upload a cover letter expressing your interest in the role and the
organization’s work, and a resume titled with your name (last name. first name. cover letter/resume). Only
applications with cover letters will be considered complete applications. Information submitted through
this secure site is kept confidential. Due to the large volume of applications, we are unable to give applicant
updates by phone or direct email.

**Applications for this position will be considered on a rolling basis until the post is filled.**