INIP Legal Director
Indiana Innocence Project (INIP), Indianapolis, IN, United States
INIP Legal Director
The Indiana Innocence Project (INIP) invites applications for a full-time Legal Director.
About the Indiana Innocence Project Founded in 2024, the INIP is dedicated to identifying and rectifying wrongful convictions and other serious miscarriages of justice. INIP provides pro bono legal guidance and representation to individuals who have been wrongfully convicted in Indiana, educates the public about wrongful convictions, and works with wrongful conviction collaborators to better rules, laws, and practices to minimize wrongful convictions.
Role & Responsibilities This is a challenging and rewarding position focused on the goal of exonerating innocent people. INIP seeks a committed and experienced individual to lead INIP’s intake, case review, and litigation efforts.
The Legal Director will:
Partner with the Executive Director and Board of Directors toward INIP goals;
Engage in a supervisory role of leadership within INIP tied to all matters of intake, case representation, and litigation, including supervision of intake and litigation staff and attorneys;
Manage within the INIP matters of intake, file review, case review, investigations, interviewing, visiting incarcerated people, retrieving and analyzing pertinent case information, working with experts, and litigating on behalf of clients;
When appearing on behalf of clients, the Legal Director will develop case legal strategies and take necessary legal actions on behalf of clients, such as drafting motions and briefs, interfacing with prosecutors and judges, and appearing in state and federal district and appellate courts for evidentiary hearings, oral arguments, and other appearances;
Supervise INIP collaborations with the Indiana State Public Defender, wrongful conviction organizations, academic institutions, and private attorneys to assist with intake, case review, and client representation where necessary and/or desirable;
Travel as required for court appearances, depositions, meeting with clients and, when appropriate, donors;
Promote the work of INIP to the community.
Required Experience and Qualifications
J.D. degree from an ABA-accredited law school with ten (10) years professional experience;
Exceptional research, writing, and editing skills;
Experience in state and/or federal criminal law with felony cases (defense or prosecution);
Ability to collaborate, a commitment to creating a working environment that is inclusive, equitable, and welcoming, and a willingness to honor the diverse experiences and perspectives of INIP Board, employees, volunteers, and clients;
A commitment to working with incarcerated individuals;
Desire to engage in client-centered advocacy and lawyering, and a willingness to use the law creatively and strategically to seek criminal justice; and
Ultimately admission to the Indiana Bar.
Preferred Qualifications
Prior experience working within an innocence organization as staff, student, or volunteer, is helpful to demonstrate an interest in and commitment to issues of wrongful conviction;
Relevant litigation experience in post-conviction and wrongful conviction law.
Physical Demands
Sitting: Frequently
Talking: Frequently
Hearing: Frequently
Employment Policies and Information INIP is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer with a strong commitment to recruitment and retention of a diverse and inclusive community. 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.
Location Indianapolis, Indiana, with some flexibility for remote work possible.
Starting Salary $123,000
To Apply Applicants should submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae or resume, a list of three professional references, and a recent legal writing sample to: INIP Board of Directors, c/o Sara Beanblossom, sbeanblossom@indianainnocenceproject.org.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
About the Indiana Innocence Project Founded in 2024, the INIP is dedicated to identifying and rectifying wrongful convictions and other serious miscarriages of justice. INIP provides pro bono legal guidance and representation to individuals who have been wrongfully convicted in Indiana, educates the public about wrongful convictions, and works with wrongful conviction collaborators to better rules, laws, and practices to minimize wrongful convictions.
Role & Responsibilities This is a challenging and rewarding position focused on the goal of exonerating innocent people. INIP seeks a committed and experienced individual to lead INIP’s intake, case review, and litigation efforts.
The Legal Director will:
Partner with the Executive Director and Board of Directors toward INIP goals;
Engage in a supervisory role of leadership within INIP tied to all matters of intake, case representation, and litigation, including supervision of intake and litigation staff and attorneys;
Manage within the INIP matters of intake, file review, case review, investigations, interviewing, visiting incarcerated people, retrieving and analyzing pertinent case information, working with experts, and litigating on behalf of clients;
When appearing on behalf of clients, the Legal Director will develop case legal strategies and take necessary legal actions on behalf of clients, such as drafting motions and briefs, interfacing with prosecutors and judges, and appearing in state and federal district and appellate courts for evidentiary hearings, oral arguments, and other appearances;
Supervise INIP collaborations with the Indiana State Public Defender, wrongful conviction organizations, academic institutions, and private attorneys to assist with intake, case review, and client representation where necessary and/or desirable;
Travel as required for court appearances, depositions, meeting with clients and, when appropriate, donors;
Promote the work of INIP to the community.
Required Experience and Qualifications
J.D. degree from an ABA-accredited law school with ten (10) years professional experience;
Exceptional research, writing, and editing skills;
Experience in state and/or federal criminal law with felony cases (defense or prosecution);
Ability to collaborate, a commitment to creating a working environment that is inclusive, equitable, and welcoming, and a willingness to honor the diverse experiences and perspectives of INIP Board, employees, volunteers, and clients;
A commitment to working with incarcerated individuals;
Desire to engage in client-centered advocacy and lawyering, and a willingness to use the law creatively and strategically to seek criminal justice; and
Ultimately admission to the Indiana Bar.
Preferred Qualifications
Prior experience working within an innocence organization as staff, student, or volunteer, is helpful to demonstrate an interest in and commitment to issues of wrongful conviction;
Relevant litigation experience in post-conviction and wrongful conviction law.
Physical Demands
Sitting: Frequently
Talking: Frequently
Hearing: Frequently
Employment Policies and Information INIP is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer with a strong commitment to recruitment and retention of a diverse and inclusive community. 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.
Location Indianapolis, Indiana, with some flexibility for remote work possible.
Starting Salary $123,000
To Apply Applicants should submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae or resume, a list of three professional references, and a recent legal writing sample to: INIP Board of Directors, c/o Sara Beanblossom, sbeanblossom@indianainnocenceproject.org.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
#J-18808-Ljbffr