Paralegal, Post-Conviction Litigation (PCL Clinic)
Innocence Project, New York, NY, United States
ABOUT THE POSITION
Post-Conviction Litigation ("PCL") Paralegals provide research assistance, drafting, and administrative support to attorneys pursuing one of the Innocence Project's core goals—freeing the innocent.
PCL Paralegals are also responsible for general case management, records and data management, responding to time-sensitive litigation requests, and assisting with organization and maintenance of various department resources.
Beyond traditional paralegal tasks such as document management, preparation, and filing, PCL Paralegals engage in decisions that require out-of-the-box thinking and good judgment. They collaborate with attorneys on engaging and communicating with clients, conducting investigations, and working with other IP Departments, such as Communications.
This role, the Paralegal, Post-conviction Litigation (PCL Clinic), reports to one PCL attorney and supports the year-long legal clinic and summer legal internship. The paralegal works collaboratively with all PCL Department staff and law clinic students, and may supervise and train interns, students and volunteers.
The duties of this position require approximately 40 hours per week, performed virtually or in-office. The organization has a hybrid model, with all employees in the office three days per week and the remainder of the week remotely.
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 are not an e-verify employer.
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
The Innocence Project seeks an energetic self-starter who is highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to handle tight deadlines and unpredictable priorities. The ideal candidate is persistent, thrives under pressure, has excellent written and verbal communication skills, and is enthusiastic about working directly with law students and supporting legal education.
Most importantly, they are passionate about social justice and the work and mission of the Innocence Project, and share our values of accountability, collaboration, empathy, equity, person‑centeredness, quality focus, and self‑awareness.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
ASSISTING IN CASE MANAGEMENT AND LITIGATION STRATEGY
Maintain up-to-date electronic records on our case management system and paper file’s docket sheets
Communicate daily with incarcerated clients and their family members
Assist with evidence searches, discovery requests and responses, and preparing public records requests
Review and accurately synthesize factual background of cases, including police reports, lab reports, prior motions, trial transcripts, and case files
Develop a working knowledge of DNA testing
Write memos about discrete fact-based questions, such as whether case facts support an exoneration theory or potential testing history
Assist in drafting materials to support litigation strategy—cover letters, press statements, consent letters, and motions for DNA testing
Prepare court documents for filing, including editing and proofreading vacatur and post‑conviction relief motions, reviewing citation format for compliance with the Bluebook; copying, collating, binding documents, preparing tables of contents and authorities, and summarizing court rules
Conduct legal research using online databases such as Westlaw or Lexis
Liaise with forensic laboratories, experts, and prisons
Write and compile parole packets and clemency letters, and gather letters of support from clients’ family members, friends, and community members
Work with PCL attorneys and the Social Work team to support clients’ re‑entry
NYU SCHOOL OF LAW CLINIC
Assist in running a year‑long legal clinic with students from NYU School of Law
Revise annual syllabus; organize and lead trainings in partnership with the clinic supervisor
Identify and schedule new guest speakers
Submit reimbursements for clinic expenses; organize clinic-wide events
Communicate with students on project deadlines, seminar readings, and office-related events
SUMMER PCL LEGAL INTERNSHIP
Assist in running the 10‑week PCL summer internship with law students from across the country
Revise and refresh summer training schedule; organize and lead trainings in partnership with the clinic supervisor; identify and schedule guest speakers
Submit reimbursements for internship expenses; organize clinic-wide events
Communicate with students on project deadlines, readings, and office-related events
ADDITIONAL DEPARTMENTAL DUTIES
Arrange for litigation-related travel and reimbursement
Scan and copy documents and prepare hard‑copy resources such as binders
Travel to meet with incarcerated clients and attend and prepare for parole hearings, evidentiary hearings, retrials, and exonerations
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
Bachelor’s degree or Paralegal Certificate plus one year of professional work experience, or the equivalent level of prior legal experience (5 years)
Competency with Microsoft Office, Google Suite, Adobe Acrobat, and in-depth internet research
Demonstrated ability to learn to use new technological tools
Strong writing and critical‑thinking skills
Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.
KEY COMPETENCIES + VALUES
Proven experience in problem resolution and perseverance in getting a task completed
Energetic self‑starter who is highly organized, persistent, and detail‑oriented
Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously, be flexible, prioritize, and manage workload to meet tight deadlines
Thrives in moments of unpredictability, is flexible, and performs well under pressure
Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills
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, 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, including fully‑paid individual health, dental and vision insurance, a Flexible Spending Account, a 401k plan with 6% company‑match, paid disability and family care leave, adoption and fertility expense reimbursements, and company‑paid transportation benefits.
WORKFORCE DIVERSITY AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
The Innocence Project considers the diversity of its workforce essential to our mission. We strongly encourage applicants from all cultures, races, educational backgrounds, life experiences, socioeconomic classes, sexual orientations, ages, genders, and physical abilities to apply. Individuals with personal connections to the criminal legal system are especially encouraged.
As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, familial status, marital status, genetic characteristics, domestic‑violence victim status, unemployment status, caregiver status, or any other protected category.
SALARY RANGE
$33.85 – $38.46 per hour (equivalent to $70,400 – $80,000 annually). Salary commensurate with experience. This position is overtime eligible.
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Post-Conviction Litigation ("PCL") Paralegals provide research assistance, drafting, and administrative support to attorneys pursuing one of the Innocence Project's core goals—freeing the innocent.
PCL Paralegals are also responsible for general case management, records and data management, responding to time-sensitive litigation requests, and assisting with organization and maintenance of various department resources.
Beyond traditional paralegal tasks such as document management, preparation, and filing, PCL Paralegals engage in decisions that require out-of-the-box thinking and good judgment. They collaborate with attorneys on engaging and communicating with clients, conducting investigations, and working with other IP Departments, such as Communications.
This role, the Paralegal, Post-conviction Litigation (PCL Clinic), reports to one PCL attorney and supports the year-long legal clinic and summer legal internship. The paralegal works collaboratively with all PCL Department staff and law clinic students, and may supervise and train interns, students and volunteers.
The duties of this position require approximately 40 hours per week, performed virtually or in-office. The organization has a hybrid model, with all employees in the office three days per week and the remainder of the week remotely.
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 are not an e-verify employer.
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
The Innocence Project seeks an energetic self-starter who is highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to handle tight deadlines and unpredictable priorities. The ideal candidate is persistent, thrives under pressure, has excellent written and verbal communication skills, and is enthusiastic about working directly with law students and supporting legal education.
Most importantly, they are passionate about social justice and the work and mission of the Innocence Project, and share our values of accountability, collaboration, empathy, equity, person‑centeredness, quality focus, and self‑awareness.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
ASSISTING IN CASE MANAGEMENT AND LITIGATION STRATEGY
Maintain up-to-date electronic records on our case management system and paper file’s docket sheets
Communicate daily with incarcerated clients and their family members
Assist with evidence searches, discovery requests and responses, and preparing public records requests
Review and accurately synthesize factual background of cases, including police reports, lab reports, prior motions, trial transcripts, and case files
Develop a working knowledge of DNA testing
Write memos about discrete fact-based questions, such as whether case facts support an exoneration theory or potential testing history
Assist in drafting materials to support litigation strategy—cover letters, press statements, consent letters, and motions for DNA testing
Prepare court documents for filing, including editing and proofreading vacatur and post‑conviction relief motions, reviewing citation format for compliance with the Bluebook; copying, collating, binding documents, preparing tables of contents and authorities, and summarizing court rules
Conduct legal research using online databases such as Westlaw or Lexis
Liaise with forensic laboratories, experts, and prisons
Write and compile parole packets and clemency letters, and gather letters of support from clients’ family members, friends, and community members
Work with PCL attorneys and the Social Work team to support clients’ re‑entry
NYU SCHOOL OF LAW CLINIC
Assist in running a year‑long legal clinic with students from NYU School of Law
Revise annual syllabus; organize and lead trainings in partnership with the clinic supervisor
Identify and schedule new guest speakers
Submit reimbursements for clinic expenses; organize clinic-wide events
Communicate with students on project deadlines, seminar readings, and office-related events
SUMMER PCL LEGAL INTERNSHIP
Assist in running the 10‑week PCL summer internship with law students from across the country
Revise and refresh summer training schedule; organize and lead trainings in partnership with the clinic supervisor; identify and schedule guest speakers
Submit reimbursements for internship expenses; organize clinic-wide events
Communicate with students on project deadlines, readings, and office-related events
ADDITIONAL DEPARTMENTAL DUTIES
Arrange for litigation-related travel and reimbursement
Scan and copy documents and prepare hard‑copy resources such as binders
Travel to meet with incarcerated clients and attend and prepare for parole hearings, evidentiary hearings, retrials, and exonerations
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
Bachelor’s degree or Paralegal Certificate plus one year of professional work experience, or the equivalent level of prior legal experience (5 years)
Competency with Microsoft Office, Google Suite, Adobe Acrobat, and in-depth internet research
Demonstrated ability to learn to use new technological tools
Strong writing and critical‑thinking skills
Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.
KEY COMPETENCIES + VALUES
Proven experience in problem resolution and perseverance in getting a task completed
Energetic self‑starter who is highly organized, persistent, and detail‑oriented
Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously, be flexible, prioritize, and manage workload to meet tight deadlines
Thrives in moments of unpredictability, is flexible, and performs well under pressure
Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills
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, 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, including fully‑paid individual health, dental and vision insurance, a Flexible Spending Account, a 401k plan with 6% company‑match, paid disability and family care leave, adoption and fertility expense reimbursements, and company‑paid transportation benefits.
WORKFORCE DIVERSITY AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
The Innocence Project considers the diversity of its workforce essential to our mission. We strongly encourage applicants from all cultures, races, educational backgrounds, life experiences, socioeconomic classes, sexual orientations, ages, genders, and physical abilities to apply. Individuals with personal connections to the criminal legal system are especially encouraged.
As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, familial status, marital status, genetic characteristics, domestic‑violence victim status, unemployment status, caregiver status, or any other protected category.
SALARY RANGE
$33.85 – $38.46 per hour (equivalent to $70,400 – $80,000 annually). Salary commensurate with experience. This position is overtime eligible.
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