Post-Conviction Litigation Fellow

The Innocence Project works to free the innocent, prevent wrongful convictions, and create fair, compassionate, and equitable systems of justice for everyone. Our work is guided by science and grounded in anti-racism. Since our inception, the Innocence Project has used DNA and other scientific advancements to prove wrongful conviction. To date, we have helped to free or exonerate more than 250 people who, collectively, spent more than 3,600 years behind bars.

Our efforts have led to the passage of more than 200 transformative state laws and federal reforms. Today, the Innocence Project continues to fight for freedom, drive structural change, and advance the innocence movement. To learn more, please visit www.innocence project.org.

The Post-Conviction Litigation department of the Innocence Project works to exonerate wrongly convicted people nationwide based on evidence of actual innocence. The Post-Conviction Litigation Fellows are lawyers with exceptional advocacy skills, who are hard-working and who enthusiastically embrace the IP's mission and program objectives.

The Post-Conviction Litigation Fellow position is a fully funded (inclusive of robust benefits) two-year fellowship.

The Post-Conviction Litigation Fellow will work directly with attorneys in the Post-Conviction Litigation Department to reinvestigate and litigate actual innocence claims. Most often, our cases involve claims based on ineffective assistance of counsel, prosecutorial misconduct, false evidence, incentivized testimony, and newly discovered evidence (ie. new DNA testing). Fellows will be involved in all aspects of the post-conviction innocence litigation, including fact-finding, working with a range of experts and investigators, and litigating in trial and appellate courts.

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 we are not an e-verify employer.

The duties of this position require approximately 40 hours of work per week to be performed virtually/in-office, plus evening and weekend work as needed. Routine travel to visit clients, investigate cases, and appear in court as expected is also required. We currently have a hybrid in-office model, with all employees in the office three days per week and the remainder of the week remotely.

Wednesday is our organization's "anchor day" where all staff works in the office. The number of required in-office days is subject to change.

The ideal candidate should have a passion for the work of the Innocence Project, criminal legal reform and social justice. They will also possess excellent analytical and research skills, demonstrating the ability to navigate complex legal issues and provide innovative solutions. Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, are essential for effectively collaborating with colleagues and clients.

In addition, the ideal candidate models our IP's Values of accountability, collaboration, empathy + compassion, equity, person-centeredness, quality focus, and self-awareness. All Innocence Project employees must embrace, respect and value the rich diversity of perspectives and lived experience of our staff. We recognize and appreciate that our work is better for having varied participants and thought partners. The ideal candidate is someone who thrives in this type of environment.

• Assist in drafting litigation strategy
• Assist in post-conviction factual re-investigations
• Write motions & briefs in connection with client representation, including motions for access to DNA testing and motions for relief from conviction
• Conduct legal research
• Communicate with clients and family members regarding cases
• Prepare for and participate in evidentiary hearings

• Graduation from an accredited law school prior to start date (September 2027)
• Either: (i) admitted to a state bar; (ii) awaiting bar exam results or admission to a state bar; or (iii) prepared to sit for next scheduled state bar examination
• Demonstrated interest in indigent defense, racial justice, and innocence work
• Strong legal research and persuasive writing skills
• Strong oral advocacy skills
• Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.

• Client-centered approach to legal representation
• Ability to both work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment
• Excellent analytic and writing skills, and ability…