INNOCENCE PROJECT

The Innocence Project, founded in 1992 by Peter Neufeld and Barry Scheck at Cardozo School of Law, exonerates the wrongly convicted through DNA testing and reforms the criminal justice system to prevent future injustice. The Innocence Project’s mission is to free the staggering number of innocent people who remain incarcerated, and to bring reform to the system responsible for their unjust imprisonment.

Exoneration Innovator

NEW YORK, NY
Supervisor: Co-Directors of Post-Conviction Litigation Department


JOB DESCRIPTION

This position provides someone who is passionate about social justice and righting the most grievous wrongs of our criminal legal systems with an opportunity to support the Innocence Project’s efforts to free wrongfully convicted people across the country. The Exoneration Innovator will be responsible for supporting the Post-Conviction Litigation (PCL) Team with in-depth legal research and writing, preparation of resource guides, and assisting with data management. The Exoneration Innovator may also, where needed, assist with preparing motions and materials for court appearances. The work of the Exoneration Innovator will help ensure the organization’s efforts to rectify gross miscarriages of justice are robustly supported.

The Exoneration Innovator’s job duties will involve:

  • Comprehensive legal research projects, and written analysis, including in connection with complex procedural and constitutional questions.
  • Managing and producing work products that provide departmental support, including, for example, by managing departmental resources (such as a brief bank) and drafting written guidance materials for internal reference.
  • Assisting in data management.
  • In some instances, supporting client representation by assisting legal teams with court filings and materials for hearings, and engaging in client communication.

DESIRED SKILLS

  • Excellent research and analytical skills, and an ability to write clearly and persuasively.
  • Self-starting initiative, the ability to follow through on projects with keen attention to detail, and facility with prioritizing in a fast-paced, deadline oriented environment.
  • Proficiency with Excel/Google Sheets and PowerPoint/Google Slides will be helpful.
  • Innocence Project’s exoneration work is client-centered. Ideal candidates may be system-impacted and/or will likewise value the power and contributions of system-impacted persons.
  • Commitment to social and racial justice, and to the Innocence Project’s mission.

State Policy Innovator

NEW YORK, NY
Supervisor: Director of Policy


JOB DESCRIPTION

This position provides someone who is passionate about public policy and committed to social justice with an opportunity to support critical criminal legal reform efforts in state houses, executive agencies, and courts across the country. The State Policy Innovator will assist with the development of advocacy materials and with the translation of complicated legal issues so that relevant policy initiatives are messaged clearly and comprehensively across multiple audiences. The work of the State Policy Innovator will help ensure Policy Program materials are accurate, updated, and effective in policy campaigns.

The State Policy Innovator’s job duties will involve:

  • Comprehensive policy research projects.
  • Drafting clear and well-written briefing materials, and other supportive work product (such as fact sheets).
  • Policy campaign research support and analysis, including state-by-state comparisons of specific criminal justice laws and policies, and analysis of legislation, including legislative histories and fiscal notes.
  • Assistance with the preparation of substantive webinars or other presentations related to policy reform.

DESIRED SKILLS

  • Excellent written communication skills with the ability to engage multiple audiences involved in policy advocacy campaigns.
  • Strong interest in policy and legal analysis, with keen attention to detail
  • Ability to contextualize research and identify key information.
  • Proficiency with Excel/Google Sheets and PowerPoint/Google Slides, will be helpful.
  • Innocence Project’s advocacy work centers the experiences of wrongfully convicted people. Ideal candidates may be system-impacted and/or will likewise value the power and contributions of system-impacted persons.
  • Commitment to social and racial justice, and to the Innocence Project’s mission.

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