Innocence Project NW Staff Attorney - DNA Fellow.pdf

INNOCENCE PROJECT NW STAFF ATTORNEY - DNA FELLOW Req #: 142156 Department: SCHOOL OF LAW Job Seattle Campus Location: Posting Date: 02/14/2017 Closing Info: Open Until Filled Salary: Salary is commensurate with experience and education. Notes: As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For detailed information on Benefits for this position, click here. The University of Washington (UW) is proud to be one of the nation’s premier educational and research institutions. Our people are the most important asset in our pursuit of achieving excellence in education, research, and community service. Our staff not only enjoys outstanding benefits and professional growth opportunities, but also an environment noted for diversity, community involvement, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits, and natural beauty. Founded in 1899, the University of Washington School of Law is one of the nation’s top public law schools; it also enjoys strong private support for leading programs in Asian Law, Global Health, Law & Technology, Tax, and Environmental Law. Located in William H. Gates Hall, a new state-of-the-art facility in vibrant Seattle, the School of Law is also home to the Gates Public Service Scholars program and the Barer Institute for Law and Global Human Services. Innocence Project Northwest (IPNW), founded in 1997 at the University of Washington School of Law, works to exonerate the innocent, remedy the causes of wrongful conviction, and offer law students an outstanding education. IPNW seeks a staff attorney to serve as our DNA fellow. The position reports to the IPNW Executive Director. The fellow will manage an active caseload of post-conviction DNA cases and implement federal grant initiatives to expand access to post-conviction DNA testing. IPNW is committed to inclusive hiring, and dedicated to diversity in our work and staff. We strongly encourage people from all groups and communities to apply. This position requires knowledge of legal motions practice in Washington courts and the application of forensic DNA evidence in criminal cases. The DNA fellow will interface with DNA experts, conduct outreach and training for volunteer attorneys, and coordinate with pro bono partners in efforts to seek DNA testing for qualified prisoners. The position requires excellent analytic and research skills, the ability to effectively advocate in oral and written communications, competence in effectively working with diverse communities, and ability to effectively manage projects and work independently and professionally under the pressure of frequent deadlines. The DNA Fellow is integral to providing continuity of representation for IPNW clients and summer coverage for IPNW DNA cases handled by clinic students and faculty. The position supports program objectives by providing case assistance to IPNW staff attorneys, faculty, and students; acting as lead or co-counsel with pro bono partners to expand access to post-conviction DNA testing to more clients; and serving the community by improving the truth-seeking mission of Washington’s criminal justice system. RESPONSIBILITIES: Legal Services  Work with IPNW staff to conduct case evaluation and review;  Represent prisoners across the state in efforts to obtain DNA testing including researching, writing and litigating motions for post-conviction DNA testing;  Prepare cases to place and/or co-counsel with community partners;

 Serve as resource to IPNW clinical faculty, legal staff, students and interns;  Assist with summer coverage for IPNW’s DNA clinic cases;  Travel to conduct prison visits, court hearings, or to coordinate with pro bono partners. Grant Program Initiative Duties  Support IPNW engagement in prisons, as well as legal and non-legal communities to foster education and community awareness of innocence issues and IPNW services;  Execute federal grant projects by interfacing with grant partners, consultants and agencies;  Conduct outreach and training for pro bono lawyers. REQUIREMENTS:  Juris Doctorate degree  Admitted to Washington State Bar, or eligible for admission or reciprocity by March 2016  Excellent analytic, research and writing skills  Effective communicator  Experience researching, writing and arguing motions  1-2 years of experience in criminal defense, innocence or post-conviction work  Culturally competent and demonstrated ability to work with diverse communities  Requires computer experience including working with MS Office  Ability to work independently and professionally under the pressure of frequent deadlines in a fast-paced environment

Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration. DESIRED:    

Familiarity with forensic science and DNA evidence Experience with Washington’s post-conviction DNA testing statute & cases Experience with case management software Fluency in Spanish

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT: Appointment to this position is contingent upon obtaining satisfactory results from a criminal background check. Application Process: The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Criminal Conviction History, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed. The University of Washington is a leader in environmental stewardship & sustainability, and committed to becoming climate neutral. The University of Washington is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 / 206-543-6452 (tty) or [email protected].