Pa. IP Mission: The Pennsylvania Innocence Project is a public interest law firm organized as a
non-profit corporation. We are dedicated to exonerating those who have been convicted of
crimes they did not commit, and preventing innocent people from being convicted.
Position Overview: The Staff Attorney will work with, and be supervised by, the Executive
Director, Legal Director, and Managing Attorney of the Project’s Pittsburgh Office
(“Supervisors”). The Staff Attorney will take part in the investigation and litigation of cases at
the trial and appellate levels. The Staff Attorney will assist his/her Supervisors with supervision
of law students enrolled in clinical programs with the Pennsylvania Innocence Project. Some
travel and evening and weekend work is required. The Staff Attorney will be based in the
Philadelphia office, but will support case work throughout Pennsylvania. The position will be
available in August/September 2018.
Specific Responsibilities:
1. Litigation, Investigation, and Case Load: Identify, locate, and interview witnesses;
draft and file briefs; communicate with co-counsel; attend court appearances; and visit
clients in prison. Some travel is required (between two to ten days per month, usually
non-consecutive).
2. Volunteer Management and Supervision: Take responsibility for managing volunteer
schedules, training volunteer lawyers and law students, answering questions from
volunteers, and reviewing volunteer work product.
3. Case Review and Development: Review and track cases as they proceed through the
Project’s assessment process.
4. Law School Internship/Clinical Involvement: Assist Supervisors in supervising interns,
including coordinating their schedules and caseloads and reviewing summer internship
applications.
5. Public Education: Put together and present continuing legal education programs on
topics related to wrongful convictions.
Successful candidates will have a minimum 2 years’ legal experience, but
between 5-7 years of experience is preferred. Candidates should have a background in criminal
law and/or complex civil litigation; appellate experience is a plus. Candidates with a civil
litigation background will preferably have experience working with incarcerated individuals and
with conducting witness interviews. Pennsylvania bar membership in good standing is required.
Interested applicants should send a cover letter and resumé to Marissa Bluestine’s
attention by electronic mail – [email protected].