The Office of the Alternate Defense Counsel (OADC) seeks multiple Staff Attorneys, ranging in experience, for OADC’s new Postconviction Unit (PCU). These dedicated advocates will be committed to postconviction representation, holistic team-oriented defense, equity, diversity, inclusion, and social justice reform.
ABOUT OADC:
The OADC is the legislatively created state agency responsible for providing client services and legal representation for indigent individuals (adults and youth) when the state has charged them with a criminal or delinquent act, and the state public defender’s office has a conflict of interest. Traditionally, the OADC has accomplished this by contracting with over 400 private attorneys and another 500 legal service providers (forensic social workers/clinical advocates, paralegals, investigators, legal researchers, case assistants, etc.) to provide client services on an hourly basis. Our fundamental belief is that good holistic legal defense teams produce good results for our clients.
MISSION STATEMENT:
The mission of the OADC, through the practice of holistic public defense, is to help adults and children whom the government has charged with criminal and delinquent offenses. The OADC’s holistic practice model fosters ethical, informed, and standard-driven best practices in public defense. The OADC allocates resources in a manner intentionally designed to rebalance the disparate power wielded by the government in the criminal legal system. The OADC advocates for every client’s inherent worth and dignity by centering the client’s lived experiences and voice to achieve the best legal outcome.
The OADC is dedicated to zealous, client-centered advocacy rooted in social justice, integrity, and humility. We recognize that we are working within a broken and racist criminal legal system. Public defense advocates play an essential role in challenging bias and disparity within the courtroom, within our offices, and within ourselves. Statistical data and experiences support that there is a disparate presence of violent policing, over-charging, and harsher sentencing outcomes for Colorado’s people of color and other vulnerable populations. The OADC is unwavering in its support of decarceration, the decriminalization of youth, and equity within the criminal legal system.
OUR EDI VISION:
accelerate Equity, advance Diversity, amplify Inclusion – together
#SeeStriveTransformTogether
The OADC believes that transforming EDI work at this core level takes courage and intention. The work has progressed from the inside out - beginning first with building a team united in its understanding of and deep commitment to EDI and working to actualize this commitment through efforts to shape and refine our culture, spaces, and practices.
ABOUT THE JOB:
The PCU will provide direct representation to indigent criminal clients pursuing claims under Crim. P. Rule 35(c) and 35(a), where the OSPD has declared a conflict of interest. The unit will operate independently within the agency structure.
PCU Staff Attorneys will work on interdisciplinary teams representing clients across the State in postconviction matters. Essential job functions will include:
•Reviewing extensive trial and appellate records to identify avenues for additional investigation, constitutional violations, and ineffective representation;
•Leading an interdisciplinary team investigation regarding any fact and mitigation patterns that were previously missed or underdeveloped (which may include investigating the facts of the underlying offenses, the circumstances of the trial and sentencing proceedings, the client’s personal and family history, and any other relevant cultural and sociological factors impacting the client);
•Working with team members to identify, vet, and collaborate with experts in relevant fields, including forensics, mental health, trauma, legal standards of practice, and other specialized areas of expertise needed to assess both old and new avenues of argument in support of client’s case;
•Conducting and participating in case reviews and team meetings to ensure comprehensive legal representation;
•Researching and preparing pleadings, petitions, and briefs based on state and federal case law; and
•Litigating those claims in evidentiary hearings.
Our ideal candidates will be passionate about team-oriented, holistic indigent defense and zealous in their commitment to providing excellent postconviction representation to our clients.
There is a preference for individuals who have:
·A Colorado law license or eligibility for admission to the Colorado State Bar through comity or bar examination;
·Experience defending people accused or convicted of criminal offenses, and/or youth indigent defense experience;
·Knowledge of Colorado procedural and substantive criminal law;
·Strong analytical and reasoning skills;
·Proficiency in legal research, analysis, and case law review;
·Competency in identifying, developing, and litigating issues during each stage of the proceedings, often with an emphasis on changing the narrative previously presented at trial;
·Effective and persuasive communication skills – both written and verbal;
·Ability to develop a robust, cohesive defense strategy with an interdisciplinary team (including social workers, investigators, paralegals, and experts) and foster collaboration through constructive communication, mutual respect, and appreciation for team members’ different skills and expertise;
·Capacity to interact professionally with a wide range of parties, including judicial personnel and officials, law enforcement, prosecutors, clients’ former counsel, record custodians, prison officials, Conviction Integrity Units, and other stakeholders;
·Ability to develop trust and rapport with clients from a variety of different backgrounds, utilizing client-centered best practices in their defense; and
·Resilience and commitment to representing clients, convicted of serious felonies, through extended, challenging legal proceedings.
It is also helpful, but not necessary, to possess subject matter knowledge and expertise in:
·Ineffective assistance of counsel claims;
·DNA, other forensic evidence, and junk science frequently relied upon by the State;
·Developing investigative plans, interviewing witnesses, and obtaining records;
·Complex multi-year litigation criminal cases; and
·The importance of cohesive, in-depth mitigation.
If you are offered employment, the following are the conditions of employment:
·Be a current resident of the State of Colorado or become a resident of the State of Colorado within 30 days of the hire date;
·Be currently licensed to practice law in the State of Colorado or can be licensed to practice law in the State of Colorado within 90 days of the hire date;
·Be willing to submit to a routine background investigation, including a criminal history check; and
·If hired, the Immigration Reform and Control Act requires you to provide proof of your eligibility to work in the United States within three workdays.
In the online application, you must provide a resume, a cover letter, an original writing sample, and answer several questions. You may also upload two letters of recommendation. Please complete the online application at the link below by 11:59 pm on Wednesday, November 22, 2023.
https://fs2.formsite.com/OADC/nd3fixmbri/index
Once you submit your application, you will receive an automatic email from Formsite. Please add [email protected] as a safe sender. If you cannot find this email, please look in your spam/junk folder. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. Faxed, mailed, or emailed applications will not be accepted. Please direct any additional inquiries or questions to [email protected].