California Appellate Project (CAP) seeks to hire a Supervising Attorney for our Appellate Team. CAP is a nonprofit legal resource center funded by the Judicial Council of California to implement the constitutional right to counsel for indigent death row inmates challenging their convictions and sentences on direct appeal and through habeas corpus proceedings.
The Supervising Attorney will supervise a team of staff attorneys and senior attorneys, and will assist team members and appointed counsel in providing high quality representation to clients, primarily in direct appeals.. This person will recruit, mentor, and supervise team members; oversee the appellate assistance caseload; foster an atmosphere of collaboration to ensure that CAP’s policies are implemented in a fair and effective manner; and show a high level of leadership capability and expertise in working collaboratively with all levels of the organization. The Supervising Attorney is also expected to lead the training and development of team members, and to convene and facilitate team meetings. He or she may also supervise investigators and law students.
The Supervising Attorney also will carry a case assistance caseload. He or she maintain constructive relationships with appointed counsel and staff; monitor case progress by setting and meeting target dates; review draft pleadings; provide appointed counsel with feedback; and ensure that work projects are completed in a timely and competent manner.
Supervising Attorneys also are expected to initiate efforts to compile and disseminate information and resource materials for use by CAP staff and appointed counsel. They present at training programs; participate in appellate court or bar association meetings or other efforts relating to death penalty representation; and serve as liaisons with members of the criminal defense bar or other legal organizations. They assist in the recruitment of competent, high quality attorneys, caseworkers, and student interns.
1. Admission to the California Bar.
2. Minimum of 10 years’ experience practicing law and 5 years Capital litigation experience, preferably in California.
4. Substantial experience in capital trial, appellate, and/or habeas corpus representation.
5. Superior legal analysis and writing skills.
6. Demonstrated, sophisticated knowledge of California death penalty law and procedure, as evidenced by written submissions, presentations at training programs, and the like.
7. Demonstrated ability to manage multiple litigation tasks in the face of time constraints.
8. Demonstrated leadership experience and strong interpersonal and communication skills.
9. Proven organizational skills, including planning, negotiating, effective problem‐solving, and conflict resolution.
Send us a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and three references. Please indicate that you are applying for the Supervising Attorney position. You may address all correspondence to the Attorney Selection Committee at: [email protected].