The Georgia Appellate Practice and Educational Resource Center, Inc. (Georgia Resource Center) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit law office established in 1988 to provide free, high quality representation to indigent death-sentenced Georgia prisoners in state and federal habeas corpus proceedings challenging their capital convictions and death sentences.
Role and Responsibilities
As part of the defense team, the attorney will undertake all aspects of state and federal habeas corpus litigation and clemency proceedings, including: identifying habeas issues through exhaustive review of trial, appellate, and collateral records; working with investigators and experts to develop those issues into legal claims; conducting legal research; drafting and filing appellate briefs and pleadings; conducting depositions; preparing expert and lay witnesses for and presenting evidence at state evidentiary hearings; appearing in court for other hearings and oral argument; and providing legal and investigative assistance to pro bono attorneys.
Experience and Qualifications
• A minimum of five years of post-conviction, appellate, and/or capital litigation experience. The ideal candidate will have experience litigating both guilt and penalty phase issues and will be able to immediately assume responsibility for an active caseload.
• Excellent legal research and writing skills.
• Knowledge of legal issues involving mitigation topics such as mental illness, intellectual disability, and trauma.
• Ability to work independently as well as within a team.
• Demonstrated commitment to indigent defense and a sensitivity to the influence of class and racial disparity on the criminal justice system.
• Ability to develop and maintain relationships with death-sentenced clients and their families.
• Self-motivated and able to manage a variety of tasks.
• Member of the Georgia Bar or willing to seek admission at the earliest opportunity.
• Some travel is required.
Salary
Salary commensurate with experience, within the scope of Georgia Resource Center’s public interest salary capacity. Benefits include but are not limited to 100% premium paid health, dental and vision insurance.
Application Instructions and Deadline
Interested candidates should email a cover letter, resume, professional references and brief writing sample to Mary Shellman at [email protected]. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis through June 30, 2018. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible.