Job Opening: Staff Attorney
https://ohiojpc.org/get-involved/jobs-internships/
THE OHIO JUSTICE & POLICY CENTER
215 E. 9th St., Ste. 601, Cincinnati, 45202 341 S. Third St., Columbus, 43215 513-421-1108 • ohiojpc.org
ABOUT OJPC
The Ohio Justice & Policy Center is a nonprofit public interest law firm that creates fair, intelligent, and redemptive criminal justice systems. We achieve our mission through client-centered advocacy, innovative policy reform, and cross-sector community education. We focus our energies primarily on reducing the number of incarcerated people, protecting rights of incarcerated people, and helping people with criminal records to fully contribute to their communities. We have offices in Cincinnati and Columbus, OH, and our work is statewide.
JOB DESCRIPTION:
The Ohio Justice & Policy Center (“OJPC”) seeks to hire a Staff Attorney. The Staff Attorney works primarily on Beyond Guilt cases. Beyond Guilt (“BG”) seeks to identify unfairly sentenced Ohio prisoners who illustrate widespread problems in our criminal legal system (e.g. imposition of life sentences for felony-murder; life without parole sentences for youthful offenders; broken parole systems that refuse to provide a second chance) and then fight for their release. The project represents individuals who have served significant portions of their sentences and can demonstrate rehabilitation within the prison walls and who have the skills and support systems on the outside to continue the process of rehabilitation once they are released. Whenever possible, BG partners with prosecutors, law enforcement officers and crime survivors who can help convince courts to release prisoners through various avenues.
The Staff Attorney’s role will include: (1) investigating and presenting cases and clients for the parole board (both parole and clemency), (2) preparing and filing judicial release motions, (3) investigating cases for postconviction filings in state and/or federal court, and (4) working with prosecutors, when possible, to reduce sentences. The Staff Attorney’s BG clients will be approximately 75% of the caseload and will report to the BG Senior Attorney.
In addition to the BG caseload, the Staff Attorney will devote approximately 25% of their caseload to assisting the Litigation Director with evaluating and representing prisoners in civil rights actions through the Human Rights in Prison (“HRIP”) project.
Other duties of the Staff Attorney include assisting with applying for grants and completing portions of grant reporting for BG and HRIP, supervising interns, and attending community/speaking events to educate the public on the work of OJPC.
The Staff Attorney position requires 40 hours of in-office work per week (remote working is currently supported, consistent with pandemic-related social distancing precautions), plus evening and weekend work as needed. Routine travel to visit clients, investigate cases, and appear in court is expected.
Required: Admission to Ohio bar pursuant to section 4705.01.
Note: Eligibility to practice under a Certificate to Practice Law Pending Admission in Ohio, under Rule I, Section 19 of the Supreme Court Rules for the Government of the Bar of Ohio, or eligibility to practice under a Temporary Certification for Practice in Legal services, Public Defender, and Law School Programs under Rule IX of the Supreme Court Rules for the Government of the Bar of Ohio, may be accepted in lieu of admission to the Ohio Bar pursuant to R.C. Section 4705.02.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
• Manage docket of individuals seeking relief from unfair sentences
• Direct factual and mitigation post-conviction re-investigations
• Work with community partners and organizations to assist clients with release plans and/or post-release after care for released clients
• Prepare clients and their supporters for parole hearings
• Conduct parole hearings for SB256 clients and full board parole hearings
• Craft litigation strategy
• Author motions & briefs in connection with client representation
• Conduct evidentiary hearings
• Conduct oral argument before trial and appellate courts
• Supervise law students
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:
• Minimum 1-2 years of litigation experience on behalf of indigent defendants or others accused/convicted of crimes (preference for 3-5 years litigation experience on behalf of indigent defendants or others accused/convicted of crimes and experience conducting postconviction factual/mitigation re-investigations).
• A demonstrated and abiding commitment to social justice
• Bilingual (Spanish) is a plus
KEY COMPETENCIES:
• Strong research, writing, and analytic skills
• Strong advocacy skills
• Experience with complex records and presenting compelling, fact-driven narratives
• Client-centered approach to legal representation and demonstrated commitment to indigent defense and working to change the criminal legal system
• Hard-working, ability to work independently at the same time as being collaborative
• Excellent interpersonal and verbal communication skills
• Interest in working with diverse range of people
• Ability to assess work of students and paralegals, and constructively supervise their work
• Must be able to work with groups of diverse individuals in respectful, equitable, and inclusive ways.
• Enthusiasm for the work of OJPC and for social justice, including a demonstrated commitment to public interest
• Shares values of equity, excellence, collaboration, humanity, integrity, respect, and accountability
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
To apply, please send a cover letter expressing your interest in the role and the organization’s work, and a resume titled with your name (last name. first name. cover letter/resume) to OJPC’s Operations Manager; Laura Beverly; [email protected].
Only applications with cover letters will be considered complete applications. Due to the large volume of applications, we are unable to give applicant updates by phone or direct email.
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