California Appellate Project (“CAP”) is accepting applications for employment as an Appellate Team Staff Attorney I, Staff Attorney II, or Senior Staff Attorney, depending on experience. 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.
In collaboration with court-appointed counsel, Staff Attorneys on CAP’s Appellate Team work to identify and develop issues for capital direct appeals; review draft motions, briefs and other pleadings at all stages of a California direct appeal from record correction to petitions for writs of certiorari; provide resources, training and individualized edits, suggestions and feedback; and assist preparation for oral argument with moot courts and brainstorming sessions; to ensure high quality representation on appeal. Staff attorneys also help counsel with setting and meeting target dates to ensure that work projects are completed in a timely and competent manner. Staff attorneys must demonstrate skill and diplomacy in assisting appointed counsel in providing high quality representation.
A Staff Attorney I assists Senior Staff Attorneys in accomplishing these tasks. A Staff Attorney II takes responsibility for cases under supervision of a Senior Staff Attorney. A Senior Staff Attorney manages cases and other team related duties under the supervision of the Appellate Team Supervising Attorney. Additionally, Senior Staff Attorneys are expected to show a high level of leadership capability. They are responsible for initiating and shaping solutions to legal or administrative problems and must collaborate with other team members and CAP staff in doing so.
Working Conditions
CAP is in a modern office building with extensive technology resources. CAP is conveniently located near public transportation in downtown San Francisco. Currently, however, most staff attorneys have been working remotely. Continued remote work is a possibility and is not a bar to consideration.
Minimum Qualifications
1. Admission to the California Bar.
2. Proven litigation skills, with at least two years of capital law practice, preferably in California. Staff Attorneys II must have a minimum of five years’ experience practicing law, including substantial experience in capital representation. Senior Staff Attorneys must have a minimum of 10 years’ experience practicing law.
3. Superior legal analysis and writing skills.
4. Demonstrated knowledge of California death penalty law and procedure, and commitment to vigorous advocacy on behalf of indigent defendants.
5. Knowledge of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), Word Perfect, and various legal databases.
6. Demonstrated ability to manage multiple litigation tasks in the face of time constraints.
7. Strong interpersonal and communication skills to maintain effective relationships with attorneys and staff in person, by email and by telephone.
8. Proven organizational skills, including planning, negotiating, effective problem‐solving, and conflict resolution.
Send us a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and three references. Also, please indicate for which position you are applying. Applications may be submitted online at https://capsf.org/public/employment.aspx. General correspondence about this position may be addressed to the Attorney Selection Committee at [email protected].