Paralegal, Post-Conviction Litigation (PCL Clinic)

Innocence Project•New York, NY

3h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Innocence Project works to free the innocent, prevent wrongful convictions, and create fair, compassionate, and equitable systems of justice for everyone. Their work is guided by science and grounded in anti-racism. Since its inception, the Innocence Project has used DNA and other scientific advancements to prove wrongful conviction, helping to free or exonerate over 250 people who collectively spent more than 3,600 years behind bars. Their efforts have led to the passage of over 200 transformative state laws and federal reforms. Today, the Innocence Project continues to fight for freedom, drive structural change, and advance the innocence movement. Post-Conviction Litigation ("PCL") Paralegals provide research assistance, drafting, and administrative support to attorneys pursuing one of the Innocence Project’s ("IP") core goals—freeing the innocent. PCL Paralegals are also responsible for general case management, records and data management, being responsive to time-sensitive litigation related requests, and for more generally assisting with the organization and maintenance of various department resources. PCL Paralegals have an expansive role. In addition to traditional paralegal tasks such as document management, preparation, and filing, paralegals engage in tasks and make decisions that require out-of-the-box thinking and good judgment. For example, PCL Paralegals often collaborate with attorneys in the important tasks of engaging and communicating with clients and conducting investigations and may be asked to work with other IP Departments (such as Communications). This role, the Paralegal, Post-conviction Litigation (PCL Clinic) is unique from other PCL paralegal roles in that it reports to one PCL attorney, with additional requirements to support the year-long legal clinic and summer legal internship. This paralegal works collaboratively with all PCL Department staff and with law clinic students, and may be asked to supervise and train interns, students and volunteers. The duties of this position require approximately 40 hours of work per week to be performed virtually/in-office. The Innocence Project currently has a hybrid in-office model, with all employees in the office three days per week and the remainder of the week remotely. Wednesday is the organization’s “anchor day” where all staff works in the office. The number of required in-office days is subject to change.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or Paralegal Certificate, or equivalent level of prior legal experience (4 years)
Competency with Microsoft Office
Competency with Google Suite
Competency with Adobe Acrobat
In-depth internet research skills
Demonstrated ability to learn to use new technological tools
Strong writing skills
Strong critical thinking skills
Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.
Proven experience in problem resolution and perseverance in getting a task completed
Energetic self-starter who is highly organized, persistent and detail-oriented
Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously, be flexible, prioritize and effectively manage workload, and meet tight deadlines
Thrives in moments of unpredictability, is flexible, and performs well under pressure
Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills
Enthusiasm for the work of the Innocence Project and for social justice, including a demonstrated commitment to public interest
Shared commitment to the IP’s values of accountability, collaboration, empathy + compassion, equity, person-centeredness, quality focus, and self-awareness
Passion about social justice and the work and mission of the Innocence Project and creating fair and just systems of justice for everyone
Understand how to work in an environment with tight deadlines
Flexible with competing and unpredictable priorities
Persistent and thrive under pressure
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Enthusiastic about working directly with law students and supporting legal education

Responsibilities

Maintain up-to-date and well organized electronic records on our case management system and paper case files and docket sheets
Communicate daily with incarcerated clients and their family members
Assist with evidence searches, discovery requests and responses, and preparing public records requests
Review and accurately synthesize the factual background of cases, including police reports, lab reports, prior motions, trial transcripts, and case files
Develop a working knowledge of DNA testing
Write memos about discrete fact-based questions, for example, about whether case facts in the record support a particular exoneration theory; prior and current testing history; evidence searches; and post-conviction investigation issues
Assist in drafting other materials in support of litigation strategy, for example cover letters, press statements, consent letters, and motions for DNA testing
Prepare court documents for filing, including editing and proofreading vacatur and post-conviction relief motions, reviewing citation format for compliance with the Bluebook; copying, collating, and binding documents and exhibits, preparing tables of contents and tables of authorities, reviewing and summarizing court rules
Conduct legal research using online databases such as Westlaw or Lexis
Liaise with forensic laboratories, experts, and prisons
Write and compile parole packets and clemency letters, and gather letters of support from clients’ family members, friends, and community members
Work with PCL attorneys and the Social Work team to support clients’ re-entry
Assist in running a year long legal clinic with students from NYU School of Law
Revise annual syllabus; organize and lead trainings in partnership with clinic supervisor
Identify and schedule new guest speakers for the clinic
Submit reimbursements for clinic expenses; organize clinic-wide events
Communicate with clinic students on project deadlines, seminar readings and office-related events
Assist in running the 10-week PCL summer internship with law students from around the country
Revise and refresh summer training schedule; organize and lead trainings in partnership with clinic supervisor; identify and schedule guest speakers for the internship
Submit reimbursements for internship expenses; organize clinic-wide events for the internship
Communicate with internship students on project deadlines, readings, and office-related events
Arrange for litigation-related travel and reimbursement
Scan and copy documents and prepare hard copy resources such as binders
Travel to meet with incarcerated clients and attend and prepare for parole hearings, evidentiary hearings, retrials, and exonerations
May be asked to supervise and train interns, students and volunteers