Wisconsin Innocence Project Staff Attorney

University of Wisconsin Madison•Madison, WI

About The Position

The University of Wisconsin Law School seeks a Staff Attorney for the Wisconsin Innocence Project (WIP), a nationally recognized innocence and postconviction clinic where law students provide legal representation to incarcerated individuals with credible claims of actual innocence and wrongful conviction under faculty supervision. Grant funding supports a Criminal Justice Forensic Assistance Program focused on strengthening the accuracy, reliability, and effectiveness of Wisconsin’s criminal justice system through post-conviction forensic case review, analysis, and litigation. The Staff Attorney will provide direct legal services on grant-eligible cases, supervise and mentor law students, and work with the legal team on investigation and litigation strategies. The position may also involve teaching, developing forensic-science and wrongful-conviction training, and ensuring grant and program compliance. This is a grant-funded, four-year position, initially for one year and extendable for up to three years depending on satisfactory performance, funding, and department need. An evaluation period during the first 12 months is required. After the third year, the position may become a renewable academic staff appointment, depending on funding and department need. Continued employment beyond the four-year grant period is not guaranteed. The minimum salary is $80,000, with starting salary dependent on experience and qualifications.

Requirements

Multiple years of experience in criminal legal practice.
Strong research, writing, and analytical skills.
Strong advocacy skills.
A client-centered approach to legal representation and demonstrated commitment to indigent defense.
Valid driver’s license and ability to drive and travel extensively throughout Wisconsin.
Admission to the Wisconsin Bar or immediate eligibility to apply to the Wisconsin Bar.
J.D.

Nice To Haves

Experience litigating post-conviction matters, including wrongful-conviction and actual-innocence claims.
Experience handling cases involving forensic science issues, expert witnesses, or post-conviction forensic testing.
Demonstrated knowledge of forensic disciplines and forensic reliability issues, including DNA evidence, pattern-comparison disciplines, digital evidence, forensic pathology, false confessions, eyewitness identification, or other evidentiary issues common in wrongful-conviction litigation.
Prior supervision of law students or other law school teaching experience.

Responsibilities

Carry a full caseload of grant-eligible cases.
Investigate post-conviction innocence claims by reviewing trial and appellate records, engaging experts, interviewing witnesses, and requesting records.
Conduct forensic case reviews and assess the reliability, validity, and significance of forensic evidence in criminal cases.
Identify, develop, and litigate claims involving disputed, emerging, or unreliable forensic evidence.
Work with forensic experts, laboratories, and other scientific professionals in investigating and litigating post-conviction claims.
Litigate post-conviction claims in state and federal court through written and oral advocacy, including evidentiary hearings and expert-witness litigation.
Supervise and mentor law students in case assessment, legal research, factual investigation, drafting, and client representation.
Work with the legal team to develop investigation and litigation strategies.
Assist in developing training materials and educational programming on forensic science and wrongful-conviction issues.
Teach or co-teach clinical courses or other classes.
Ensure compliance with grant, reporting, and programmatic requirements.