Wisconsin Innocence Project Staff Attorney

Universities of Wisconsin•Madison, WI

8d•$80,000

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, under faculty supervision, represent incarcerated individuals with credible claims of actual innocence and wrongful conviction. The position is funded by a grant supporting a Criminal Justice Forensic Assistance Program intended to strengthen Wisconsin’s criminal justice system through post-conviction forensic case review, analysis, and litigation. The Staff Attorney provides direct legal services on grant-eligible cases. The attorney carries a full caseload, investigates post-conviction innocence claims, reviews forensic evidence, works with experts and scientific professionals, and litigates claims in state and federal courts. The role also includes supervising and mentoring law students, collaborating on case strategies, developing forensic science training and educational programs, teaching or co-teaching courses, and meeting grant and program reporting requirements. This is a grant-funded, four-year position, initially appointed for one year and extendable up to three years depending on satisfactory performance, funding, and department need. An evaluation period applies during the first 12 months. After the third year, the appointment may become renewable 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. The position includes a comprehensive benefits package.

Requirements

Multiple years of experience in criminal legal practice.
Strong research, writing, and analytic skills.
Strong advocacy skills.
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. required.

Nice To Haves

Experience litigating post-conviction matters, including claims of wrongful conviction and actual innocence.
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 commonly arising 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 claims of innocence 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 presented 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 the investigation and litigation of 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 related to forensic science and wrongful conviction issues.
Teach or co-teach clinical courses or other classes.
Ensure compliance with grant, reporting, and programmatic requirements.