Miami Innocence Project Attorney Position

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Position Title: Practitioner-in-Residence/Lecturer

Start Date: Fall 2011/Spring 2012

Duration: 2 years, renewable for 1 additional year

Miami Law invites applicants for the position of Practitioner-in-Residence/Lecturer in its Miami Innocence Clinic. The Practitioner-in-Residence/Lecturer will have the opportunity to join the vibrant and supportive clinical community at the School of Law. Together with the Innocence Clinic Director, the Practitioner-in-Residence/Lecturer will help run the clinic, including guiding and assisting students in screening, investigating, researching, and litigating motions for post-conviction relief claiming actual innocence. Responsibilities may include, depending upon qualifications, opportunities for lead counsel on motions for post-conviction relief. The position is designed for a lawyer with at least 3-5 years of post-conviction experience or experience in criminal appeals. Prior experience in an Innocence Project is preferable.

Job responsibilities may also include:
a. Developing, implementing, managing, and supervising all aspects of student work on Clinic cases/projects;
b. developing new projects that are connected with the Clinic's objectives;
c. co-teaching Clinic classes on post-conviction relief, wrongful convictions, and remedies;
d. assisting with administrative and operational aspects of the Clinic, including outreach activities to publicize the Clinic's work;
e. student recruitment and professional counseling;
f. responding to public inquiries regarding the Clinic.
g. Participation in the clinic’s strategic planning;
h. liaising with student and community groups;
i. providing content for the Clinic's website;
j. assisting with the Clinic application process;
k. providing support for development activities, including grant writing and fundraising;
l. Covering cases/projects during the summer and between semesters. Depending on student interest and other needs, the Clinic may run through the summer, in which case the Practitioner-in-Residence/Lecturer would be solely or primarily responsible for teaching and supervising students and cases/projects.

The Miami Innocence Clinic is committed to exonerating actually innocent prisoners wrongfully convicted. The Miami Innocence Clinic was reviewed and accepted to be a member of the National network of Innocence Projects in fall of 2010. The clinic investigates innocence claims and litigates post-conviction motions when appropriate. Students in the clinic contribute through fact investigation, interviewing defendants and witnesses, and legal research and analysis. Investigation of innocence claims includes case screening, witness and client interviews, motion writing, and research.
Qualifications: J.D. and/or L.L.M. degree from a U.S. law school is required. Applicants must have at least 3-5 years of legal practice experience. Applicants should have significant experience in post-conviction experience and/or criminal appeals; enthusiasm for clinical teaching, student development and training; a demonstrated commitment to social justice and public interest law; the ability to work independently and as part of a team; excellent legal, analytical, organizational, and written and oral communication skills. Experience in community-driven advocacy and policy work is a considerable advantage. Experience with clinical education, project management, and supervision of student interns is a strong plus.

The principal supervisor for the position is Miami Innocence Clinic Faculty Director, Professor Sarah Mourer. The Practitioner-in-Residence/Lecturer will have the opportunity to develop and work on a scholarly agenda and participate in the academic life of the law school and in relevant academic and advocacy conferences.

Starting annual salary is competitive and depends on experience; position also provides benefits and access to university facilities. Additional compensation may be available for summer teaching.

To apply, please email a resume, cover letter, writing sample, law school transcript, and names, addresses and telephone numbers of three references by [INSERT DATE] to umwrongfulconvictions@gmail.com. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. For questions, please contact Eileen Russell at erussell@law.miami.edu.