Description

The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office’s (HCAO) Conviction Integrity Unit (CIU) is seeking an experienced licensed Attorney with Admission to the Bar of the State of Minnesota or ability to obtain Minnesota licensure as a conditional offer of employment, to review prior convictions of the HCAO for indicators of actual innocence, constitutional violations, excess sentences, or other injustices.

The CIU rectifies wrongful convictions and excessive or unjust sentences and identifies errors in past prosecutions so the HCAO right past wrongs and take steps, along with its justice partners, to prevent such errors from recurring.

Current Hennepin County employees who refer a candidate hired into an open competitive position may be eligible for a $500 referral bonus. For more information visit the employee referral program. 

Location and hours:This position is hybrid and will be performed both on-site at the Hennepin County Government Center at 300 South 6th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55487, and remote as job duties require. Work hours will be Monday through Friday, with typical hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. While this position is designated as hybrid, based on current requirements hires must reside in or relocate to Minnesota or Wisconsin.

New employees who are hired into remote or hybrid positions between January 2, 2022 to December 31, 2024, will receive $500 toward the cost of establishing consistent internet connectivity, payable upon completion of 6 months of employment.

About the position type:
This is a full-time, limited duration (temporary), benefit earning position expected to last up to two years, with the possibility of extension to a regular (permanent) position.
This position is internally classified as an Attorney.
Click here to view the job classification specification.

In this position, you will:

• Review prior convictions of the HCAO for indicators of actual innocence, constitutional violations, excess sentences, or other injustices.
• Assist with developing and deploying a strategy for identifying prior convictions and reviewing and responding to applications from individuals seeking to have their convictions reviewed by the CIU. 
• Obtain and review voluminous court records, law enforcement documents, and all other documents connected with or relevant to a criminal prosecution.
• Partner and collaborate with attorney’s, law enforcement agencies, counsel for represented parties, and other stakeholders in the review of cases.
• Oversee DNA and other forensic testing on cases.
• Engage in legal research to assess claims relevant to prior convictions under review. 
• Make recommendations on courses of action and remedies, if any, based on review of cases and findings
• Prepare motions, briefs, and other legal papers in connection with court proceedings resulting from the CIU’s case reviews.
• Appear in court in connection with court proceedings resulting from the CIU’s case reviews.

Need to have:

• Admission to the Bar of the State of Minnesota or ability to obtain admission to the Bar as part of conditional job offer and two or more years of experience as a practicing attorney. One year of this experience may be required in a defined specialty area.

Nice to have:

• Experience:
  • Working in a public law office, which includes prosecutor or public defender offices.
  • Working in criminal law, including innocence or wrongful conviction organizations, conviction integrity units, or other specialty areas related to the position.
• Knowledge of:
  • Legal principles and practices in the area of criminal law, including matters of constitutional law relevant to criminal practice; common causes of wrongful convictions.
  • Postconviction procedure and the rules of evidence.
  • Local laws and ordinances, established precedents, and legal reference sources.
  • The principles, methods, and practices of legal research and investigation.
  • Judicial procedures and the rules of evidence.
• Ability to:
  • Prepare and conduct postconviction litigation regarding wrongful convictions and corrective sentencing.
  • Review and synthesize large volumes of information.
  • Construct well-organized and cogent written work product, including statements of fact and legal arguments; prepare proper legal instruments and court documents.
  • Demonstrate initiative in keeping projects progressing forward.
  • Exercise superior judgment on complex, highly consequential matters.

About the department:
The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office is a fierce advocate for justice and equity, pursuing holistic community safety and providing quality legal services through evidence-informed practices and collaborative problem solving.

We prosecute crimes with fairness and integrity. We advocate for victims of crime by seeking meaningful accountability and supporting healing. We use preventive and restorative approaches to address the complex root causes of crime and violence. We engage with partners to pursue system accountability. And we provide proactive and innovative legal services in the areas of mental health, child support, child protection, and civil legal representation for Hennepin County to advance the County’s efforts to reduce disparities and enhance the quality of life of our community.

About Hennepin County: 
Hennepin is the largest county government organization in Minnesota. Our employees work every day to improve the health, safety and quality of life for our residents and communities. All of our jobs align to one or more of our overarching goals — that Hennepin County residents are healthy, protected and safe, self-reliant, assured due process, and mobile.

Our employees receive a combination of generous benefits and positive workplace culture not found at other organizations. This includes meaningful work that impacts our community, competitive pay, work-life balance, a variety of benefits and opportunities to grow. Learn more at The Bridge (log in as Guest).

Hennepin County envisions an organization where our commitment to diversity and reduction of disparities is fundamental in providing excellent service to our community.

Your future. Made here.

This posting may be used to fill current and future regular or limited duration vacancies.

Watch this video for application best practices and tips.

Invitations to interview will be based upon an assessment of education and experience. Final candidates may be required to complete a criminal background check.

If you have any questions, please contact:

Marita Nguyen
marita.nguyen@hennepin.us