To Apply: Send cover letter and résumé to: employment@gn-ip.org.
Position open until filled

About the Great North Innocence Project
The mission of the Great North Innocence Project is to free the wrongfully convicted and prevent future wrongful convictions from occurring in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Since its inception in 2001, the Great North Innocence Project has screened and investigated individuals’ credible claims of actual innocence, and represented people who were wrongfully convicted or incarcerated for crimes they did not commit. The Great North Innocence Project also educates attorneys and other criminal justice professionals on best practices, and works to reform the criminal justice system to prevent innocent people from going to prison. The Great North Innocence Project is a founding member of the Innocence Network, an international group of nonprofit organizations, law schools, public defender offices, and law firms who share our goals. The Great North Innocence Project is on a strategic path of growth to serve the needs of the innocent and their communities in our three-state region.

About the Position:
A challenging and rewarding position focused on the goal of exonerating innocent people. This position works under the direct supervision of the Great North Innocence Project’s Legal Director, with additional supervision by the Executive Director as appropriate. The Staff Attorney is part of a cohesive team of professionals who are focused on fulfilling all aspects of the mission of the Great North Innocence Project. The Staff Attorney will be responsible for screening, investigating, and litigating cases in which an incarcerated individual is claiming actual innocence. The Staff Attorney will collaborate with and manage volunteer attorneys, law students, paralegal interns, professional investigators, and expert witnesses on some cases. The cases that this attorney will encounter may involve complex issues of forensic science and difficult factual issues that require experience in the criminal legal system and/or post-conviction litigation experience.

Key Responsibilities Include:
 Ensuring that innocent inmates receive high quality legal representation by assisting them with their claims of actual innocence and serving as the primary attorney on selected cases
 Performing investigation of cases, including searching for potential witnesses and other interested parties, interviewing witnesses, writing and obtaining affidavits, and locating physical evidence, as well as recruiting and supervising professional investigators to help with the above efforts
 Finding, hiring, and consulting with experts in a variety of specialized subject matters, primarily in matters of forensic science and medical science, and learning about those areas when applicable to a case to be able to interpret expert reports
 Litigating cases where there is evidence of actual innocence by preparing and filing appropriate motions and briefs, interfacing with prosecutors and judges, and appearing in state and federal district and appellate courts for evidentiary hearings, oral arguments, and other appearances
 Collaborating with pro bono attorneys brought in to assist with litigating cases under the direction of and in partnership with the Staff Attorney
 Corresponding with inmates and their supporters on cases assigned to the Staff Attorney
 Supervising interns, law students, and volunteers who work on cases assigned to the Staff Attorney
 Providing details and reports of all work done to maintain compliance with any reporting requirements of the organization, its donors or grantors
 Assisting the Executive Director and other staff with information and outreach for the organization, its donors, or grantors
 Working on legislative and administrative policy advocacy as needed
 Teaching, research, and writing in areas related to substantive post-conviction and criminal justice issues
 Traveling by car or airplane, depending upon distance and cost. This likely will occur once or twice a month, but may increase or decrease over time
 Other responsibilities as assigned

Key Individual Attributes Include:
• Mission Focus: Commitment to the mission of the Great North Innocence Project and its organizational goals in all aspects of performing the work of this position. Find joy in the work of helping people and improving justice.
• Authenticity: Abilities to listen for understanding, be candid, maintain personal and organizational integrity, and admit to and be willing to learn from mistakes (we all make them).
• Collaborative: Be reliable, share ideas, take direction, communicate openly and honestly, ask for help when needed, offer help as needed, support co-workers and volunteers, and be willing to assist with things outside the job description when the need arises.
• Flexibility and Growth Mindset: A self-starter who is willing to work with the Executive Director and Legal Director to perform position responsibilities and prioritize tasks and projects. Ability to manage multiple accountabilities in a fast-paced environment. An open mind to learn new things and new ways, take on challenges, and grow with the position over time.
• Honesty and Discretion: Respect and keep confidential all applicable information regarding clients, cases, constituents, donors, financial, and other matters as required. Exercise discretion, good judgment, honesty and accountability in all things.
• Emotional Intelligence: Awareness and control of one’s own emotions, and the ability to express them and to handle interpersonal relationships with respect and empathy.
Required Qualifications:
• Juris Doctor degree and five to eight years in practice of law with meaningful litigation and courtroom experience
• A commitment to working with diverse people and incarcerated individuals
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Very detail-oriented and organized
• Demonstrated ability to work well with others as a member of a small team
• Admission to the Minnesota Bar in good standing or ability to be admitted to practice in Minnesota in an expedient manner
• Work during evening and weekend hours will be required from time to time
Preferred Qualifications:
• Experience in state and/or federal criminal law (defense or prosecution) or post-conviction law
• Tribal law experience
• Experience in cases involving issues of forensic science or significant related education
• Law school clinical or classroom teaching experience
• Experience with legislative and/or administrative advocacy to accomplish policy changes
• Admission to the North Dakota and/or South Dakota Bar in good standing
Compensation and Benefits:
• Estimated base salary range dependent upon experience and market standards ($85,000 – $105,000), with potential for additional compensation for position-related law school teaching, depending upon abilities and openings
• Benefits include health and dental insurance, life and long-term disability insurance, retirement plan, and paid time off
• Career and professional development opportunities
• The Staff Attorney will have their primary office at the Great North Innocence Project office located within the University of Minnesota Law School, with regular need for local and interstate travel (must have daily access to a vehicle). Staff members have flexibility to work remotely at the discretion of the Executive Director based on work needs.
Workforce Diversity and Equal Opportunity:
The Great North Innocence Project considers the diversity of its workforce to be vital to our organization’s success in meeting its mission. We strongly encourage applicants from all cultures, races, educational backgrounds, life experiences, socio-economic classes, sexual orientations, age, gender, and physical abilities to apply. Individuals with personal connections to the criminal legal system are strongly encouraged to apply. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, it is our policy not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, familial status, marital status, predisposing genetic characteristics, actual or perceived domestic violence victim status, unemployment status, caregiver status, or any other category protected by law.