Paralegal, Strategic Litigation

About The Innocence Project

The Innocence Project works to free the innocent, prevent wrongful convictions, and create fair, compassionate, and equitable systems of justice for everyone. Our work is guided by science and grounded in anti-racism. Since our inception, the Innocence Project has used DNA and other scientific advancements to prove wrongful conviction. To date, we have helped to free or exonerate more than 250 people who, collectively, spent more than 3,600 years behind bars.

Our efforts have led to the passage of more than 200 transformative state laws and federal reforms. Today, the Innocence Project continues to fight for freedom, drive structural change, and advance the innocence movement. To learn more, please visit (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

The Strategic Litigation Department works to bring scientific integrity to the courtroom by advancing reform through litigation. Our department works to improve case law in ways that help to prevent future wrongful convictions. In particular, our focus is to compel courts to meaningfully fulfill the obligations of the judicial gatekeeping function by preventing evidence that is not scientifically reliable or valid from being admitted, and create new legal precedent consistent with science consensus.

Our litigation focuses on the three leading contributing factors to wrongful convictions overturned by DNA evidence: eyewitness misidentification, the misapplication of forensic science and emerging technologies, and false and/or coerced confessions. Outside of these specific areas, we have a robust amicus curiae practice in state high courts and the Supreme Court, which focuses on broader criminal legal system reform issues.

Our advocacy agenda is advanced primarily through litigation, but also through policy initiatives, consulting, training, public speaking, stakeholder work, and scholarship.

The Paralegal, Strategic Litigation provides support to Strategic Litigation (SL) attorneys at the Innocence Project and is a vital part of the Strategic Litigation team. This paralegal will work directly with the two lawyers in the Department who focus on issues related to forensic sciences. The paralegal is actively engaged in department happenings, eager to learn all facets of the department and is expected to assist with case research, development and management, and time-sensitive litigation matters.

The paralegal is detail-oriented enough to organize and maintain litigation resources necessary to efficiently and effectively manage the Strategic Litigation department's cases and to serve counsel who seek our assistance. This position is ideal for someone with a strong interest in the criminal legal system and a desire to attend law school or pursue other postgraduate education in a related field.

The Paralegal, Strategic Litigation reports to the Director of Strategic Litigation and works closely with the Department's Staff Attorneys and the other paralegal.

At the Innocence Project, we wholeheartedly commit to fostering a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism. We encourage all candidates to apply, regardless of whether they meet all of the stated requirements listed for this position. We recognize the importance of embracing, respecting, and valuing the diverse perspectives and experiences of our staff, which enriches our work and advances our mission.

We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. However, we are not able to sponsor visas.

The duties of this position require approximately 40 hours of work per week to be performed virtually/in-office. We currently have a hybrid in-office model, with all employees in the office three days per week and the remainder of the week remotely. Wednesday is our organization's "anchor day" where all staff works in the office. The number of required in-office days is subject to change.

The Innocence Project seeks a detail oriented, organized, and proactive individual to join the Strategic Litigation team. They are collaborative and enthusiastic about the mission of the Innocence Project. In addition, the ideal…