New

Managing Staff Attorney, NJ Innocence Project of Criminal and Youth Justice Clinic (Research Associate)

Rutgers University

United States, New Jersey, Newark

Feb 24, 2025

Position Details

Position Information

Recruitment/Posting Title	Managing Staff Attorney, NJ Innocence Project of Criminal and Youth Justice Clinic (Research Associate)
Department	Sch of Law-Nwk, Dean's Office
Salary	Commensurate With Experience
Benefits	Rutgers offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees. For details, please go to http://uhr.rutgers.edu/benefits/benefits-overview.
Posting Summary	Rutgers Law School seeks to hire a full-time Managing Staff Attorney for the New Jersey Innocence Project at Rutgers University. The attorney will provide legal representation and informal advocacy to those seeking exoneration for wrongful conviction. The attorney also will oversee the project's case screening and investigation processes, collaborate with pro bono partners, work with an already-established Advisory Board, and, in collaboration with the director, seek sources of external funding. Finally, the attorney will participate in statewide justice reform initiatives and community education efforts. The Managing Attorney may be resident at either the Newark or Camden location of the Law School, depending on the preference of the successful candidate.
Position Status	Full Time
Posting Number	25FA0191
Posting Open Date	02/21/2025
Posting Close Date

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience	* Must have an earned JD or LLB degree, be admitted to the Bar of any state and, if not admitted to the New Jersey Bar, willing and eligible to seek admission immediately. * Minimum of 5-7 years of experience practicing criminal defense or handling innocence cases in New Jersey (preferred) or another jurisdiction
Certifications/Licenses
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Equipment Utilized
Physical Demands and Work Environment
Overview	30 % 1. Legal casework & policy reform * Providing legal representation to individuals who claim actual innocence and managing legal representation by partner entities * Working with and supervising staff, pro bono counsel, students, and others during investigation and litigation of cases * Identifying causes of wrongful convictions and meaningful potential reforms directed at preventing them 20 % 2. Management of day-to-day operations of the NJ Innocence Project * Providing leadership and maintaining a collaborative culture that attracts, retains, and motivates a diverse and talented staff * Supervising NJ Innocence Project staff members * Developing and managing the budget * Maintaining complete and accurate records and analyzing data * Reporting as required to funders and Rutgers' senior administration * Fulfilling all reporting requirements for membership in the National Innocence Network * Representing the Project at national and regional conferences 20 % 3. Developing and managing strategic partnerships * Maintaining a positive relationship with Rutgers Law School administration, faculty, staff, and students * Cultivating strategic relationships with individuals and entities, such as the New Jersey courts, law firm pro bono departments, the New Jersey Office of Public Defender's Post-Conviction Unit, the New Jersey Attorney General's Conviction Review Unit, and others, with the aim of enhancing the effectiveness of the Innocence Project's work * Educating the public about wrongful convictions and building community support for innocence work * Building a community of exonerees and exoneree families * Developing strategic relationships with other innocence organizations 20 % 4. Development and fundraising * Working collaboratively with the project Director and reporting regularly as required * Developing and executing development goals and strategies 10 % 5. Coordinating student involvement * Liaise with relevant faculty members
Statement

Posting Details

Special Instructions to Applicants	* Absolute integrity * Passion for access to justice and due process for all * Experience serving in a leadership role in a mission-driven setting * Experience with budget oversight * Professional legal criminal defense experience, with preference given to those with experience in post-conviction litigation in state and/or federal courts * Ability to develop strong relationships across a diverse spectrum of stakeholders, and to work well with leaders in the private, government, and not-for-profit sectors * Organizational acumen * Ability to work well with partners and partner organizations * Excellent public speaking and communication skills * Development and fundraising experience
Quick Link to Posting	https://jobs.rutgers.edu/postings/245781
Campus	Rutgers University-Newark
Home Location Campus	Rutgers University-Newark
City	Newark
State	NJ
Location Details

Pre-employment Screenings

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of all pre-employment screenings.

Immunization Requirements

Under Policy 100.3.1 Immunization Policy for Covered Individuals, if employment will commence during Flu Season, Rutgers University may require certain prospective employees to provide proof that they are vaccinated against Seasonal Influenza for the current Flu Season, unless the University has granted the individual a medical or religious exemption. Additional infection control and safety policies may apply. Prospective employees should speak with their hiring manager to determine which policies apply to the role or position for which they are applying. Failure to provide proof of vaccination for any required vaccines or obtain a medical or religious exemption from the University will result in rescission of a candidate's offer of employment or disciplinary action up to and including termination.

Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

It is university policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all its employees and applicants for employment regardless of their race, creed, color, national origin, age, ancestry, nationality, marital or domestic partnership or civil union status, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, disability status, liability for military service, protected veteran status, affectional or sexual orientation, atypical cellular or blood trait, genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing), or any other category protected by law. As an institution, we value diversity of background and opinion, and prohibit discrimination or harassment on the basis of any legally protected class in the areas of hiring, recruitment, promotion, transfer, demotion, training, compensation, pay, fringe benefits, layoff, termination or any other terms and conditions of employment. For additional information please see the Non-Discrimination Statement at the following web address: http://uhr.rutgers.edu/non-discrimination-statement