Korey Wise Innocence Project Attorney

At the Colorado Law School, we are an engaged, diverse, and welcoming community of students, staff, faculty, and alumni who help one another succeed. Our selective admissions process keeps our student body small, enabling our faculty, staff, alumni, and community to invest deeply in each student's success. Because we take our responsibility to educate and train future lawyers very seriously, our curriculum, research centers, and experiential learning opportunities are crafted to prepare students for success in today's changing legal environment.

The central role of this position is to screen, develop, and litigate cases that involve unreliable forensic evidence and identify avenues of DNA testing that could demonstrate innocence.

More specifically, the staff attorney will:

• Capture and review transcripts and other records in cases where discredited forensic analyses may have been introduced at trial or used as leverage to secure a plea agreement. Use these materials to evaluate the role that discredited forensic evidence played in each conviction.
• Lead long-term case strategy and problem-solving for all assigned cases under review.
• For cases approved for investigation and/or new forensic testing, determine appropriate negotiation and litigation strategies.
• Lead DNA and other forensic testing to ensure that DOJ guidelines are satisfied and that resources are used effectively to achieve the best possible results for individual clients.
• Draft motions, petitions, appellate briefs, and other filings.
• Conduct evidentiary hearings as necessary.

KWIP is a small, close-knit organization. The part-time Staff Attorney will also be expected to have a very limited role in other aspects of the organization's work, including fundraising, communications, event planning, policy work, and office administration.

KWIP is a client-focused office where teamwork and collaboration to are expected and valued.

This is a part-time position and is expected to work 20 hours per week in a hybrid work modality. The position is expected to work during regular business hours, though the role may need to meet outside of regular work hours at times. Flexibility for the schedule is available for this role, including navigating retirement requirements. This is a grant-funded position for a term of two and a half years.

The hire rate for this position will be $47.50 - $65.24 per hour.

• Juris Doctor degree.
• Licensed to practice law in Colorado or eligible to be admitted on motion to the Colorado bar.
• At least three years of litigation experience involving criminal defense or civil rights work.
• Valid driver's license.

• Excellent legal research and writing skills.
• Strong oral advocacy skills and experience litigating in court.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Ability to work cohesively in a team environment and receive constructive feedback.
• Knowledge/experience concerning post-conviction and federal habeas law, DNA and other forensic evidence, applying the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA), developing investigative plans, interviewing witnesses and drafting statements/affidavits, and advanced legal research skills.

• 10+ years' experience litigating cases involving indigent defense or civil rights work.
• Experience managing complex, multi-year litigation.
• Experience with and knowledge of Colorado court systems.