Posting Number

req16058

Department

Law Administration

Department Website Link

https://law.arizona.edu/

Medical Sub-Speciality

Location

Main Campus

Address

Tucson, AZ USA

Position Highlights

The University of Arizona Innocence Project (UAIP) seeks applicants for the position of Staff Attorney. The UAIP identifies, investigates, and litigates Arizona cases involving post-conviction claims of innocence. The UAIP Clinic is a year-long, for-credit clinic at the James E. Rogers College of Law in which law students, under the supervision of clinic faculty, provide pro bono investigative and legal assistance in UAIP cases.

The staff attorney's primary role will be reviewing, investigating, and litigating post-conviction claims of innocence. Casework includes examining issues related to eyewitness misidentification, false confessions, faulty forensic science, and other common causes of wrongful conviction. In each case, the staff attorney will review existing case files, pursue new evidence that could establish innocence, and litigate for relief where appropriate. The staff attorney will also manage teams of clinic students working on UAIP cases, under the supervision of the Clinic Director.

Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; state and optional retirement plans; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more!

The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs.

Duties & Responsibilities

Duties will include the following:

• Investigate post-conviction claims of innocence, including reviewing trial and appellate records, engaging with experts, interviewing witness, and requesting records.
• Litigate for post-conviction relief in state and federal court.
• Supervise and manage teams of students, conduct weekly case meetings, guide investigations, oversee legal research and drafting, and act as a primary case contact.
• Oversee the UAIP’s intake process and manage students screening potential cases.
• Contribute to substantive classroom teaching on issues related to wrongful convictions.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Active member in good standing of a state bar
• Demonstrated commitment to representing indigent clients
• Excellent legal research, writing, and presentation skills

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with an innocence project/clinic.
• Criminal post-conviction experience
• J.D. from an ABA accredited law school

FLSA

Exempt

Full Time/Part Time

Full Time

Number of Hours Worked per Week

40

Job FTE

1.0

Work Calendar

Fiscal

Job Category

Clinical Faculty

Benefits Eligible

Yes - Full Benefits

Rate of Pay

$65,000

Compensation Type

salary at 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE)

Type of criminal background check required:

Name-based criminal background check (non-security sensitive)

Number of Vacancies

1

Target Hire Date

5/22/2023

Expected End Date

Contact Information for Candidates

Vanessa Buch
Clinical Professor of Law; Director University of Arizona Innocence Project
vbuch@arizona.edu

Open Date

5/15/2023

Open Until Filled

Yes

Documents Needed to Apply

Resume and Cover Letter

Special Instructions to Applicant

Diversity Statement

At the University of Arizona, we value our inclusive climate because we know that diversity in experiences and perspectives is vital to advancing innovation, critical thinking, solving complex problems, and creating an inclusive academic community. As a Hispanic-serving institution, we translate these values into action by seeking individuals who have experience and expertise working with diverse students, colleagues, and constituencies. Because we seek a workforce with a wide range of perspectives and experiences, we provide equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or genetic information. As an Employer of National Service, we also welcome alumni of AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service programs and others who will help us advance our Inclusive Excellence initiative aimed at creating a university that values student, staff and faculty engagement in addressing issues of diversity and inclusiveness.