Attorney - Racial Justice Act Coordinator

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Appellate & Unrepresented Teams ·  San Francisco, California

This is a remote, in-person, or hybrid position

California Appellate Project (“CAP”) is a nonprofit legal resource center funded by the Judicial Council of California to implement the constitutional right to counsel for indigent individuals sentenced to death who are challenging their convictions and sentences on direct appeal and through habeas corpus proceedings.

CAP is accepting applications for a Racial Justice Act Case Coordinator. This is a Staff Attorney or Senior Staff Attorney position with primary responsibility for coordinating CAP’s assistance in capital post-conviction litigation under the California Racial Justice Act (RJA). This position may be in-office, remote, or a combination of both. This position works under the supervision of the Appellate Team Supervising Attorney and alongside the Unrepresented Team RJA coordinator.

Under the RJA, individuals can challenge their convictions and sentences based on implicit or explicit racial bias. The RJA Case Coordinator will be responsible for:  keeping abreast of  RJA developments and marshalling and maintaining resources for CAP staff and court-appointed counsel; reviewing individual cases for RJA violations and providing an assessment of potential litigation options; leading and coordinating case-specific RJA brainstorms; guiding internal CAP discussions about the RJA; attending inter-agency RJA meetings and trainings;  and ensuring that CAP attorneys and investigators and the attorneys they assist are updated on developments and best practices pertaining to this dynamic and groundbreaking new law.

This is a high-impact position, offering the opportunity to help incarcerated death-sentenced individuals who historically have been denied remedies for the racism that has infected their trials.  Additionally, the RJA Case Coordinator will help educate lawyers and judges who have been trained to view racism as problematic only when it is intentional.

The RJA Case Coordinator may also assist appointed counsel with other aspects of capital appellate and habeas litigation. In collaboration with court-appointed counsel, attorneys on CAP’s Appellate and Habeas Teams help counsel identify and develop issues for capital direct appeals and state habeas petitions; participate in and lead case consultations; review draft motions, briefs, and other pleadings; provide resources, training and individualized edits and feedback; and help prepare appointed counsel for oral argument with moot courts and brainstorms.  All CAP attorneys are expected to keep current with changes in case law and legislation impacting capital cases.  CAP attorneys must also demonstrate skill and diplomacy in assisting appointed counsel in providing high quality representation.  

QUALIFICATIONS

• Admission to the California Bar is required.


• At least four years’ experience practicing criminal law with experience in capital litigation and/or RJA litigation to qualify for the Staff Attorney position.


• At least ten years’ experience practicing criminal law with substantial experience in capital representation and strong familiarity with RJA litigation to qualify for the Senior Staff Attorney Position.


• Deep commitment to working toward anti-racism and improving the criminal legal system.


• Commitment to developing litigation strategies for using the RJA in post-conviction cases. Enthusiasm for developing creative litigation strategies.


• Demonstrated knowledge of death penalty law and procedure.


• Commitment to advocacy on behalf of indigent defendants.


• Experience leading meetings and facilitating legal issues discussions.


• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple litigation tasks in the face of tight time constraints.


• Strong interpersonal and communication skills – both written and oral, particularly in discussing issues of race and ethnicity with empathy, sensitivity as well as candor, and an ability to maintain effective relationships with attorneys and staff in person, in remote meetings, by email and telephone.


• Proven organizational and project management skills, including planning, negotiating, effective problem-solving, and conflict resolution.


• Spanish language fluency is a plus.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

CAP is conveniently located near public transportation in downtown San Francisco. Remote or hybrid work may be possible for the right candidate.

TO APPLY

Submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and three references. 

 CAP is committed to cultivating an environment that embraces and promotes diversity. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or age, are encouraged to apply.