Policy Counsel

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 www.innocenceproject.org.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Policy Department advances the Innocence Project’s reform agenda by promoting state and federal policies that strengthen the fairness and reliability of the criminal legal system and aim to reduce the risk of wrongful convictions. The team leads advocacy campaigns across key issues, including state-level legal reforms and work on national efforts to improve the scientific foundation and equitable use of forensic and investigative methods. Under the leadership of the Director of Policy, the department sets reform strategy, manages campaigns and external partners, and drives progress toward ambitious policy goals while maintaining an inclusive and values-driven approach to criminal legal reform.

The Policy Counsel will play a significant role in advancing the Policy Department’s policy efforts by collaborating in the development of Policy Department strategies, researching and analyzing legislation, managing in-depth legal research, including 50-state comparisons of key criminal justice statutes, analyzing recent case law and court rules, drafting and reviewing legislation in collaboration with the State Policy Advocates and other Department staff, monitoring and analyzing federal policy proposals, executive orders, and proposed rules and directives, leading and managing the high court rules strategy, collaborating across departments, including Strategic Litigation and Post-conviction Litigation, assisting in the development of advocacy materials, and translating complex legal issues for relevant policy messages that are accurate and understandable across multiple audiences. The goal of this position is to accelerate the Policy Department’s impact in achieving transformative policy change.

The Policy Counsel must be skilled at legal and policy research, collaborative, an excellent writer, detail-oriented, and highly organized. The Policy Counsel must be self-directed, have sound judgement, be able to operate independently, and have a high degree of knowledge of legal issues impacting wrongful convictions. This position reports directly to the Director of Policy and works closely with the entire Policy team.

We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. However, we are not able to sponsor visas and we are not an e-verify employer.

The duties of this position require approximately 40 hours of work per week to be performed virtually/in-office. This position requires the ability to travel roughly 5% of the time. 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 IDEAL CANDIDATE

The Innocence Project seeks a strategic, collaborative, and mission-driven attorney with exceptional legal research, policy analysis, and writing skills, and a demonstrated commitment to criminal legal reform. The ideal candidate excels at translating complex legal issues into clear, persuasive language for a wide range of audiences in the policy setting, thrives in cross-functional and coalition-based environments, and can independently manage multiple priorities while maintaining meticulous attention to detail. They are a proactive problem-solver and an insightful thought partner with experience in legislative and court rule advocacy, a strong understanding of the legal issues surrounding wrongful convictions, and the ability to build trusted relationships with diverse stakeholders.

In addition, the ideal candidate models our IP Values of accountability, collaboration, empathy + compassion, equity, person-centeredness, quality focus, and self-awareness. All Innocence Project employees must embrace, respect and value the rich diversity of perspectives and lived experience of our staff. We recognize and appreciate that our work is better for having varied participants and thought partners. The ideal candidate is someone who thrives in this type of environment.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

LAW AND POLICY RESEARCH

• Track, monitor and analyze, proposed laws, regulations, and emerging legal developments at the federal, state, local levels related to criminal legal legislation, particularly those that affect revealing, correcting, or preventing wrongful convictions.
• Support state-based policy campaigns with research and analysis, including:
  • State-by-state comparisons of specific criminal justice laws and policies;
  • Analysis of legislation relating to IP’s policy reforms, including legislative histories & fiscal notes; and
  • Analysis of court decisions and case law that affect our policy reform agenda.
• Develop policy materials, such as fact sheets, for use by network partners, respond to requests for information and materials, and provide relevant training for network members in settings such as webinars, the policy symposium, and the network conference.
• Perform in-depth legal research and draft policy and advocacy materials, including multi-state landscapes, position papers, reports, memos, white papers, op-eds, and formal comments on proposed rulemakings.
• Draft and amend legislation and proposed regulations and court rules in collaboration with state policy advocates and other staff.
• Track, monitor, and report on developing areas of case law, active litigation, and court rule amendments in substantive issue areas related to the Innocence Project’s state policy agenda.
• Manage the Policy Department’s library of materials and continuously update with new content; conduct periodic audits of library materials; advise the Department and Director of significant developments impacting the Department’s legislative issue areas.
• Assume a leading and strategic role in new Department initiatives as assigned by the Director of Policy.
• Respond to inquiries by Post-conviction Litigation or Strategic Litigation staff attorneys to provide legislative history research and draft legal memoranda; collaborate with Data Science & Research projects; interface with all programmatic departments.
• Draft and submit comments to state court rule proposals, amendments, and executive orders.
• Advise the Policy Department on emerging legal, legislative, technological, and other developments in innocence issues areas.
• Develop strategy, lead implementation and provide resources for the Innocence Project’s court rule reform agenda; draft and submit state court rule proposals, comments, and amendments;
• Synthesize and organize complex information into clear and well-written briefing materials for members of the Policy Program.
• Assist the Director of Policy with managing the federal legislative agenda and executive branch orders and directives.
• Assist Policy Advocates in developing support materials (including case law reviews, testimony, policy advocacy planning, and legal research) for Network partners and lobbyists as needed in service of state policy campaigns.
• Aid policy team with the preparation of testimony, briefings, webinars and other external engagements.
• Develop external relationships with national criminal legal reform organizations
• Cross-Department Collaboration: Partner with internal departments—such as Strategic Litigation, Post-conviction Litigation, and Data Science and Research—to identify emerging issues and opportunities, align policy strategies, and monitor litigation developments.
• Review, summarize and educate Policy and other IP staff on relevant legislative and other policy developments.
• Lead hiring and supervision of legal interns, externs, and fellows.

EXTERNAL EVENTS

• Assist, as necessary, with organizing various policy-based working groups with external partners.
• Attend conferences, symposia, and other meetings to develop professional relationships that support the mission.
• Represent the IP in coalitions, task forces, and working groups
• Serve as a legal policy resource to Innocence Network partners.
• Attend legislative sessions and hearings in collaboration with state policy advocates
• Represent the Innocence Project on conference panels, webinars, podcasts and other media

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school is required
• Current member, in good standing, of the New York bar or eligibility for admission to the New York bar via motion pursuant to Section 520.10 of the Rules of the Court of Appeals for the Admission of Attorneys and Counselors at Law within 6 months of start date is required
• Must have at least 3 years public policy experience either within government or with an issue-advocacy organization
• Possess a high degree of knowledge on court rule-making authority and process; familiar with best practices and strategies for court rule advocacy
• Must have experience conducting policy and legal research, including ability to use LexisNexis and/or WestLaw
• Ability to travel roughly 5% of the time
• Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience authoring articles, position statements, or white papers on criminal law reform and/or public policy
• Experience translating complex information and developing materials for policy initiatives or campaigns
• Experience facilitating and assisting with large-scale legal projects
• Active participation in coalitions or large groups, proven ability to synthesize group goals and collaborate work

KEY COMPETENCIES + VALUES

• Excellent written and oral communication skills: write clearly and concisely, distill complex legal or technical concepts into understandable, persuasive, and accessible language for non-legal audiences, the public, and policymakers; deliver public testimony and policy briefings in a manner that engages multiple audiences.
• Possess outstanding legal analysis and problem-solving skills, keen attention to detail and the ability to navigate ambiguous policy questions where there may be little precedent and tight deadlines.
• Ability to contextualize complex concepts, conduct thorough research and identify key information relevant to policy priorities.
• Candidates must be curious, flexible, creative, and comfortable working in fast-paced or changing environments with strong organizational and planning skills, superb attention to detail, and the ability to navigate competing priorities and meet strict deadlines.
• A demonstrated relationship builder who can cultivate trust with external stakeholders, coalition partners, and government or legislative staff; internally, must be a highly collaborative team player who can work effectively across diverse, multidisciplinary teams and successfully manage differences of opinion
• Must be a motivated self-starter who can proactively identify needs, take charge of tasks, and independently drive work forward while maintaining a positive attitude
• Exceptional logical reasoning skills with the ability to break down complex concepts into digestible and identifiable components
• Enthusiasm for the work of the Innocence Project and for social justice, including a demonstrated commitment to public interest
• Shared commitment to the IP’s values of accountability, collaboration, empathy + compassion, equity, person-centeredness, quality focus, and self-awareness

COMPENSATION, BENEFITS & PERKS

The salary for this position is highly competitive and the Innocence Project offers an excellent benefits package, including fully-paid individual health, dental and vision insurance, Flexible Spending Account, 401k plan with 6% company-match, paid disability and family care leave, adoption and fertility expense reimbursements, and company-paid transportation benefits.

WORKFORCE DIVERSITY AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

The Innocence Project considers the diversity of its workforce to be vital to our organization’s success in meeting its mission. We strongly encourage applicants from all cultures, races, educational backgrounds, life experiences, socio-economic classes, sexual orientations, age, gender, and physical abilities to apply. Individuals with personal connections to the criminal legal system are strongly encouraged to apply.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, it is our policy not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, familial status, marital status, predisposing genetic characteristics, actual or perceived domestic violence victim status, unemployment status, caregiver status, or any other category protected by law.

Upon submission of your application you will be requested to complete an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) survey. This survey is part of our commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. The information you provide is voluntary and confidential. Completing the survey helps us track our progress in creating a fair and equitable environment. This data is used for reporting purposes only. Please note, the identities presented in the survey reflect federal language required by law. The Innocence Project acknowledges that not all identities are included and any reference to gender explicitly refers to biological sex. We recognize these terms are limited and we strive to humanize our internal practices. Your completion of the survey is greatly appreciated.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

To apply, please click here. Upload a resume titled with your name in this format (last name_first name_resume). In the space provided, add a cover letter expressing your interest in the role and the organization’s work. Only applications with cover letters will be considered complete applications. Information submitted through this secure site is kept confidential.

SALARY RANGE

$108,375 to $127,500. Salary commensurate with experience.