Innocence Project Director

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Innocence Project Director
The candidate will have the rank of Professor of the Practice, a non-tenured faculty position, and will run the Innocence Project Clinic teaching and supervising student attorneys who handle cases and advocate for reform within UB’s clinical law program. Will report directly to the Public Defender and will provide Agency-wide support and strategic vision to innocence litigation. Work with firm’s attorneys and staff both on individual cases as well as on broad reform goals. Serve as a resource and provide trainings to firm attorneys and staff on relevant social science research (including coercive interrogation tactics, unreliable eyewitness identification practices), incorporating scientific research (including DNA testing) into legal arguments, and strategic ways to address newly discovered evidence. Oversees screening and intake of cases with claims of actual innocence that are referred to the IPC by firm, the Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project (MAIP), private counsel or other organizations as well as pro se petitions. Identify from intake those cases that present valid factual innocence claims and review court files, trial, appellate and post-conviction proceedings, file and litigate Maryland Public Information Act Requests for law enforcement records and conduct any additional factual investigation that may be required to fully develop the claim. In appropriate cases, file pleadings and litigate cases. Create and teach the Innocence Project Clinic, which entails teaching a weekly seminar, supervision meetings for each pairing of student attorneys, structuring student attorney self-reflection and evaluation, and providing supervision, feedback and evaluation to the student attorneys. Supervise retained investigators and students who are conducting witness interviews and document collection. Participate in law school activities including weekly clinical meetings, faculty meetings, faculty workshops, and other school events. Retain forensic experts when necessary to develop and litigate claims. Collaborate and consult with firm’s Post Conviction Defenders Division to identify possible innocence cases, develop comprehensive litigation strategies on pending post conviction matters, and provide professional development opportunities to firm staff. Engage in legislative advocacy, consult with the Maryland Rules committee, file amicus briefs in connection with innocence issues. Write grant proposals for federal and private foundation grants and manage existing federal and private foundation grants. In collaboration with firm and UB, manage press relationships in connection with exonerations, relevant legislative initiatives and related policy issues. Keep abreast of legal and scientific developments that impact innocence cases and collaborate with firm’s Forensics Division to identify emerging trends to strategically litigate new evidence of innocence. Maintain case information and updates in both UB’s and firm’s case management system. Maintain and office and regular presence at firm including regular office hours to foster a collaborative environment and serve as an available resource and partner to firm attorneys and staff. Report directly and regularly to the Public Defender and maintain consistent communication with firm regarding pending cases, litigation strategies and the development of in-house training programs. Serve as a resource to firm attorneys and staff on emerging scientific discoveries and social science research with implications on innocence litigation.

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