Description
INIP Legal Director
The Indiana Innocence Project (INIP) invites applications for a full-time Legal Director.
About the Indiana Innocence Project:
Founded in 2024, the INIP is dedicated to identifying and rectifying wrongful convictions and
other serious miscarriages of justice. INIP provides pro bono legal guidance and representation
to individuals who have been wrongfully convicted in Indiana, educates the public about
wrongful convictions, and works with wrongful conviction collaborators to better rules, laws,
and practices to minimize wrongful convictions.
Role & Responsibilities:
This is a challenging and rewarding position focused on the goal of exonerating innocent people.
INIP seeks a committed and experienced individual to lead INIP’s intake, case review, and
litigation efforts.
The Legal Director will:
Partner with the Executive Director and Board of Directors toward INIP goals;
Engage in a supervisory role of leadership within INIP tied to all matters of intake, case
representation, and litigation, including supervision of intake and litigation staff and
attorneys;
Manage within the INIP matters of intake, file review, case review, investigations,
interviewing, visiting incarcerated people, retrieving and analyzing pertinent case
information, working with experts, and litigating on behalf of clients;
When appearing on behalf of clients, the Legal Director will develop case legal strategies
and take necessary legal actions on behalf of clients, such as drafting motions and briefs,
interfacing with prosecutors and judges, and appearing in state and federal district and
appellate courts for evidentiary hearings, oral arguments, and other appearances;
Supervise INIP collaborations with the Indiana State Public Defender, wrongful
conviction organizations, academic institutions, and private attorneys to assist with
intake, case review, and client representation where necessary and/or desirable;
Travel as required for court appearances, depositions, meeting with clients and, when
appropriate, donors;
Promote the work of INIP to the community.
Required Experience and Qualifications:
- J.D. degree from an ABA-accredited law school with ten (10) years professional
experience;
- Exceptional research, writing, and editing skills;
- Experience in state and/or federal criminal law with felony cases (defense or
prosecution);
- Ability to collaborate, a commitment to creating a working environment that is inclusive,
equitable, and welcoming, and a willingness to honor the diverse experiences and
perspectives of INIP Board, employees, volunteers, and clients;
- A commitment to working with incarcerated individuals;
- Desire to engage in client-centered advocacy and lawyering, and a willingness to use the
law creatively and strategically to seek criminal justice; and
- Ultimately admission to the Indiana Bar.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Prior experience working within an innocence organization as staff, student, or volunteer,
is helpful to demonstrate an interest in and commitment to issues of wrongful conviction;
- Relevant litigation experience in post-conviction and wrongful conviction law.
Physical Demands:
- Sitting: Frequently
- Talking: Frequently
- Hearing: Frequently
Employment Policies and Information:
INIP is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer with a strong commitment to
recruitment and retention of a diverse and inclusive community. 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.
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana, with some flexibility for remote work possible.
Starting Salary: $123,000
To Apply:
Applicants should submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae or resume, a list of three professional
references, and a recent legal writing sample to: INIP Board of Directors, c/o Sara
Beanblossom, sbeanblossom@indianainnocenceproject.org.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and applicants are encouraged to apply as soon
as possible.
