Senior Litigation Attorney

The Arizona Justice Project (“AJP”), a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, is dedicated to seeking justice for the innocent and correcting cases of manifest injustice in the Arizona criminal justice system. With a mission to seek justice for the marginalized and forgotten, the AJP provides pro bono legal representation to indigent individuals who have been wrongfully convicted in Arizona.

In the AJP’s twenty-six years of operation, the AJP has secured the release of 51 individuals in Arizona who were wrongly convicted or suffered a manifest injustice. There is an ongoing need for the legal services of the AJP, as well as a need to examine how these wrongful convictions occurred and improve the system to prevent such injustices from continuing to occur.

We are currently seeking a full-time Senior Litigation Attorney to manage AJP’s litigation practice, including supervising pro bono and staff attorneys in investigation and direct representation in AJP cases, and leading and coordinating case review, investigation, and post-conviction litigation.

Title: Senior Litigation Attorney

Position Type: Full-time, Salaried

Salary: $95,000‒$110,000 (based on experience)

Benefits: Health Insurance, 401k, PTO, Holiday Pay, and Sick Time

Reports to: Executive Director

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Supervise, train, and support pro bono and staff attorneys, legal interns, and fellows;
• Provide advice on legal strategy and case handling;
• Assign and monitor caseloads of pro bono and staff attorneys;
• Maintain active case load of innocence and manifest injustice cases appropriate for supervisory position;
• Lead and supervise investigation of cases where an individual claims innocence or manifest injustice, including engaging private investigators and experts as necessary;
• Draft, review, and edit a variety of motions and briefs;
• Other duties as required.

Skills and Competencies:

• Collegial, collaborative manager who understands the value and power of teams;
• Superior writing and editing skills, including drafting and editing complex briefs and providing substantive review and editing of the work of other attorneys;
• Outstanding interpersonal skills;
• Client-centered approach to legal representation;
• Enthusiasm and demonstrated commitment for AJP’s mission and efforts to achieve criminal justice reform.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Attorney with an active license and a minimum of eight years of litigation experience in either trial, appellate, and/or post-conviction work;
• Three or more years of experience effectively supervising lawyers in criminal practice;
• Interest in and familiarity with the use of forensic science in criminal litigation;
• Admission to the Arizona State Bar or eligibility for admission via reciprocity.

This position is based in Phoenix, Arizona, with the option to work up to 2 days per week remotely, except when case or other organizational demands require additional on-site support. Travel throughout the state of Arizona for investigation and client visits will be regularly required. Occasional training and case-related travel may be required. This position is not contingent upon receipt of federal funds.

How to Apply:

Please submit a cover letter, resume, three professional references, and a writing sample of no more than 10 pages to info@azjusticeproject.org. Please be sure to address in your cover letter your interest in the position and the ways in which you satisfy the competencies and qualifications listed above.Include “Senior Litigation Attorney” in the subject line of your email. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.

To learn more about the Arizona Justice Project, please visit: www.azjusticeproject.org.

The Arizona Justice Project is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture and encourage applications from all qualified individuals.