Post-Conviction Staff Attorney

The Capital Area Private Defender Service (CAPDS) is a non-profit dedicated to improving indigent defense based in Austin, Texas. CAPDS’s award-winning Post-Conviction Division includes the CAPDS Wrongful Conviction Project and The Forensic Project. CAPDS seeks an entry- to mid-level staff attorney to join its Wrongful Conviction Project. This project is grant-funded.

In 2026, the CAPDS Post-Conviction Division was honored to be recognized by the State Bar of Texas for our work correcting wrongful convictions and our contribution to the innovation of indigent defense as the first recipient of the Jeff Blackburn Award.

For more information, please visit www.forensicproject.org.

The Wrongful Conviction Project staff attorney will work to identify, investigate, and litigate wrongful conviction cases in Travis County. The ideal candidate is a highly organized and self-directed individual with criminal defense/innocence project/post-conviction experience and a demonstrated commitment to excellent, client-centered representation.

The ideal candidate possesses the following qualifications:

• The candidate must be licensed to practice law in Texas by the start date;
• Minimum of three years of post-conviction/innocence work experience is preferred but not required;
• Demonstrated commitment to client-centered indigent defense;
• Knowledge of national standards for defense investigation;
• Demonstrated high-quality research and writing skills;
• Demonstrated diligence and initiative to set and accomplish goals and meet deadlines;
• Experience working with diverse populations;
• Knowledge of Texas habeas law and practice;
• Willingness to travel; and
• Fluency in Spanish is preferred.

Primary responsibilities:

• Review and screen cases for indication of wrongful conviction;
• Conduct thorough post-conviction investigations;
• Engage in post-conviction discovery through public records requests and motions practice;
• Draft pleadings and briefs;
• Communicate with clients;
• Maintain highest standards of advocacy, professional responsibility, client-centered representation and best practices in all areas of post-conviction review and representation;
• Keep abreast of legal opinions, legislative updates, forensic science developments and evolving best practices; and
• Document and track time and reporting milestones.

The salary range for this position depends on experience. Generous benefits package includes health, dental, retirement, and other benefits. The grants supporting this project and position are subject to annual renewal.

Spanish language proficiency is preferred.