Clinical Professor & Legal Director, NCIP

Position Title:

Position Type:

Salary Range:

$125,000 - $150,000 / year

Purpose:

The Northern California Innocence Project (NCIP), a clinical program of Santa Clara University School of Law, seeks a Legal Director to manage all aspects of NCIP’s litigation and case investigation efforts, oversee and teach NCIP’s law clinic, and provide leadership to and oversight of NCIP’s staff attorneys, case manager, legal volunteers, and clinical law students. NCIP’s mission is to promote a fair, effective and compassionate criminal justice system and protect the rights of the innocent. NCIP represents wrongfully convicted Californians in courts of all levels. NCIP reviews hundreds of requests for assistance annually and has helped to free 36 innocent people who collectively spent 550 years in prison. NCIP’s law clinic provides Santa Clara Law students with critical legal skills and helps them develop a commitment to social justice.

The Legal Director is a full-time, renewable term faculty position. The Legal Director reports to the Santa Clara University Law School Dean and will be responsible for 1) Case Litigation and Litigation Oversight, 2) Teaching, Curriculum Development and Student Mentorship, 3) Professional and Public Education, and 4) Organizational Strategy and Development.

1. Case Litigation and Litigation Oversight

• Oversee all aspects of NCIP’s legal team, including all legal staff, research assistants and volunteers and all case work throughout the state

• Oversee and in many cases conduct all aspects of post-conviction investigation and litigation, including but not limited to:

  • negotiating with district attorneys and attorneys general

  • drafting state and federal habeas petitions and motions to vacate as well as other legal pleadings, and

  • conducting evidentiary hearings and oral arguments throughout the state and federal courts in California

• Provide day-to-day supervision of staff attorneys and case manager/intake attorney, including case work and student supervision

• Maintain a limited docket of cases being investigated and/or litigated, as appropriate for the leadership role

• Keep abreast of relevant legal and scientific developments, and ensure that legal staff also is updated on important developments

• Work with Associate Director and Executive Director on budgeting and budget monitoring for the legal team

• Coordinate/respond to requests for legal assistance from other attorneys on post-conviction innocence claims

• Recruit, coordinate, oversee and supervise work of pro bono attorneys and law firms

• Work with civil rights attorneys to seek compensation for those wrongfully convicted and to advance innocence claims as civil rights violations

• Develop relationships with attorneys nationwide working on innocence issues and collaborate with them on issues of particular importance

• Identify, coordinate, oversee and draft amicus efforts in cases raising issues related to innocence work, in state and federal courts

2. Teaching, Curriculum Development and Student Mentorship

• Develop NCIP curriculum and teach Beginning NCIP clinical class, twice weekly, for fall and spring semesters

• Oversee Advanced NCIP students throughout the year

• Oversee the training, supervision and counseling of clinical law students in all aspects of their clinic work, including editing of written work, weekly meetings for case development, and all hearing preparation, including witness preparation and legal research, and certified law student court appearances

• Advance student job opportunities by arranging for students to work with pro bono law firms

• Advise students on job opportunities

• Provide student recommendation to potential employers

3. Professional and Public Education

• Conduct local, statewide and national presentations for professional and community groups regarding NCIP’s work and legal issues presented by NCIP’s case work

• Work with NCIP’s Policy Liaison to consult with policy makers regarding policy reforms, including the presentation of hearing testimony, comments on and participation in the drafting of legislation, and consulting on other policy initiatives

• Participate in and consult on state and national print, radio, television and internet media coverage

• Participate in public education and fundraising events as a spokesperson for NCIP

4. Organizational Strategy and Development

• Work with Executive Director and Associate Director to determine organizational goals, develop strategies for initiatives, and increase overall sustainability

• Develop alliances and partnerships with other entities engaged in issues surrounding wrongful conviction and exoneration of the innocent

• Participate in the ongoing fundraising efforts of NCIP, including the annual Justice For All Gala and meetings with donors and potential donors

• Present on legal team work at NCIP Board meetings

• Contribute to the development of collateral including but not limited to press releases, annual reports, newsletters, email announcements, and fundraising appeals

5. Other Duties as Assigned

C.   PROVIDES WORK DIRECTION

• The Legal Director will provide work direction to NCIP staff attorneys, the NCIP case manager/intake attorney, and NCIP clinical students.

D. RECEIVES WORK DIRECTION FROM

• Receives work direction from the Santa Clara University Law School Dean.

E. GENERAL GUIDELINES

• Recommends initiatives and implements changes to improve quality and services.

• Identifies and determines cause of problems; develops and presents recommendations for improvement of established processes and practices.

• Maintains contact with clients and staff and solicits feedback for improved services.

• Maximizes productivity through use of appropriate tools; planned training and performance initiatives.

• Researches and develops resources that create timely and efficient workflow.

• Prepares progress reports; informs supervisor of project status; and deviation from goals.

• Ensures completeness, accuracy and timeliness of all operational functions.

• Prepares and submits reports as requested and required.

• Develops and implements guidelines to support the functions of the unit.

F. QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The items below are representative of the knowledge, skills, abilities, education, and experience required or preferred.

This position requires the ability to effectively establish and maintain cooperative working relationships within a diverse multicultural environment.

1.   Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to develop and implement investigative plans for cases

• Ability to identify, locate, and review materials needed to evaluate a case as to suitability for post-conviction litigation

• Ability to draft compelling complex legal pleadings to be filed before all levels of state and federal courts

• Ability to work effectively with professional groups, criminalists, experts, judges, law enforcement entities, advocates and other criminal justice practitioners

• Experience with in-depth legal analysis and effective advocacy

• Knowledge of U.S. criminal justice system and leading criminal justice reform areas

• Demonstrated potential for successful teaching and student supervision, including previous experience in a clinical legal setting, the direct supervision and mentoring of junior attorneys, or similar experience

• Superior writing, editing, and verbal skills

• Sound judgment and exceptional ethical standards

• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of internal and external constituents

• Ability to work independently with minimal direction and accept and integrate direction and guidance

• Approachable and collaborative personal style, works well with others in diverse, multicultural coalitions and workplace

• Willing to travel to conduct case investigation, make court appearances around the state, and visit California prisons to interview clients and witnesses

• Demonstrates strong active listening skills and ability to negotiate positive outcomes

• Possesses a positive attitude, sense of humor and flexibility

• Strong organizational skills, including a well-developed attention to detail and follow-through

• Demonstrated ability to prioritize tasks, manage multiple projects at a time, work well under pressure, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment

• Flexible and creative problem-solver, possessing strong critical thinking skills

• Flexible work hours, ability to work some evenings and weekends

• Appreciation for the mission of Santa Clara University and demonstrated commitment to NCIP’s mission, values and goals

• Respectful of all people regardless of socioeconomic background, race, culture, religion, sexual orientation, disability, gender or gender identity

2. Education and/or Experience

• Juris Doctor from an ABA-accredited institution and member of the California bar in good standing or willing to sit for the next California bar exam

• At least eight years of progressively responsible experience in the practice of criminal law and/or criminal appellate and/or post-conviction work

• At least two years of legal teaching experience, particularly in a seminar, clinical, skills development setting

• Experience in mentoring students and lawyers

Preferred:

• Ability to speak Spanish a plus

• Familiarity with Clio case management platform a plus

G. PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended, the California Fair Employment & Housing Act, and all other applicable laws, SCU provides reasonable accommodations for qualified persons with disabilities.  A qualified individual is a person who meets skill, experience, education, or other requirements of the position, and who can perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Considerable time is spent at a desk using a computer terminal.

• May be required to travel to other buildings on the campus.

• May be required to attend conferences, training sessions or meetings within Bay Area or in- or out-of-state locations.

• Occasional evening or weekend work may be required.

H. WORK ENVIRONMENT
 

The work environment characteristics described below are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

• Typical office and computer lab environment, with remote work opportunities.

• Mostly indoor office environment with some windows.

• Offices with equipment noise.

• Offices with frequent interruptions.

• Flexible work hours.

APPLICATION

Please submit a cover letter, CV/resume, at least three professional references, and writing sample to apply.

COVID-19 Statement

The health and safety of the University community is a top priority. The University strongly recommends that all employees are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 as the vaccination and boosters are safe, effective tools that significantly minimize the chances of serious illness and hospitalization. Please contact Human Resources if you have any questions.

Telecommute

Santa Clara University is registered to do business in the following states: California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, and Illinois. Employees approved to telecommute are required to perform their work within one of these states.

Work Authorization:

SCU does not sponsor any applicants for work visas for this position.  The successful candidate must be able to provide evidence of identity and legal authorization to work in the United States.

EEO Statement

​Equal Opportunity/Notice of Nondiscrimination

Santa Clara University is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and California State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. Applications from members of historically underrepresented groups are especially encouraged. For a complete copy of Santa Clara University’s equal opportunity and nondiscrimination policies, see https://www.scu.edu/title-ix/policies-reports/

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972

Santa Clara University does not discriminate in its employment practices or in its educational programs or activities on the basis of sex/gender, and prohibits retaliation against any person opposing discrimination or participating in any discrimination investigation or complaint process internally or externally. Information about Title IX can be found at www.scu.edu/title-ix. Information about Section 504 and the ADA Coordinator can be found at https://www.scu.edu/oae/, (408) 554-4109, oae@scu.edu. Inquiries can also be made to the Assistant Secretary of Education within the Office for Civil Rights (OCR).   

Clery Notice of Availability

Santa Clara University annually collects information about campus crimes and other reportable incidents in accordance with the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. To view the Santa Clara University report, please go to the Campus Safety Services website. To request a paper copy please call Campus Safety at (408) 554-4441. The report includes the type of crime, venue, and number of occurrences.

Americans with Disabilities Act

Santa Clara University affirms its' commitment to employ qualified individuals with disabilities within the workplace and to comply with the Americans with Disability Act. All applicants desiring an accommodation should contact the Department of Human Resources, and 408-554-5750 and request to speak to Indu Ahluwalia by phone at 408-554-5750 or by email at iahluwalia@scu.edu.