Rocky Mountain Innocence Center - Legal Director
ABOUT US
Rocky Mountain Innocence Center (RMIC) is a 501(c)(3) organization that works to correct and
prevent the conviction of innocent people in Utah, Nevada, and Wyoming.
ABOUT THE POSITION
The Legal Director is responsible for the overall management of RMIC’s post-conviction
innocence litigation in Utah, Nevada, and Wyoming courts. The Legal Director manages a team
of staff and volunteer attorneys who investigate and litigate cases and also maintains an active
caseload appropriate for their leadership role. The Legal Director is responsible for case
assignments, strategic direction, and ensuring the high quality of RMIC’s work product. The
Legal Director will report to the Board of Directors.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Manage RMIC’s Legal Team & Practice
• Train and support staff attorneys, investigators, and paralegals to provide highquality
legal services.
• Provide advice on investigation plans, legal strategy, and case handling.
• Ensure overall quality of legal work by editing and reviewing all filings in RMIC cases.
• Assign and monitor caseloads and case progress.
• Determine when to bring in co-counsel and work with staff and committees to obtain cocounsel
as appropriate.
• Run a weekly case meeting; conduct weekly 1-1 meetings with legal staff; provide
feedback to employees on a consistent basis; and course-correct when needed.
• Collaborate with Case Oversight Committee on case selection.
• Keep abreast of relevant legal and scientific developments, and ensure that legal staff is
updated on important developments.
Direct Representation of RMIC Clients
• Maintain a limited docket of cases that are in investigation stage and/or litigation stage
with co-counsel, as appropriate for the leadership role.
• In investigation cases, review and have working knowledge of case files, develop
investigative plans; meet with clients in prison; interview witnesses, and determine
whether/when cases should be litigated or closed.
• In litigation cases, manage and maintain client relationships; identify and work with
experts; work with co-counsel to draft and file motions and briefs; as well as to prepare
for and/or participate in motion hearings, appellate arguments, and evidentiary hearings.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
• Attorney with active license and a minimum of seven years of felony trial and/or appellate
experience in criminal defense, post-conviction litigation, or other civil or criminal
litigation.
• At least two years of experience supervising lawyers in criminal defense, post-conviction,
or other form of criminal practice.
• An interest in, and familiarity with, the use of forensic science in litigation.
• Admitted to the Utah State Bar. Bar in Nevada and/or Wyoming a plus.
KEY COMPETENCIES
• Ability and motivation to create a cooperative and productive work environment.
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues in a sometimes intense and highly
charged setting.
• Collegial, collaborative management style with a demonstrated commitment to the
value and power of teams and staff.
• Superior judgment about both case/legal issues and management/organizational issues.
• Excellent problem-solving skills.
• Superior writing and editing skills, including drafting and editing complex briefs, and
reviewing/editing the work of attorneys.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills and ability to interact with diverse populations and
vulnerable/traumatized individuals.
• Client-centered approach to legal representation.
• Enthusiasm for social justice and for RMIC’s work, including a demonstrated
commitment to public-interest law and criminal-justice reform.
Salary Range: TBD
Please send your resume, cover letter, writing sample, and references to:
kate@conyersnix.com. Incomplete applications will not be considered. No phone calls,
please.
Rocky Mountain Innocence Center considers the diversity of its workforce to be vital to our
organization’s success in meeting its mission. We strongly encourage applicants from all
cultures, races, educational backgrounds, life experiences, socio-economic classes, sexual
orientations, age, gender, and physical abilities 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