Attorney - Capital Post-Conviction Relief

About the role

The Capital Post-Conviction Relief Attorney plays a critical role in protecting the constitutional rights of clients and ensuring that their convictions and sentences receive thorough and meaningful review. Working as part of a team with another attorney, the Capital Post-Conviction Relief Attorney’s primary responsibilities include the investigation and preparation of amended post-conviction motions and evidentiary hearings in circuit courts throughout Missouri under Missouri Supreme Court Rules 24.035, 29.15, and 29.16 as they pertain to death penalty post-conviction litigation.

Responsibilities

• Investigate and prepare amended post-conviction motions under Missouri Supreme Court Rules 24.035, 29.15, and 29.16 as applicable to death penalty post-conviction litigation.
• Represent clients in evidentiary hearings and other post-conviction proceedings in circuit courts throughout Missouri.
• Prepare detailed findings of fact and conclusions of law for submission to circuit courts.
• Cover extensive factual and legal investigation to identify and develop post-conviction claims.
• Prepare appellate briefs following circuit court rulings on post-conviction motions for consideration by the Missouri Supreme Court.
• Prepare potential petitions for certiorari and other appropriate appellate pleadings.
• Assist with federal habeas corpus matters when appropriate, including assisting clients with preparation of federal habeas corpus petitions when directed, without serving as counsel of record in those proceedings.

Mission

• Stay current on developments in Missouri criminal, post-conviction, appellate, and death penalty law.
• Participate in continuing legal education, training, and professional development opportunities.
• Contribute to the overall mission of MSPD by providing zealous, high-quality representation to indigent clients.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Licensed to practice law in Missouri, or eligible to transfer a bar license from another state.
• At least three years of substantial experience in criminal law litigation.
• Experience in post-conviction litigation, felony appellate litigation, or felony jury trial work.
• Experience and demonstrated ability to work effectively with expert witnesses, including mental health professionals.
• Strong legal research, writing, analytical, and oral advocacy skills.
• Ability to investigate and obtain sensitive and personal information from clients, family members, and lay witnesses.
• Ability to obtain, investigate, analyze, and organize extensive educational, mental and physical health, criminal and juvenile, and other records.
• Knowledge of Missouri criminal law, criminal procedure, post-conviction practice, and applicable appellate rules.
• Ability to manage complex cases, meet demanding deadlines, and work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Ability and willingness to travel extensively, both within and outside Missouri, as required by the needs of the cases.
• Commitment to providing zealous advocacy for indigent clients and protecting the constitutional rights of individuals facing the most serious criminal penalties.
• Ability to handle highly sensitive, confidential, and complex legal matters with professionalism, integrity, and sound judgment.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation.
• State of Missouri benefits that include a defined pension plan, generous amounts of leave and holiday time, and eligibility for health insurance coverage.

Pay

$87,000 - $100,000 annually, plus a $1,000 per month death penalty differential.

Schedule

Full-time position that can be based in Columbia, Kansas City or St. Louis.