Staff & Intake Attorney, Illinois Innocence Project, CSPL

Application deadline: 10/12/2026. Located in Springfield, IL.

About the role

Reporting to the Legal Director of the Illinois Innocence Project, the Staff & Intake Attorney will oversee the IIP case intake team and process and provide direct case representation, including overseeing file and case reviews, investigations, expert analysis, and litigation on behalf of IIP clients.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the IIP case intake team and the referral of promising cases to the evaluation team; collaborate with IIP staff to audit current case evaluation processes; oversee development and implementation of new and/or revised processes to improve evaluation and response to applications according to IIP case acceptance standards.
• Assist the legal team in management of case investigative efforts, including following up on case reviews and selection; interviewing and visiting inmates and witnesses; retrieving and analyzing pertinent case information; and working with and reviewing the work product of student interns.
• Take necessary legal actions on behalf of clients, such as drafting motions and other legal documents to be submitted to the court and appearing in court on behalf of clients.
• Participate in case review and case selection with IIP staff and student interns.
• Present case closings to IIP Legal Director.
• Make public and private presentations about the work of the Illinois Innocence Project.
• Manage intake and case data for purposes of fulfilling grant reporting requirements and other measurable goals.

Requirements

• Licensed to practice law in the state of Illinois.
• Experience in or demonstrated knowledge and interest in wrongful convictions, post-conviction law, and/or criminal law.
• Experience evaluating claims for assistance and/or communication with indigent and incarcerated clients.
• Experience working on teams specifically involving undergraduate and/or law students.

Qualifications

• Litigation experience in post-conviction and/or criminal defense.
• Prior experience representing wrongfully convicted individuals or other marginalized communities.

Skills

• Understanding of and commitment to the mission and programs of the Illinois Innocence Project and to issues of criminal justice.
• Ability to participate productively on multidisciplinary project teams made up of faculty, staff, undergraduate and law students, attorneys, investigators, experts, law enforcement, and prosecutors.
• Strong interpersonal skills and evidence of ability to deal with external constituencies.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability and willingness to travel (with a valid driver's license) frequently within Illinois and occasionally out of state.
• Regular travel around the state is required.
• Ability to work efficiently from a remote location as dictated by health or other requirements, and/or for part of the week.

Benefits

• Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance.
• Retirement Plan.
• Paid time Off.
• Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

Pay

Minimum Starting Salary: $80,000 annually.