Postconviction Unit Staff Attorney

Our ideal candidate is passionate about team-oriented, holistic indigent defense and zealous in their commitment to providing excellent postconviction representation to our clients. There is a preference for those who have:

• A Colorado law license or eligibility for admission to the Colorado State Bar through comity or bar examination;
• At least two years of experience in criminal defense, appellate, or postconviction work;
• Exceptional writing skills with a demonstrated ability to craft clear, compelling, and well-organized arguments;
• Strong analytical abilities, attention to factual and legal detail, and legal research skills;
• Competency in identifying issues during each stage of the prior proceedings, including trial, appellate, and postconviction proceedings;
• Effective and persuasive communication skills – both written and verbal;
• Ability to develop a robust, cohesive defense strategy with an interdisciplinary team (including social workers, investigators, paralegals, and experts) and foster collaboration through constructive communication, mutual respect, and appreciation for team members’ different skills and expertise;
• Capacity to work independently and manage time effectively with or with court deadlines;
• Ability to develop trust and rapport with clients from a variety of different backgrounds, utilizing client-centered best practices in their defense; and
• Resilience and commitment to representing clients, convicted of serious felonies, through extended, challenging legal proceedings.

It is also helpful, but not necessary, to possess subject matter knowledge and expertise in:

• Ineffective assistance of counsel claims;
• DNA, other forensic evidence, and junk science frequently relied upon by the State;
• Developing investigative plans, interviewing witnesses, and obtaining records;
• Complex multi-year litigation criminal cases; and
• The importance of cohesive, in-depth mitigation.