Lead Attorney, Capital Litigation Unit

Lead Counsel must be licensed to practice law in the State of Idaho, or in the process of seeking admission to the Idaho State Bar. Lead counsel must be committed to following the ABA Guidelines for the Appointment and Performance of Defense Counsel in Death Penalty Cases and the Supplementary Guidelines for the Mitigation Function of Defense Teams in Death Penalty Cases (2003), as the minimum standards for high quality representation. Preference will be given to candidates who meet the qualifications for lead appellate/post-conviction counsel in death penalty cases as set forth in Idaho Criminal Rule 44.3 and IDAPA 61.01.02.070.02. Trial experience is preferred. A valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and the ability to travel within and outside the State of Idaho is required. Candidate must be proficient with Microsoft Office suite, including Outlook, Word, and Excel. Lead Counsel must have a commitment to working with indigent clients and to working as part of a client-centered defense team. It is essential that Lead Counsel have empathy and compassion towards clients and a dedication to advocacy on behalf of those sentenced to death. Excellent research, writing, and communication skills are essential. Substantial familiarity with civil procedure or post-conviction processes is preferred. Lead Counsel must be detail-oriented and able to exercise sound professional judgment. The ability to interact with diverse individuals, including but not limited to clients, their families, prosecutors, other attorneys, investigators, judges, court clerks, experts, fact witnesses, and members of the public, is essential. Lead Counsel must be able to manage an active caseload of at least three capital cases at various stages of proceedings in the district court and on appeal. Lead Counsel must be able to maintain client confidentiality and work independently with minimal supervision, or collaboratively with other team members, as the situation demands. Lead Counsel must be able to work occasional evenings and weekends to meet deadlines and hearing schedules.