Thursday, February 26, 2009; 12:30 p.m.

On February 18, the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) released its long-awaited study of forensic science labs.  The study, launched in 2005 at the behest of Congress, found that America's crime labs are underfunded, understaffed, and frequently rely on forensic methods that have not been scientifically verified. (more…)

The Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project seeks a Virginia DNA Staff Attorney to coordinate MAIP's involvement in a groundbreaking project in which the Commonwealth of Virginia is performing post-conviction DNA testing in nearly 1,000 old cases in which biological evidence was saved by the state crime laboratory between 1973 and 1988 (before DNA testing was used in courts).  For a complete job announcement and application instructions, please see below. 

Virginia DNA Staff Attorney 

The Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project (MAIP) is a non-profit corporation dedicated to the correction and prevention of wrongful convictions in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia.  For almost two years, MAIP has been intimately engaged in a groundbreaking project in which the Commonwealth of Virginia is performing post-conviction DNA testing in nearly 1,000 old cases in which biological evidence was saved in the state crime laboratory between 1973 and 1988 (before DNA testing was used in courts). 

Some of the defendants in these cases have been notified by letter about this project, and more than 50 of them have contacted MAIP and are claiming innocence.  In the next few months, many more defendants are likely to be notified about this project via pro bono attorneys trained in part by MAIP.  Thus, we anticipate many more innocence claims in the months ahead.   

MAIP recently has received a grant to assist us with the increasing demands of this work and therefore is seeking a staff attorney to coordinate several aspects of this project, including representation of potentially innocent defendants; training, recruiting, and co-counseling with pro bono lawyers; and other advocacy intended to ensure the fair treatment of all individuals affected by the new testing.

The Staff Attorney’s duties will include:

• Working with pro bono lawyers at an area law firm to screen the innocence claims.  This will include factual assessments, reviewing the DNA test results, consulting with experts, working with the defendants themselves, and working to obtain the necessary legal and scientific documents.

• Recruiting, training, and supervising pro bono lawyers who will co-counsel with MAIP in the representation of the defendants whose cases we accept.

• Co-counseling with those firms in the representation.

• Managing a panel of DNA experts who are reviewing the cases.

• Working with the Virginia State Bar to help train and monitor the pro bono lawyers notifying defendants.

• When exonerations do occur, helping to coordinate post-exoneration services and compensation; studies of the causes of wrongful conviction in those cases; and media coverage.

• Working with the Executive Director to ensure that any systematic problems with the testing or process are exposed and addressed by the relevant Commonwealth agencies.

• Other duties that might arise in the general management of this project.

• Other MAIP duties, as appropriate.

Qualifications:

• Excellent writing and editing skills.

• Excellent organizational skills.

• Ability to communicate with a diverse group of people, including prisoners, law firm attorneys, and state officials.

• Criminal law or litigation experience preferred.

• Ability to juggle multiple tasks.

• Ability to conduct some travel within the Commonwealth of Virginia.

• Some understanding of DNA testing methodologies a plus but not required.

• Virginia Bar membership or willingness to take the Virginia Bar preferred.

Salary: Commensurate with experience.

Education: J.D. Required

Application Deadline: Open until filled

Please send resume, cover letter, writing sample, and three references via mail or email to:

 The Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project is an equal opportunity employer and encourages people of color, women, and LBGT persons to apply.

The National Academy of Sciences will publish a report later this month that calls into question the practices of forensic laboratories. Forensic labs work with evidence such as fingerprints and blood spatters, and have been popularized by shows such as CSI.