Managing Staff Attorney

Department Sch of Law-Nwk, Dean's Office

Salary Details $110,000-$140,000 Grant Funded Offer and employment is contingent upon the availability of funding and/or program needs.

Offer Information
The final salary offer may be determined by several factors, including, but not limited to, the candidate's qualifications, experience, and expertise, and availability of department or grant funds to support the position. We also take into consideration market benchmarks, if and when appropriate, and internal equity to ensure fair compensation relative to the university's broader compensation structure. We are committed to offering competitive and flexible compensation packages to attract and retain top talent.

Benefits:
Rutgers provides a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. The specific benefits vary based on the position and may include:

• Medical, prescription drug, and dental coverage
• Paid vacation, holidays, and various leave programs
• Competitive retirement benefits, including defined contribution plans and voluntary tax-deferred savings options
• Employee and dependent educational benefits (when applicable)
• Life insurance coverage
• Employee discount programs

Posting Summary
Rutgers Law School seeks to hire a full-time Managing Staff Attorney for the New Jersey Innocence Project at Rutgers University. The attorney will provide legal representation and informal advocacy to those seeking exoneration for wrongful conviction. The attorney will also oversee the project's case screening and investigation processes, collaborate with pro bono partners, work with an established Advisory Board, and, in collaboration with the director, seek sources of external funding. Finally, the attorney will participate in statewide justice reform initiatives and community education efforts. The Managing Attorney may be resident at either the Newark or Camden location of the Law School, depending on the preference of the successful candidate.

Position Status Full Time
Posting Number 25FA0958
Posting Open Date 10/13/2025
Posting Close Date 11/14/2025

Qualifications:
Minimum Education and Experience:

• Must have an earned JD or LLB degree, be admitted to the Bar of any state, and, if not admitted to the New Jersey Bar, be willing and eligible to seek admission immediately.
• Minimum of 5-7 years of experience practicing criminal defense or handling innocence cases in New Jersey (preferred) or another jurisdiction

Certifications/Licenses
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Preferred Qualifications:

• Passion for representing wrongfully convicted people
• Prior experience in policy advocacy, preferably in the areas of wrongful convictions and criminal and juvenile legal system reform
• Experience serving in a leadership role in a mission-driven setting
• Experience with budget oversight
• Professional legal criminal defense experience, with preference given to those with experience in post-conviction litigation in state and/or federal courts
• Ability to develop strong relationships across a diverse spectrum of stakeholders, and to work well with leaders in the private, government, and not-for-profit sectors
• Organizational acumen
• Ability to work well with partners and partner organizations
• Excellent public speaking and communication skills
• Development and fundraising experience

Equipment Utilized
Must have a valid driver's license.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:
Must be willing to travel regularly between the Camden and Newark campuses. Additional travel may be necessary.

Overview:
Legal casework & policy reform

• Providing legal representation to individuals who claim actual innocence and managing legal representation by partner entities
• Working with and supervising staff, pro bono counsel, students, and others during the investigation and litigation of cases
• Identifying causes of wrongful convictions and meaningful potential reforms directed at preventing them

Management of the day-to-day operations of the NJ Innocence Project

• Providing leadership and maintaining a collaborative culture that attracts, retains, and motivates a diverse and talented staff
• Supervising NJ Innocence Project staff members
• Developing and managing the budget
• Maintaining complete and accurate records and analyzing data
• Reporting as required to funders and Rutgers' senior administration
• Fulfilling all reporting requirements for membership in the National Innocence Network
• Representing the Project at national and regional conferences

Developing and managing strategic partnerships

• Maintaining a positive relationship with Rutgers Law School administration, faculty, staff, and students
• Cultivating strategic relationships with individuals and entities, such as the New Jersey courts, law firm pro bono departments, the New Jersey Office of Public Defender's Post-Conviction Unit, the New Jersey Attorney General's Conviction Review Unit, and others, with the aim of enhancing the effectiveness of the Innocence Project's work
• Educating the public about wrongful convictions and building community support for innocence work
• Building a community of exonerees and exoneree families
• Developing strategic relationships with other innocence organizations

Development and fundraising

• Working collaboratively with the project Director and reporting regularly as required
• Developing and executing development goals and strategies

Coordinating student involvement

• Liaise with relevant faculty members

The Managing Staff Attorney will supervise three Rutgers staff members. The Managing Staff Attorney will also supervise volunteers and individuals external to the university. The number of volunteers and external workers will fluctuate in accordance with the case load.

• Two Research Associates (Part-Time Staff Attorneys), Law School
• One Senior Administrative Assistant (Paralegal), Law School (not yet posted or hired)
• Volunteers, Internal (including from Criminal Justice Program, School of Social Work, Law School, Forensic Science) and External to the University

Investigator, External Consultant
Pro Bono Lawyers, Law School & External to University