Policy Counsel

# Policy Counsel

## About the Innocence Project
The Innocence Project works to free the innocent, prevent wrongful convictions, and create fair, compassionate, and equitable systems of justice for everyone. Our work is guided by science and grounded in anti-racism. Since our inception, the Innocence Project has used DNA and other scientific advancements to prove wrongful conviction. To date, we have helped to free or exonerate more than 250 people who collectively spent more than 3,600 years behind bars. Our efforts have led to the passage of more than 200 transformative state laws and federal reforms.

Today, the Innocence Project continues to fight for freedom, drive structural change, and advance the innocence movement. To learn more, please visit [www.innocenceproject.org].

## About the Position
The Policy Department advances the Innocence Project’s reform agenda by promoting state and federal policies that strengthen the fairness and reliability of the criminal legal system and aim to reduce the risk of wrongful convictions. The team leads advocacy campaigns across key issues, including state-level legal reforms and national efforts to improve the scientific foundation and equitable use of forensic and investigative methods.

Under the leadership of the Director of Policy, the department sets reform strategy, manages campaigns and external partners, and drives progress toward ambitious policy goals while maintaining an inclusive and values-driven approach to criminal legal reform.

The Policy Counsel will play a significant role in advancing the Policy Department’s policy efforts by collaborating in the development of department strategies, researching and analyzing legislation, managing in-depth legal research (including 50-state comparisons of key criminal justice statutes), analyzing recent case law and court rules, drafting and reviewing legislation, monitoring federal policy proposals, leading and managing the high court rules strategy, collaborating across departments, assisting in the development of advocacy materials, and translating complex legal issues into accurate and understandable policy messages for multiple audiences.

The goal of this position is to accelerate the Policy Department’s impact in achieving transformative policy change.

The Policy Counsel must be skilled at legal and policy research, collaborative, an excellent writer, detail-oriented, and highly organized. They must be self-directed, exercise sound judgment, operate independently, and possess a high degree of knowledge of legal issues impacting wrongful convictions. This position reports directly to the Director of Policy and works closely with the entire Policy team.

We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. However, we are not able to sponsor visas and we are not an e-verify employer.

The duties of this position require approximately 40 hours of work per week to be performed virtually/in-office. This position requires the ability to travel roughly 5% of the time. We currently have a hybrid in-office model, with all employees in the office three days per week and the remainder of the week remotely. Wednesday is our organization’s “anchor day” where all staff works in the office. The number of required in-office days is subject to change.

## The Ideal Candidate
The Innocence Project seeks a strategic, collaborative, and mission-driven attorney with exceptional legal research, policy analysis, and writing skills, and a demonstrated commitment to criminal legal reform. The ideal candidate excels at translating complex legal issues into clear, persuasive language for a wide range of audiences in the policy setting, thrives in cross-functional and coalition-based environments, and can independently manage multiple priorities while maintaining meticulous attention to detail.

They are a proactive problem-solver and an insightful thought partner with experience in legislative and court rule advocacy, a strong understanding of legal issues surrounding wrongful convictions, and the ability to build trusted relationships with diverse stakeholders.

In addition, the ideal candidate models our IP Values of accountability, collaboration, empathy + compassion, equity, person-centeredness, quality focus, and self-awareness. All Innocence Project employees must embrace, respect, and value the rich diversity of perspectives and lived experience of our staff. We recognize and appreciate that our work is better for having varied participants and thought partners. The ideal candidate thrives in this type of environment.

## Essential Job Functions

### Law and Policy Research
– Track, monitor, and analyze proposed laws, regulations, and emerging legal developments at the federal, state, and local levels related to criminal legal legislation, particularly those affecting revealing, correcting, or preventing wrongful convictions.
– Support state-based policy campaigns with research and analysis, including:
– State-by-state comparisons of specific criminal justice laws and policies.
– Analysis of legislation relating to IP’s policy reforms, including legislative histories and fiscal notes.
– Analysis of court decisions and case law that affect our policy reform agenda.
– Develop policy materials such as fact sheets for use by network partners; respond to requests for information and materials; provide relevant training for network members in settings such as webinars, the policy symposium, and the network conference.
– Perform in-depth legal research and draft policy and advocacy materials, including multi-state landscapes, position papers, reports, memos, white papers, op-eds, and formal comments on proposed rulemakings.
– Draft and amend legislation and proposed regulations and court rules in collaboration with state policy advocates and other staff.
– Track, monitor, and report on developing areas of case law, active litigation, and court rule amendments in substantive issue areas related to the Innocence Project’s state policy agenda.
– Manage the Policy Department’s library of materials and continuously update with new content; conduct periodic audits; advise the Department and Director of significant developments impacting legislative issue areas.
– Assume a leading and strategic role in new Department initiatives as assigned by the Director of Policy.
– Respond to inquiries by Post-conviction Litigation or Strategic Litigation staff attorneys to provide legislative history research and draft legal memoranda; collaborate with Data Science & Research projects; interface with all programmatic departments.
– Draft and submit comments to state court rule proposals, amendments, and executive orders.
– Advise the Policy Department on emerging legal, legislative, technological, and other developments in innocence issue areas.
– Develop strategy, lead implementation, and provide resources for the Innocence Project’s court rule reform agenda; draft and submit state court rule proposals, comments, and amendments.
– Synthesize and organize complex information into clear and well-written briefing materials for members of the Policy Program.
– Assist the Director of Policy with managing the federal legislative agenda and executive branch orders and directives.
– Assist Policy Advocates in developing support materials (including case law reviews, testimony, policy advocacy planning, and legal research) for Network partners and lobbyists as needed in service of state policy campaigns.
– Aid the policy team with preparation of testimony, briefings, webinars, and other external engagements.
– Develop external relationships with national criminal legal reform organizations.
– Cross-Department Collaboration: Partner with internal departments—such as Strategic Litigation, Post-conviction Litigation, and Data Science and Research—to identify emerging issues and opportunities, align policy strategies, and monitor litigation developments.
– Review, summarize, and educate Policy and other IP staff on relevant legislative and policy developments.
– Lead hiring and supervision of legal interns, externs, and fellows.

### External Events
– Assist with organizing policy-based working groups with external partners.
– Attend conferences, symposia, and meetings to develop professional relationships that support the mission.
– Represent the Innocence Project in coalitions, task forces, and working groups.
– Serve as a legal policy resource to Innocence Network partners.
– Attend legislative sessions and hearings in collaboration with state policy advocates.
– Represent the Innocence Project on conference panels, webinars, podcasts, and other media.

## Qualifications & Experience
– Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school is required.
– Current member, in good standing, of the New York bar or eligibility for admission via motion pursuant to Section 520.10 within 6 months of start date is required.
– At least 3 years of public policy experience within government or an issue-advocacy organization.
– High degree of knowledge on court rule-making authority and process; familiarity with best practices and strategies for court rule advocacy.
– Experience conducting policy and legal research, including ability to use LexisNexis and/or WestLaw.
– Ability to travel roughly 5% of the time.
– Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.

### Preferred Qualifications
– Experience authoring articles, position statements, or white papers on criminal law reform and/or public policy.
– Experience translating complex information and developing materials for policy initiatives or campaigns.
– Experience facilitating and assisting with large-scale legal projects.
– Active participation in coalitions or large groups; proven ability to synthesize group goals and collaborate effectively.

## Key Competencies + Values
– Excellent written and oral communication skills: ability to write clearly and concisely, distill complex legal or technical concepts into understandable and persuasive language for non-legal audiences, the public, and policymakers; ability to deliver public testimony and policy briefings.
– Outstanding legal analysis and problem-solving skills; keen attention to detail; ability to navigate ambiguous policy questions with tight deadlines.
– Ability to contextualize complex concepts, conduct thorough research, and identify key information relevant to policy priorities.
– Curious, flexible, creative, and comfortable working in fast-paced or changing environments; strong organizational and planning skills; superb attention to detail; ability to navigate competing priorities.
– Demonstrated relationship builder who can cultivate trust with external stakeholders, coalition partners, and legislative staff; highly collaborative team player.
– Motivated self-starter who can proactively identify needs, take charge of tasks, and independently drive work forward with a positive attitude.
– Exceptional logical reasoning skills with the ability to break down complex concepts.
– Enthusiasm for the work of the Innocence Project and social justice; demonstrated commitment to public interest.
– Shared commitment to IP’s values of accountability, collaboration, empathy + compassion, equity, person-centeredness, quality focus, and self-awareness.

## Compensation, Benefits & Perks
The salary for this position is highly competitive. The Innocence Project offers an excellent benefits package, including fully-paid individual health, dental, and vision insurance; Flexible Spending Account; 401k plan with 6% company match; paid disability and family care leave; adoption and fertility expense reimbursements; and company-paid transportation benefits.

## Workforce Diversity and Equal Opportunity
The Innocence Project considers workforce diversity vital to meeting its mission. We strongly encourage applicants from all cultures, races, educational backgrounds, life experiences, socio-economic classes, sexual orientations, age, gender, and physical abilities to apply. Individuals with personal connections to the criminal legal system are strongly encouraged to apply.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, familial status, marital status, genetic characteristics, domestic violence victim status, unemployment status, caregiver status, or any other category protected by law.

Upon submission of your application, you will be requested to complete an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) survey. This voluntary and confidential survey helps us track progress in creating a fair and equitable environment. Identities presented reflect federal language required by law. We acknowledge limitations in these terms and strive to humanize our internal practices.

## Application Instructions
To apply, please click the provided link. Upload a resume titled with your name in this format: last name_first name_resume. In the space provided, add a cover letter expressing your interest in the role and the organization’s work. Only applications with cover letters will be considered complete. Information submitted through this secure site is kept confidential.

## Salary Range
$108,375 to $127,500. Salary commensurate with experience.