Death Penalty

JOB OPENING: Director, Office of the Post-Conviction Defender

The Post-Conviction Defender Oversight Commission is taking applications for the position of Director of the Office of the Post-Conviction Defender.

Location: Nashville, Tennessee
Department: Office of the Post-Conviction Defender
Position Available: Immediately
Position Closing: The deadline for submission of applications is Monday, December 31, 2012 @ 11:59 p.m. EDT.

Description: The Office of the Post-Conviction Defender is an independent agency of state government. The primary responsibility of the Post-Conviction Defender is to represent persons convicted and sentenced to death in Tennessee in collateral litigation. The Office has cases throughout the state and is the presumptive appointee in all capital post-conviction cases. The duties of the Post-Conviction Defender are defined in Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-30-206. The Director of the Office of the Post-Conviction Defender will manage a staff currently comprised of approximately seventeen people, including eight attorneys.

To Apply
If you are interested in serving in this position, please send your resume, cover letter, references, and any other supporting documentation to Mr. Shoaf and Mr. Bowers at:

Mr. N.B. Forrest Shoaf, Esq.
Attorney at Law
529 Ridgecrest Lane
Lebanon, TN 37087

Keith Bowers, Jr.
Attorney at Law
Keith Bowers, Jr. & Associates
3863 Highway 19E
Elizabethton, TN 37643-5355

(Posted 12/5/12)

-----------

JOB OPENING: STATE OF TENNESSEE OFFICE OF THE POST-CONVICTION DEFENDER

Staff Attorney: The Tennessee Office of the Post-Conviction Defender is accepting applications for a staff attorney position.
TNPCDO is an independent agency of the Tennessee state government. The agency represents people sentenced to death in Tennessee and provides assistance and educational resources to appointed counsel in capital cases. Direct representation is focused upon the investigation and presentation of post-conviction claims in state courts. The office also handles some federal court litigation. TNPCDO has cases throughout Tennessee and travel is required.

Applicants must be team-oriented and possess a demonstrated commitment to indigent criminal defense. Candidates with significant litigation experiences as well as those with less experience but a commitment to high quality capital defense are encouraged to apply. Capital post-conviction, trial, habeas, or appellate experience is preferred. Applicants must be admitted to the bar in Tennessee, eligible for admission, or willing to sit for and pass the next bar exam.

TNPCDO is an equal opportunity employer. Salary is statutory and based on experience. Health insurance and other benefits provided.

Interested candidates should send a cover letter discussing their special experience and talents and explaining their interest in death penalty work, resume, professional references, and a brief writing sample to YorkL@tnpcdo.net or to State of Tennessee Office of the Post-Conviction Defender, 530 Church Street, Suite 600 PO BOX 198068 Nashville, TN 37219-8068

(Posted 11/21/2012)

--------------

JOB OPENINGS: TEXAS REGIONAL PUBLIC DEFENDER FOR CAPITAL CASES

Assistant Public Defender to be responsible for providing legal representation for capital defendants in criminal proceedings and ensuring their constitutional rights are upheld. Serve as lead counsel in some cases. Oversee and participate in preparation, presentation and disposition of cases. Requirements: J.D./LL.B. from an accredited law school. Must be a member in good standing of the State Bar of Texas; have trial experience in the use of and challenge to mental health or forensic expert witnesses; have at least five years experience in criminal law and have tried to verdict as lead counsel a significant number of felony trials. Positions available in Wichita Falls and Midland, Texas. Salary, $95,000.00 Closing Date: Open until filled.

Mitigation Specialist to work with attorneys and other specialists in an effort, as part of a team, to mitigate and therefore minimize the assessment of punishment in capital cases. The purpose of the mitigation specialist is to prevent, in the event of a conviction, the client from receiving the death penalty. Requirements: Bachelor's degree with three years defense experience including collaborating effectively in a team, or be a Masters level Social Worker with Licensed Clinical Social Work licensure with two years mitigation experience. Previous capital mitigation experience preferred. Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred. Valid Texas driver's license, reliable transportation and an ability and willingness to travel extensively. Have the ability to organize and prioritize workload to manage cases efficiently; ability to adjust to workload to manage cases efficiently; ability to testify in court in a direct, clear and concise manner. Position will office in Wichita Falls, Texas. Salary, $52,000. Closing Date: Open until filled.

Investigator to be responsible for interviewing witnesses, clients and victims in the conduct of investigations; obtains, preserves, records and analyzes evidence for the defense of clients represented by the Public Defender's Office; locate witnesses for the defense; and other duties as assigned. Requirements: Three years of substantial criminal investigative experience, paralegal experience, or related education, training and/or investigative experience which provides the knowledge and skill requirements. Ability to keep accurate notes and records and prepare and present clear, concise and comprehensive reports. Must have the ability to understand legal codes, cases and technical material in such disciplines as medicine, physical and social sciences; ability to obtain information through interview and interrogation and to assess the credibility of witnesses; ability to testify in court in a direct, clear and concise manner. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with attorneys, representatives of other agencies, clients, family member of clients, the public and co-workers. Position will office in Wichita Falls, Texas. Salary, $45,000. Closing Date: Open until filled.

Applicants may go to https://apps.co.lubbock.tx.us/application/joblist.asp to view job description and fill out an application. Our website is at http://www.rpdo.org/ to learn more about our program.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Special Report
(Washington Post)

Death Penalty Information Center
What's new from DPIC