The LCAC is looking for a full-time, first chair capital trial attorney. See below for details and please forward to anyone who might be interested.

1. Introduction

The Louisiana Capital Assistance Center (LCAC) is a not-for-profit law office based in New Orleans, Louisiana committed to excellence in the provision of defense services to indigent clients facing the death penalty.

The LCAC is principally a trial level office, representing indigent clients at trial in cases throughout Louisiana. In addition, the LCAC provides resource and consultative services to other capital trial counsel throughout Louisiana. The LCAC is involved in the representation of a smaller number of capital defendants in post-verdict cases in Louisiana and in state or federal post-conviction in Texas, Mississippi and Louisiana.

The LCAC is committed to the following values:
* excellence in the provision of capital defender services for
indigent defendants, accepting that ABA Guidelines for high quality representation in capital cases set a minimum standard in the field;
* client-centered and relationship based work that respects the
humanity and dignity of all involved in the criminal justice system;
* innovation and creativity in the provision of capital defense
services;
* the elimination of racism and other forms of discrimination in
the criminal justice system.

The LCAC delivers capital defense services through a staff of dedicated attorneys and fact and mitigation investigators, as well as contracting with outside counsel, mitigation specialists and other experts. The LCAC emphasizes team based defense and a holistic approach to questions of culpability and mitigation.

The LCAC has been in operation for over a decade and is located at The Justice Center in New Orleans, a building it shares with other not-for-profit offices working with indigent clients in the criminal justice system, including, the Capital Appeals Project of Louisiana and Innocence Project New Orleans. Further details are available at our
website: www.thejusticecenter.org.

2. Role

The primary function of the capital trial attorney is the representation of indigent defendants facing capital charges at trial level in Louisiana. The role also includes participation in and provision of training and consultative services as well as additional service provision as required by the office.

Duties

Trial Level Representation
As a part of a defense team, the capital trial attorney will be involved in and/or take direct responsibility for the provision of effective assistance of counsel in accordance with the ABA Guidelines for the Appointment and Performance of Defense Counsel in Death Penalty Cases,
including:
* Development and implementation of case theory, investigation
and
litigation strategies;
* Management and conduct of pre-trial, trial and post-trial
negotiations and litigation;
* Development and maintenance of effective working relationships
with clients and significant others in cases;
* Investigation, preparation and presentation of evidence at
pre-trial hearings and in culpability and penalty phases of trial;
* Identification, selection, preparation and use of expert
witnesses;
* Trial advocacy, including jury selection, opening and closing
statements, examination and cross-examination of witnesses etc.;
* Legal research, analysis and drafting of litigation documents,
including motions, briefs and applications for supervisory review;
* Management and maintenance of case files and additional
materials .

Training
* Attendance at and participation in in-house and external
trainings directed to improving and enhancing the attorney's skill set in the provision of capital defender services;
* Design, preparation and presentation of in-house and external
trainings in areas of specialized knowledge or interest.

Consultative Services
* Providing advice and litigation support services on a
consultative basis to other capital defense practitioners as appropriate to the skills and experience of the attorney.

Additional services
* Providing additional services and performing other duties from
time to time as the needs of the office dictate.

5. Selection Criteria

Applications will be judged according to the following criteria (in no particular order) and applicants are expected to address the criteria in their application:

Essential
* Meet the requirements for certification in Louisiana as capital
trial lead counsel, in particular:
o be an experienced and active trial practitioner with at least
five years of litigation experience;
and
o have prior experience as lead counsel in no fewer than nine
jury
trials tried to completion; of these nine jury trials, at least five must have involved felonies or two must have involved the charge of murder;
o have prior experience as lead counsel or associate counsel in
at
least one case in which the death penalty was sought and was tried through the penalty phase or have prior experience as lead counsel or associate counsel in at least two cases in which the death penalty was sought and where, although resolved prior to trial or at the guilt phase, a thorough investigation was performed for a potential penalty phase;
or
o meet the five year experience requirement and substantially
meet
the latter two requirements while having other qualifications and experience that demonstrate the competency and commitment necessary to serve as lead counsel in capital cases.
* A knowledge of and familiarity with the standard of care for
the
provision of capital defender services contained in the ABA Guidelines for the Appointment and Performance of Defense Counsel in Death Penalty Cases;
* Demonstrated skill and experience in delivery of criminal
defense services at trial level;
* A commitment to excellence in the provision of capital defender
services;
* Strengths in team work, client relations and relationship
building;
* A commitment to working with clients in poverty;
* Creativity and energy in approaching indigent defense and
capital representation;
* Familiarity and proficiency with word processor software and
legal research software;
* Licensed in Louisiana or willing to take February 2008
Louisiana
bar exam.

Non-Essential but desirable

* Licensed in Louisiana;
* Extensive experience in capital casework;
* Experience or training in mental health and race in the
criminal
justice system;
* Experience working with disadvantaged client groups;
* Computer literacy in additional useful software such as
spreadsheet and database programs, case management software.

6. Salary & Benefits
* the position is full time with a 6 month probationary period
and
a two year minimum commitment. Attorneys are not permitted to maintain a private practice or perform work outside of the office;
* Salary range: $75,000 to $80,000, depending on experience. 5%
employer contribution to 401(k);
* 100% contribution to health insurance for employee and
dependents including dental;

7. Application Process

Applications should be submitted in writing or electronically to Kim Watts, 636 Baronne Street, New Orleans La 70113, kimw@thejusticecenter.org. Applicants should submit an application cover letter addressing the selection criteria and include a current CV, legal writing sample and contact details for references. It is very important that the application address the selection criteria.

The LCAC is an equal opportunity employer.