Pennsylvania Innocence Project

Managing Attorney for Intake and Case Evaluation

Job Description

Locations: Temple University Center City, 1515 Market Street, Suite 300, Philadelphia, PA (main office) and Duquesne University, Tribone Center for Clinical Legal Education, 912 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA

Mission: ​The Pennsylvania Innocence Project is a non-profit, public interest law firm. Our mission is to exonerate those convicted of crimes they did not commit, to prevent innocent people from being prosecuted and convicted, and to help those wrongfully convicted transition to freedom. Learn more about the Pennsylvania Innocence Project at https://painnocence.org/.

Position Summary: The Pennsylvania Innocence Project is seeking a highly organized and self-driven attorney to join its legal team as the Managing Attorney for Intake and Case Evaluation (“Managing Attorney”). The Managing Attorney will work with, and be supervised by, the Executive Director, Legal Director, and Deputy Legal Director. The Managing Attorney will manage the Project’s case intake and evaluation process, including supervising our Intake Coordinator and Paralegal and coordinating the case evaluation activities of more than 100 legal interns and pro bono attorneys each year. The Managing Attorney will be responsible for ensuring that the Project’s case evaluation process is thorough and efficient so that we are screening cases as effectively and quickly as possible. The Managing Attorney will also coordinate the Project’s field investigation work by serving as the point person for our contract investigators and will assist with litigation as necessary. The Managing Attorney will be based in the Philadelphia office but will support case work statewide; some travel to the Pittsburgh office and throughout Pennsylvania is required. The position will be available in May 2026.

Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor degree and admission to the Pennsylvania bar required, or willingness to immediately take the necessary steps to gain admission in Pennsylvania.
• A minimum of 3years of post-law school legal experience, but 5-7 years of experience preferred.
• Candidate must be willing to travel throughout Pennsylvania for cases, training, and other job-related activities.
• Interest in criminal law and innocence work with prior experience in post-conviction and appellate litigation preferred.
• Prior supervision experience preferred.
• Experience with SharePoint and case management systems.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Commitment to teamwork.

Responsibilities:

• Manage case intake and evaluation process: Acquaint interns and pro bono attorneys with the Project’s case evaluation process and supervise case review projects; work with the Project’s Intake Coordinator and Paralegal to assign case review projects to legal interns and volunteer lawyers; identify and work to remove roadblocks in the case evaluation process; make recommendations to the rest of the legal staff regarding whether cases should be closed or advanced for more in-depth review, investigation, and/or representation; present cases identified for representation to the Project’s Case Review Committee.
• Track data regarding the case evaluation process: Keep data on all aspects of the case evaluation process, including the number of cases assigned or awaiting assignment at each stage of the process as well as tracking ultimate outcomes. Identify areas of improvement for the existing Salesforce database.
• Recruit and train volunteers: Arrange and lead training sessions on the Project’s case evaluation process for law students, paralegals, and attorneys who wish to volunteer their services to conduct case evaluations. Work with the Project’s Staff Attorney to coordinate the Project’s summer internship program.
• Supervision: Supervise the Project’s Intake Coordinator and Paralegal in their roles, which revolve around providing support to various stages of the case evaluation process; supervise the Project’s Staff Attorney on intake-related components of their work; supervise and coordinate the field investigation work of the Project’s contract investigators.
• Client and prospective client engagement: Communicate with current and potential clients regarding the status of their matters and provide regular updates to applicants on the progress of their case evaluations.
• Litigation support: Provide support to the Legal Director and Deputy Legal Director in managing the Project’s litigation case load, including drafting pleadings and briefs, preparing for hearings, and presenting cases to District Attorneys’ Offices.

Salary: $75,000-$85,0000, depending on level of experience, plus benefits (health, dental, and long-term disability insurance, 401k, and generous paid time off) and support for professional development, including local and regional training opportunities.

To Apply ​
Please upload the materials below to:  https://templeuniversity.applytojob.com/apply/V1GdD2pDVB/Managing-Attorney-For-Intake-And-Case-Evaluation 

• Cover letter
• Resumé
• Writing sample

The Pennsylvania Innocence Project is an equal opportunity employer. The Project does not discriminate in the selection of employees based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, sexual identity, age, national origin, disability, or veteran status.