Staff Attorney, UCIP Team

California Appellate Project (San Francisco)

. Oversee a caseload of unrepresented incarcerated capitally sentenced people .

Posted 10/6/2026full-timeSan Francisco • California • United StatesLead💰 $90,000 - $105,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in capital trial and appellate representation, with strong legal analysis and writing skills. Proven ability to manage multiple litigation tasks while advocating for indigent defendants and conducting interdisciplinary research.

Highest-signal resume keywords

California Bar AdmissionLitigation SkillsCapital Trial RepresentationLegal Research (Westlaw, Lexis)Project Management

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Legal AnalysisWriting SkillsHabeas Corpus RepresentationDeath Penalty JurisprudenceRecord CollectionCase Information ReportsIntake ProceduresAdministrative AppealsInterdisciplinary ResearchClient Advocacy

Soft Skills

Communication SkillsOrganizational SkillsProblem-SolvingNegotiation SkillsConflict Resolution

Tools & Technologies

Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)WordPerfectLegal Research Databases

Certifications & Qualifications

California Bar Admission

Industry Keywords

Indigent DefenseDeath Row InmatesRacial Justice ActCAP ProjectsCPRAFOIAHIPAA

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Oversee a caseload of unrepresented incarcerated capitally sentenced people
Conduct intake and initial record collection for new clients
Work with trial counsel, collect trial files, and draft Case Information Reports
Become familiar with case facts and briefing, evaluate cases for Racial Justice Act review and second look sentencing, and review transcripts or supervise law student interns
Maintain ongoing contact with clients, families, and witnesses
Gather records and life history documents and locate witnesses
Assist incarcerated clients with administrative appeals and other prison issues
Train and supervise law and paralegal students
Serve as research attorney on document gathering and records collection, including CPRA, FOIA, and HIPAA issues
Prepare for and participate in CAP's New Case Trainings
Conduct interdisciplinary research and continuing education
Assist with urgent, time-sensitive UCIP and CAP projects
Travel to correctional facilities around California to meet with clients
Provide vigorous advocacy for indigent death row inmates challenging convictions and sentences on direct appeal and through habeas corpus proceedings

Requirements

What you’ll need

Admission to the California Bar
At least two years of law practice
Proven litigation skills
Substantial experience in capital trial, appellate, and/or habeas corpus representation preferred
Superior legal analysis and writing skills
Understanding of death penalty jurisprudence
Demonstrated commitment to vigorous advocacy on behalf of indigent defendants
Knowledge of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), WordPerfect, and legal research databases such as Westlaw and Lexis
Ability to manage multiple litigation tasks under time constraints and interruptions
Exceptional written and oral communication skills
Proven organizational and project management skills, including planning, negotiating, problem-solving, and conflict resolution
Ability to travel to correctional facilities statewide
Ability to obtain clearance to visit a prison
Submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and three references

Benefits

Comp & perks

Hybrid schedule available
Office close to public transportation
Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity and inclusion