Employment: California Appellate Project San Francisco

Employment at CAPSF

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
SAN FRANCISCO OFFICE
OF THE CALIFORNIA APPELLATE PROJECT
JOB POSTING

THE ORGANIZATION
The California Appellate Project (CAP) is a non-profit organization established by the
State Bar of California as a legal resource center to implement the constitutional right to
counsel for indigent persons facing execution. The San Francisco office of CAP (CAPSF)
serves the largest population of condemned individuals in the country (more than
700 men and women) and is funded by a contract with the Judicial Council of
California.

CAP-SF assists private counsel appointed by the California Supreme Court to represent
indigent defendants in capital cases challenging their convictions and sentences on
direct appeal and in habeas corpus proceedings, and provides them with professional
training and litigation resource materials. In addition, CAP-SF assists unrepresented
death row inmates by collecting and preserving evidence for their post-conviction
claims, and by providing needed advocacy before counsel is appointed. At the request
of the judiciary, CAP-SF also consults on policy matters regarding indigent defense
representation in capital cases.

POSITION SUMMARY
In accordance with CAP's mission and operational policies, the Associate Director
partners with the Executive Director in the overall direction and management of the
office and its activities, in consultation with the Board of Directors, including planning
and decisions related to personnel, services, technology, finances, supervision of various
departments and teams. The Associate Director would be expected to carry a small caseload
assisting appointed counsel. The Associate Director would also participate in meetings with
the California Supreme Court and the Administrative Office of the Courts, negotiate contracts,
and produce reports for the California Supreme Court.

QUALIFICATIONS
1. Juris Doctorate.
2. Admission to the California State Bar.
3. Strong writing and legal research skills.
4. Prior death penalty experience.
5. Senior-level leadership/management experience, with significant experience
successfully managing financial activities, administrative operations and human
resources, budgeting, contract administration and strategic planning, preferably in
the nonprofit sector.
6. Demonstrated problem-solving and decision-making abilities, particularly in
resolving challenging situations.
7. Demonstrated ability to set priorities, track and monitor performance, complete
projects, and report on multiple projects and programs concurrently.
8. Demonstrated success in effectively leading and developing staff, with the
capacity to ensure accountability, develop, retain, inspire and motivate a diverse,
high-performing staff.
9. Demonstrated comfort with and commitment to working with and on behalf of
people of diverse backgrounds, cultures, socio-economic levels, and perspectives.

THE DESIRED CANDIDATE
The desired candidate will have a passion for, and believe strongly in, CAP's mission of
providing high quality support and resources to private attorneys representing indigent
defendants on death row. This candidate will be credible, competent, highly motivated,
energetic, organized, and possess strong interpersonal skills, integrity, and a vigorous
work ethic. She or he will have the ability to build a working team internally and
cultivate a goals-oriented, congenial, innovative work environment. She or he can both
lead and manage, and bring technical proficiency and strategic vision to the organization.
Please note: The California Appellate Project is strongly committed to diversity and
equal opportunity. We encourage candidates of all ages, races, sexual orientations,
national origins, ethnicities, and religions to apply.

TO APPLY:
Please submit a cover letter describing your interest in this position, relevant work
experience, resume, references, and salary requirements to: hiring@capsf.org

CAP employs attorneys, caseworkers, and law student interns to accomplish its work. Their responsibilities involve working on issues of general importance to capital litigation: reviewing case records; preparing research memoranda, pleadings, briefs, and other legal documents; client relations; case assistance to appointed panel attorneys; case investigation; preparing training and resource materials; digesting recent case decisions; and participating in the development of litigation strategies.

The selection process for attorneys, fellows, and interns is ongoing. To apply for these positions, please submit a cover letter (indicate the position in which you are interested and when you are available), a résumé, a writing sample, and the names and telephone numbers of two references familiar with your skills and experience. If you are interested in a staff position, please send your email to hiring@capsf.org. If you are a law student interested in interning for CAP, please send your email to internships@capsf.org.

We particularly value experience working with people of backgrounds similar to those of our clients and their communities. Since nearly all of the men and women on California’s death row are from deprived backgrounds, and the majority are people of color, we request that applicants relate how their life experience, training, and work history have prepared them to understand and work well with the clients we serve and their communities.

The California Appellate Project, an equal opportunity employer, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation, age, or any other criteria protected under federal, state or local law. In our continuing effort to attain greater diversity within our organization and to improve the quality of services we provide to a diverse client base, we actively encourage applications from members of groups, including racial and ethnic minorities, that are under-represented in the legal profession.

Disclosure Privacy Policy