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Mitigation Specialist/Investigator

This job listing has already closed.
Location: Mecklenburg
Position Type: Full-time
Closing Date: July 31, 2024

The Federal Public Defender for the Western District of North Carolina seeks a Mitigation Specialist/Investigator for the Capital Habeas Unit for the Fourth Circuit (“the CHU”) in Charlotte, North Carolina.

This regional CHU represents indigent prisoners under state and federal sentences of death imposed within the Fourth Circuit’s appellate jurisdiction. We have an active caseload in the United States District Court for South Carolina, the three United States District Courts for North Carolina, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the Supreme Court of the United States.

Job Description: The Mitigation Specialist/Investigator will assist with the full scope of our work, which includes all stages of federal habeas corpus proceedings, as well as stay litigation, competency proceedings, method of execution challenges, and executive clemency. Core duties include: assisting attorneys in investigating and developing clients’ life history evidence in support of a sentence less than death; identifying other avenues of investigation and conducting relevant interviews; conducting culturally-competent interviews of the clients, their families, and any other persons knowledgeable about the clients’ life history or family history; reviewing, analyzing, and organizing voluminous case files and other documents; identifying and initiating new areas of investigation; gathering and assessing documentary and other evidence; drafting documentary evidence, such as memoranda, affidavits, genealogies, and social history reports; working with experts; serving subpoenas; maintaining familiarity with corrections’ procedures and developing rapport with corrections’ personnel; and assisting with hearings. The Mitigation Specialist/Investigator will work collaboratively with paralegals and under the supervision of an attorney. We anticipate all members of a case team will contribute to discussions of case strategy. The position requires extensive overnight travel and work outside of business hours, including weekends and holidays.