Litigation Fellow

Logo of the Tennessee Innocence Project featuring a bird holding a branch, soaring over the outline of Tennessee. Text reads: "Exonerating the wrongfully convicted." The design symbolizes hope in litigation efforts led by dedicated fellows.

Job Title: Litigation Fellow (Location: Memphis, TN)
Reports to: Legal Director
Hours: Full Time, salaried

About the Role:

The Litigation Fellow at the Tennessee Innocence Project (TIP) is a detail-oriented and motivated individual with a strong interest in the legal profession and a passion for advancing justice. This role is critical to TIP’s efforts to exonerate wrongfully convicted individuals by managing records collection, supporting investigative efforts, and contributing to paralegal tasks under attorney supervision.

Working closely with the Legal Director and TIP attorneys, the Litigation Fellow will ensure that each application is thoroughly reviewed and documented, while also assisting with case development and legal support. This position offers foundational experience in criminal law and an opportunity to contribute to meaningful work freeing the innocent across Tennessee.

The Litigation Fellow is a two-year position, ideal for recent graduates or early-career professionals considering attending law school in the future.

Essential Functions include:

Litigation Support

  • Organize and maintain case files, ensuring all documents are accurately filed and easily accessible.
  • Support attorneys in trial preparation by organizing exhibits, coordinating witness schedules, and managing trial documents.
  • Prepare and file legal documents with courts, ensuring compliance with court procedures and deadlines.
  • Assist TIP staff with investigative efforts for current TIP clients, including fact-finding, evidence review, and case analysis.
  • Assist with legal research to support case development.

Records and Case Management

  • Request and obtain records from a wide variety of government agencies.
  • Organize records requests and track completion of records.

Intake Review

  • Review applications for representation with precision and attention to detail.
  • Collect and organize case data for accurate record-keeping and analysis.
  • Assist with action recommendations at each stage of the application process.
  • Correspond with applicants to provide updates and request additional information as needed.

Who You Are

  • Detail-Oriented: You understand the importance of accurate data and precision in documentation.
  • Organized: You thrive in managing multiple tasks and deadlines while maintaining a clear and systematic workflow.
  • Collaborative: You excel in working both independently and as part of a team, contributing to collective goals.
  • Motivated: You are passionate about advancing justice and eager to learn from experienced legal professionals.

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree required.
  • Strong organizational and time-management skills.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills.
  • Familiarity with legal terminology, procedures, and documentation preferred.
  • Proficiency in conducting legal research preferred.
  • Legal or paralegal experience is a plus but not required.

About the Tennessee Innocence Project:

Launched in February 2019 as Tennessee’s first full-time innocence organization, the Tennessee Innocence Project (TIP) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit law firm dedicated to freeing the wrongfully convicted across the state of Tennessee. With offices in Nashville and Memphis, TIP is committed to addressing the systemic injustices that lead to wrongful convictions while empowering our clients to reclaim their lives.

Compensation

Salary: $40,000 per year.
Benefits: Two weeks paid time off per year, health insurance, and short-term/long-term disability insurance.
How to Apply

To apply, please submit a cover letter, resume, and three professional references to hayden@tninnocence.org with the subject line: Litigation Fellow Application.

To apply for this job please visit www.tninnocence.org.

  • Full Time
  • Memphis
  • 40,000 USD / Year
  • Salary: 40,000

Tennessee Innocence Project

Full Time

Memphis

  • Salary: 40,000
  • To apply for this job please visit www.tninnocence.org.