Attorney/ Advocate

Office of Capital & Forensic Writs (OCFW)
We are a small, close‑knit public defender office in Austin, Texas, providing zealous, client‑centered post‑conviction representation to persons facing the death penalty or serving prison sentences for convictions tainted by flawed forensic science.

Second, we handle post‑conviction challenges for non‑capital inmates where questionable forensic science, negligence, or misconduct contributed to their conviction.

OCFW is hiring an attorney to represent our clients in post‑conviction proceedings. All attorneys work as part of a team of advocates who bring a wide and diverse range of professional and life experiences. We specifically seek candidates with Spanish language skills.

The staff attorney will work on multi‑disciplinary teams to provide holistic, post‑conviction representation to clients in state proceedings. Building rapport with and counseling clients;

Investigating and drafting claims;

Appellate advocacy in the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals and the United States Supreme Court;

Staff attorneys should expect to work some evenings, weekends, and holidays. Travel throughout Texas is required.

Applicants should have an established capacity or demonstrated aptitude for excellence in capital defense, strong written and oral advocacy skills, work well in teams, and approach work in an organized fashion.

Member of the Texas State Bar or eligible for admission within six months of employment (The Texas Bar allows admission without examination for certain applicants who have practiced law for at least five of the last seven years and for UBE admission. A strong commitment to the representation of death‑sentenced persons and persons from marginalized communities;

Ability to work collaboratively in team settings, strengths in teamwork, and relationship building;

Excellent research, writing, and courtroom advocacy skills;

At least two years of experience representing low‑income clients at trial, on appeal, or in post‑conviction as a public defender or in a similar advocacy role (credit also given for judicial clerkship experience).

Ability to work collaboratively in team settings with strengths in teamwork, client relations, investigation, and relationship building;

Fluency in Spanish.

Additional Qualifications for Attorney III/IV/V Positions
Legal research, writing, oral advocacy and investigation;

Handling cases with large amounts of data and information;

Planning, organizing and prioritizing work;

Pursuant to state law, OCFW may not employ an attorney who has been found by a state or federal court to have rendered ineffective assistance of counsel;

Ability to operate standard office equipment and software;

Ability and willingness to travel throughout Texas and, on occasion, out of state; frequent travel is required for this position.

State Classification: Attorney II/III/IV/V
The Office of Capital & Forensic Writs is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, sex, religion, age or disability in employment or the provision of services. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, any request for reasonable accommodations needed during the application process should be communicated by the applicant to Joy Right, the Office of Capital & Forensic Writs Senior Accountant, at joy.