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Position Overview The Frank J. Remington Center at the University of Wisconsin Law School invites applications for a two-year Post-Conviction Litigation Fellowship. The Fellow will develop and advance strategic litigation addressing two critical issues in Wisconsin criminal law: discretionary parole release and juvenile life without parole (JLWOP) sentencing. **This position is fully remote; candidates need not be located in Wisconsin.
About the Remington Center The Remington Center houses seven in-house clinics serving clients incarcerated in prisons throughout Wisconsin. Clinic students receive intensive clinical training while providing direct representation to incarcerated people. Several Remington Center clinics — including the Second Look Clinic, Criminal Defense & Youth Advocacy Clinic, and Legal Assistance to Incarcerated People — represent people serving decades-long sentences who are seeking post-conviction relief.
Fellowship Focus Areas Discretionary Parole. Wisconsin's parole grant rate is among the lowest in the nation — under 9% in 2025, and just 4% in 2024. Nearly 1,600 people in Wisconsin prisons remain on parole-eligible sentences imposed before the state's 1999 shift to determinate sentencing. Juvenile Life Without Parole. Wisconsin is one of a small minority of states that continues to permit JLWOP sentences, many of them imposed during the tough-on-crime era. Despite dramatic developments in neuroscience and constitutional law recognizing children's diminished culpability and capacity for rehabilitation, people serving JLWOP sentences in Wisconsin have never had their sentences reviewed in light of this changed understanding. The Wisconsin Supreme Court has not revisited the constitutionality of JLWOP since 2012. The Fellow will develop legal challenges to these sentences under federal and state law and pursue other available post-conviction remedies. Juvenile Life Sentence Commutation. In April 2026, Governor Evers established a new commutation pathway specifically for people serving juvenile life sentences in Wisconsin. The Fellow may assist current and prospective clients in navigating this process, including developing templates and protocols to support this work for Remington Center clients.
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This is a fixed-term position, and a one-year period of evaluation will be required. The fellowship appointment may be extended for an additional year, depending upon performance and department need. This is a two-year, grant-funded position. Salary minimum $75,000 ANNUAL (12 months). Salary commensurate with experience. |
| Percent Time: | 100% |
| Start Date: | On or around August 1, 2026 |
| Contact Name: | Nick Thuot-Petkovich |
| Contact Address: | Law Building, 975 Bascom Mall, Madison, WI 53706-1399 |
| Contact Phone: | 608-262-1002 |
| Contact Email: | fjrc@law.wisc.edu |
To Apply
Please send cover letter and resume to Nick Thuot-Petkovich, FJRC Program Assistant at fjrc@law.wisc.edu by the full consideration date of July 5, 2026, but applications may be accepted until the position is filled.
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Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgrounds and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website.
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Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment.
The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).
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