Assistant Chief - Appellate Division

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Monitoring and evaluating performance of Appellate Division Attorneys and providing guidance as needed.
• Working to teach Assistant District Attorneys in the Division by objectively assessing adequacy of case on appeal and making recommendations regarding brief-writing and appellate advocacy.
• Taking necessary action to ensure conviction integrity.
• Make oneself available to Assistant District Attorneys during all hours to assist and advise them in their challenges with appeals or post-sentencing matters.
• Identifying ineffective and/or unsuitable Division procedures.
• Collaborating with Professional Standards Deputy District Attorney to identify, establish, and enforce policy designed to promote best practices.
• Growing and honing knowledge of appellate advocacy and complex legal issues to become an expert in the field and provide sound guidance to Assistant District Attorneys.
• Participating in community partnerships through individual relationships with various community agencies and committee meetings.
• Implementing training and educational programs in conjunction with Division Chief and Professional Standards Deputy District Attorney to ensure staff compliance with applicable ethical and legal obligations.
• Assigning appeals and post-conviction matters to Appellate Division Assistant District Attorneys, as directed by the Appellate Division Chief.
• Drafting appellate briefs in all types of criminal matters and arguing the cases before the Pennsylvania Superior Court, the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court, Pennsylvania Supreme Court, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court.
• Preparing responses, arguing, and litigating evidentiary hearings in opposition to Post Conviction Relief Act petitions on behalf of the Commonwealth in the Court of Common Pleas of Montgomery County.
• Preparing responses, arguing, and litigating evidentiary hearings in opposition to petitions for a writ of habeas corpus on behalf of the Commonwealth in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Philadelphia.
• Providing guidance to trial prosecutors regarding legal issues that arise before, during, or after trial to ensure a record is adequately preserved to ensure Commonwealth’s success in the event of an appeal or post-conviction action.
• Reviewing new court decisions and new court rules and recommending internal changes to meet requirements.
• Regularly reviewing both the Pennsylvania Rules of Appellate Procedure and the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure to ensure that all prosecutors are in compliance with those rules.
• Advising the District Attorney on potential Commonwealth appeals in the state and federal appellate courts and litigating those appeals when pursued by the Commonwealth.
• Researching legislative issues.
• Reviewing applications for clemency and requests for pardons filed with the Board of Pardons and recommending dispositions.
• Assisting with maintaining case statistics; preparing and filing division reports as required.
• Reviewing defendants’ filings to ensure the integrity of the conviction.

Qualification Requirements

• Law Degree and Pennsylvania Bar admission.
• Supervisory/Management experience.
• Minimum of five years’ criminal prosecution and/or appellate experience.
• Good communications skills, both oral and written.
• Strong decision-making skills.
• Analytical skills.
• Strong research and writing skills.
• Appellate advocacy skills.
• Trial advocacy skills.
• Knowledge of the criminal justice system.
• Knowledge of Pennsylvania legal and ethical standards applicable to prosecutors.
• Familiarity with District Attorney’s Office structure, mission and policies.
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize tasks.
• Time management skills.