Assistant Defender - Fall 2027 Cohort

Qualifications

Successful applicants will demonstrate:

• A strong commitment to indigent defense and/or criminal litigation
• Relevant experience through law school clinical programs, internships, trial advocacy coursework, or a comparable litigation background
• Mastery of the rules of evidence, criminal and constitutional law, statutory interpretation, and professional ethics
• The ability to build trust with clients from diverse backgrounds and experiences
• Demonstrated interest in working with racially and socioeconomically oppressed individuals and communities
• Willingness to collaborate across disciplines within the Defender office
• The ability to travel to courtrooms and correctional facilities throughout Philadelphia

Pay

Barred Attorneys: $75,000
Non-Barred Applicants: $55,000
Third-year law students who plan to sit for the Pennsylvania Bar Exam immediately after graduation are encouraged to apply.

How to Apply

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and law school transcripts online. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Benefits & Perks

• Comprehensive Benefits: Affordable medical care options plus employer-paid vision, dental, life, and long-term disability insurance
• Generous Time Off: An initial Twenty-five (25) days of paid time off (PTO) annually, in addition to all Federal Holidays
• Wellness Initiatives: Dedicated, separate sick leave policy alongside organizational wellness programming to support your physical and mental health
• Family Support: Twelve (12) weeks of paid parental leave
• Retirement: Generous 403(b) retirement plan with a 3% employer match plus an additional 1% employer incentive payment
• Commuter Benefits: Free SEPTA (public transit) All-Access Key Card
• Professional Growth: Ongoing professional training and development, including institutional memberships in the Public Defender Association of Pennsylvania, the Philadelphia Bar Association, and the National Association of Public Defenders
• Free CLE credits and reimbursement for yearly Pennsylvania Attorney Registration fees
• Malpractice Coverage: Fully covered malpractice insurance for all attorneys
• Culture: Meaningful, mission-driven work within a deeply supportive team
• Student Loan Benefits: The Defender is a qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program

Employment Protections

Employment protections of the Collective Bargaining Agreement commence following an introductory 120-day probationary period.