Assistant Public Defender - Appellate Attorney

About the role

The Montgomery County Public Defender's Office is now hiring for the position of Assistant Public Defender. The successful candidate will be assigned to the Appellate Unit of the office.

Responsibilities

• Reviewing trial court records, pleadings, transcripts, exhibits, and other materials necessary to evaluate and litigate appellate issues.
• Conducting client interviews and maintaining attorney-client communication regarding appellate proceedings, strategy, and case developments.
• Researching and analyzing constitutional, statutory, procedural, and evidentiary issues relevant to criminal appeals and related post-conviction matters.
• Preparing notices of appeal, docketing statements, appellate briefs, petitions, motions, and other filings in the trial and appellate courts.
• Presenting oral argument before appellate courts when required or appropriate.
• Preparing post-sentence motions and related filings as assigned to preserve issues for appellate review.
• Representing clients in matters related to state parole hearings and administrative appeals, as assigned.
• Collaborating with trial attorneys, investigators, social service advocates, paralegals, and other members of the legal team to ensure thorough, client-centered representation.
• Engaging in holistic representation practices that attempt to assist the client in collateral matters that impact the direct legal representation of the client.
• Working within the organization to advocate for structural change that will benefit the interests of public defender clients;
• Performing related work at the request of the Chief Defender, Deputy Chief, or Chief of Appeals when necessary.

Qualifications

• Licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or eligible for admission pursuant to Rule 311 of the Pennsylvania Bar Admission Rules.
• J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Valid Pennsylvania driver’s license and reliable transportation.
• Spanish language proficiency preferred.

Experience and Skills

• Knowledge of the criminal justice system and demonstrated strength in legal research and persuasive writing;
• Appellate experience preferred, including preparation of briefs, petitions, and other post-sentence or appellate filings;
• Judicial clerkship experience or comparable writing-intensive legal experience will also be considered;
• Excellent organizational, analytical, presentation, and communication skills;
• Demonstrated commitment to public service;
• Microsoft Office and general computer competence.