Assistant Chief - Appellate Division

Montgomery County•Norristown, PA

12d•Onsite

About The Position

The Assistant Chief of the Appellate Division provides managerial support to the Division Chief. This position directly supervises, trains, monitors, and mentors Assistant District Attorneys in the Unit. It cultivates and implements best practices in the post-sentencing and appellate stages of litigation and identifies administrative issues in the post-sentencing and appellate pipeline, problem-solving to ensure efficient and fair prosecution. The Assistant Chief is also responsible for the preparation and presentation of criminal cases before various state and federal appellate courts, including drafting briefs, arguing cases, and handling post-conviction evidentiary hearings. This role also involves editing briefs and post-conviction responses prepared by other attorneys.

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.

Responsibilities

Monitoring and evaluating performance of Appellate Division Attorneys and providing guidance as needed.
Teaching Assistant District Attorneys by assessing case adequacy on appeal and making recommendations regarding brief-writing and appellate advocacy.
Ensuring conviction integrity.
Being available to Assistant District Attorneys 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.
Honing knowledge of appellate advocacy and complex legal issues to become an expert and provide sound guidance.
Keeping abreast of statutory changes, evolving case law, available investigative tools, and oral advocacy techniques.
Participating in community partnerships through individual relationships with various community agencies and committee meetings.
Implementing training and educational programs to ensure staff compliance with applicable ethical and legal obligations.
Assigning appeals and post-conviction matters to Appellate Division Assistant District Attorneys.
Drafting appellate briefs and arguing cases before state and federal appellate courts.
Preparing responses, arguing, and litigating evidentiary hearings in opposition to Post Conviction Relief Act petitions.
Preparing responses, arguing, and litigating evidentiary hearings in opposition to petitions for a writ of habeas corpus.
Providing guidance to trial prosecutors regarding legal issues to ensure a record is adequately preserved for appeals or post-conviction actions.
Reviewing new court decisions and rules and recommending internal changes.
Regularly reviewing procedural rules to ensure compliance.
Advising the District Attorney on potential Commonwealth appeals and litigating those appeals.
Researching legislative issues.
Reviewing applications for clemency and requests for pardons and recommending dispositions.
Assisting with maintaining case statistics and preparing division reports.
Reviewing defendants’ filings to ensure the integrity of the conviction.
Summarizing recent case law for a Law Enforcement Newsletter.
Conducting legal research and preparing legal memoranda offering guidance to attorneys.