Assistant Defender - Fall 2027 Cohort

Defender Association of Philadelphia•Philadelphia, PA

23h•$55 - $75,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Defender Association of Philadelphia is a non-profit law firm dedicated to providing exceptional, client-centered legal representation to individuals facing criminal charges in Philadelphia. Our attorneys work as part of an interdisciplinary team that includes social workers, investigators, mitigation specialists, and administrative professionals—each playing a vital role in advocating for our clients and strengthening our communities. Our mission extends beyond the courtroom. We are committed to advocating for clients at every stage of the legal process from arrest to reentry with the goal of minimizing system involvement, reducing collateral consequences, and addressing the harms caused by prolonged contact with the criminal legal system. Representing approximately 70% of individuals charged with crimes in Philadelphia, the Defender Association is organized into specialized practice units that provide representation from preliminary arraignments through appeals. Our model of client-centered advocacy is grounded in both zealous courtroom representation and active community engagement through initiatives such as Participatory Defense Hubs, expungement clinics, and other outreach events. Each year, we welcome a new cohort of Assistant Defenders. Cohort members begin with an intensive month-long training program focused on litigation skills, client-centered advocacy, and courtroom practice. Our new attorneys begin practicing in preliminary hearings and then progress through rotations including misdemeanor trials, misdemeanor and felony pretrial, felony waiver trials, and jury trials. Each stage of practice is accompanied by targeted training, mentorship, and supervision to ensure attorneys are prepared for increasing responsibility. Given the depth of training and the holistic nature of our model, we ask all new attorneys to commit to a three-year term. More information about our office, trial practice units and client representation model can be found on our website.

Requirements

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
Ability to travel to courtrooms and correctional facilities throughout Philadelphia
Third-year law students who plan to sit for the Pennsylvania Bar Exam immediately after graduation are encouraged to apply.
Applicants who are licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania are also encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

Provide exceptional, client-centered legal representation to individuals facing criminal charges.
Advocate for clients at every stage of the legal process from arrest to reentry.
Minimize system involvement, reduce collateral consequences, and address harms caused by prolonged contact with the criminal legal system.
Engage in zealous courtroom representation.
Participate in community engagement through initiatives such as Participatory Defense Hubs, expungement clinics, and other outreach events.
Begin practicing in preliminary hearings.
Progress through rotations including misdemeanor trials, misdemeanor and felony pretrial, felony waiver trials, and jury trials.
Collaborate across disciplines within the Defender office.

Benefits

Affordable medical care options plus employer-paid vision, dental, life, and long-term disability insurance.
An initial Twenty-five (25) days of paid time off (PTO) annually, in addition to all Federal Holidays.
Dedicated, separate sick leave policy alongside organizational wellness programming to support your physical and mental health.
Twelve (12) weeks of paid parental leave.
Generous 403(b) retirement plan with a 3% employer match plus an additional 1% employer incentive payment.
Free SEPTA (public transit) All-Access Key Card.
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.
Fully covered malpractice insurance for all attorneys.
Meaningful, mission-driven work within a deeply supportive team.
The Defender is a qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.