Assistant Defender - Fall 2026
About The Position
The Defender Association of Philadelphia is a non-profit law firm dedicated to providing high-quality, 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 critical role in supporting our clients and communities. Our mission extends beyond the courtroom. We are committed to advocating for clients from the earliest stages of the legal process through post-incarceration, with a focus on minimizing system involvement and mitigating the harm caused by prolonged criminal justice contact. 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 class of Assistant Defenders. Following an intensive, month-long training program, new attorneys begin practicing in preliminary hearings and then progress through rotations including misdemeanor trials, felony waiver trials, juvenile adjudicatory hearings, and jury trials. Each transition is supported by targeted training to ensure readiness for the next stage of practice. 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 and programs is available on our website.
Requirements
- A strong commitment to indigent defense and/or criminal justice reform
- Relevant experience through clinical programs, trial advocacy coursework, or comparable work
- Familiarity with rules of evidence, criminal and constitutional law, statutory interpretation, and professional ethics
- 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.
Responsibilities
- Provide high-quality, client-centered legal representation to individuals facing criminal charges.
- Work as part of an interdisciplinary team including social workers, investigators, mitigation specialists, and administrative professionals.
- Advocate for clients from the earliest stages of the legal process through post-incarceration.
- Minimize system involvement and mitigate harm caused by prolonged criminal justice contact.
- Provide representation from preliminary arraignments through appeals.
- Engage in zealous courtroom representation.
- Participate in active community engagement through initiatives such as Participatory Defense Hubs, expungement clinics, and other outreach events.
- Practice in preliminary hearings.
- Rotate through misdemeanor trials, felony waiver trials, juvenile adjudicatory hearings, and jury trials.
- Commit to a three-year term.
Benefits
- Comprehensive benefits package, including affordable options for medical care
- Employer-paid vision insurance
- Employer-paid dental insurance
- Employer-paid life insurance
- Employer-paid long-term disability insurance
- 35 days of paid time off annually
- All federal holidays off
- Eight weeks of paid parental leave
- 403(b) retirement plan with employer match
- Free SEPTA All-Access Key Card
- Ongoing professional training and development
- Meaningful, mission-driven work within a supportive team
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
