Deputy Attorney General I

Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General • Pittsburgh/Harrisburg/Norristown/Philadelphia, PA

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

This is an appellate position in the Office of Attorney General’s Criminal Law Division, within the Appeals and Grand Jury Section. The section represents the Commonwealth in direct appeals from criminal convictions, proceedings under the Pennsylvania Post Conviction Relief Act (PCRA), and federal habeas corpus litigation. It also provides legal advice and support to attorneys in the Office and throughout the Commonwealth on law-enforcement matters. Cases arise from prosecutions within the Office’s jurisdiction and referrals from local District Attorneys due to a lack of resources or a conflict of interest.

The role requires excellent written and oral advocacy, sound prosecutorial judgment, and the ability to manage an independent caseload. Attorneys are headquartered at a specific location, with travel necessary for hearings in state post-conviction and federal habeas actions and for appellate arguments. The position reports to the headquartered location at least two days per week; telework may be available for the remainder of the week, if desired and based on business need.

This is a full-time, non-civil-service, non-union position with work hours of 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The listed locations are Harrisburg, Norristown, Philadelphia, or Pittsburgh. Starting salary is $69,927.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited school of law.
• Admission to the Bar of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.
• Excellent written and oral advocacy skills.
• Ability to exercise sound prosecutorial judgment and manage an independent caseload.
• Travel as needed for state post-conviction and federal habeas hearings and appellate arguments.

Responsibilities

• Represent the Commonwealth, defending judgments of sentence during direct and PCRA appeals.
• Respond to petitions under the Post Conviction Relief Act and other post-conviction motions, and represent the Commonwealth in related evidentiary hearings.
• Represent the Commonwealth in federal habeas corpus litigation by drafting answers, responding to motions, and appearing in federal court evidentiary hearings.
• Represent the Commonwealth as the appellant in criminal matters.
• Provide legal advice and support to attorneys in the Office and throughout the Commonwealth on law-enforcement matters.
• Manage an independent caseload and exercise sound prosecutorial judgment.
• Perform additional and related work as required.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree