The Montgomery County Office of the Public Defender is accepting applications for the position of Assistant Public Defender. This position is for a trial attorney with significant experience in representing adult/juvenile clients in all phases of the adult/juvenile process from the time the case is received by the adult/juvenile Clerk of Courts or, if applicable, the preliminary hearing/detention/intake hearing stage, through trial and any sentencing/disposition to ensure that client’s due process rights are protected. This position’s requirements may also involve significant experience in representing clients in the appellate process from the initial filing of the notice of appeal through the Pennsylvania appellate court system.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include representing clients during all phases of the criminal justice process, including preliminary hearings, pre-trial motions practice, bench and jury trial, post-sentencing litigation, and appeals.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; and talk and hear. The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands or arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision and depth perception.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential function.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• JD Degree
• Admission to Bar of Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
• Significant Criminal Trial experience required
• Minimum of ten years of criminal defense experience
• Minimum of ten cases that went to jury.
• Excellent research and writing skills
• Must be able to multi-task and work under pressure
• Mobility important for courtroom work and for client/witness/expert meetings
• Must be able to perform legal services as are required to assure that each indigent defendant receives competent representation throughout the criminal justice process.
To apply, please visit www.montcopa.org/jobs.aspx