Assistant Defender - Fall 2026

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.