Assistant Public Defender

Assistant Public Defender

The Montgomery County Public Defender's Office is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Assistant Public Defender for our Fall 2026 class. This role is designed for individuals who have graduated from law school but not yet been admitted to the bar. While awaiting bar results, candidates will serve in the role of "Law Clerk." During that time they will receive comprehensive training, shadow experienced attorneys, and perform legal research and writing. After passing the bar exam, candidates will transition to the role of Assistant Public Defender. Candidates who do not pass the bar exam on their first attempt will remain in the Law Clerk role and may retake the bar exam one more time. Position covered by a collective bargaining agreement.

Key Responsibilities:

• Training and Development: Participate in structured training programs designed to provide the knowledge and skills necessary for the role of an Assistant Public Defender.
• Shadowing Attorneys: Accompany and observe experienced attorneys in various phases of legal proceedings to gain practical insights and experience.
• Legal Research and Writing: Conduct thorough legal research and draft legal documents, motions, briefs, and other necessary paperwork under the supervision of experienced attorneys.
• Client Interaction and Inmate Visits: Engage with clients, including visiting recently incarcerated clients, to understand their cases, gather relevant information, and provide updates on case progress.
• Transition to Assistant Public Defender: Upon passing the bar exam, transition to the role of Assistant Public Defender, taking on full responsibilities as an Assistant Public Defender.
• Continued Support: If the bar exam is not passed on the first attempt, continue to support the Public Defender's Office in the capacity of Law Clerk and prepare for the next available bar exam.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist in the direct personal consultation with public defender clients from the inception of legal proceedings through their completion.
• Prepare persuasive legal arguments to advocate for the client's interest at each stage of the legal proceeding.
• Oversee the discovery, collection, and presentation of all facts that support a client's interests at each stage of the legal proceedings.
• Engage in holistic representation practices that attempt to assist the client in collateral matters impacting direct legal representation.
• Work within the organization to advocate for structural change benefiting the interest of public defender clients.
• Perform related work at the request of the Defender or First Assistant when necessary.

Qualification Requirements:

• Law school graduate who has taken the Pennsylvania Bar Exam and is awaiting results or is scheduled to take the next available bar exam.
• Intention to practice law in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania upon passing the bar exam.
• Excellent organizational, presentation, and communication skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to public service.
• Knowledge of the criminal justice system is preferred.
• Strong work ethic and ability to manage a demanding workload.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.

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.