Attorney I - Violations Unit (Act 44)

Montgomery County Pennsylvania; Norristown (Montgomery County); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Montgomery County Public Defender's Office seeks an Attorney I for its Violations Unit to represent adults facing probation and parole violations in hearings such as Gagnon I/II, detention, and probation reviews. The role emphasizes thorough case review, client communication, and collaboration with the legal team.

Applicants must have a JD from an ABA‑accredited school and PA bar admission or eligibility, with a PA driver’s license. Spanish proficiency is preferred.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of the criminal justice system and probation/parole violation and Act 44 proceedings.
• Excellent organizational, presentation, and communication skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to public service.
• Spanish language proficiency preferred.

Responsibilities

• Represent and advocate for clients at court proceedings.
• Represent clients in detention hearings, probation and parole violation hearings, extradition hearings, state parole hearings, probation review conferences, or other hearings as assigned.
• Conduct client interviews in the Montgomery County Correctional Facility and other jails and prisons as necessary.
• Review and distill discovery received from the Commonwealth and explain the strengths and weaknesses of the client’s case to the client.
• Prepare persuasive legal arguments to advocate for the client’s interest at each stage of the legal proceedings.
• Collaborate with social service advocates, investigators, and other members of the legal team.
• Engage in holistic representation practices that assist the client in collateral matters affecting the direct legal representation of the client.
• Perform related work at the request of the Chief Defender or Chief Deputy Public Defender when necessary.

Skills

Criminal justice knowledge

Organizational skills

Presentation skills

Communication skills

Public service mindset

Spanish language proficiency

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) from ABA-accredited law school

Job description

The Montgomery County Public Defender's Office is currently hiring for an Attorney I position in the Violations Unit. This unit represents adult clients facing probation and parole violations in related proceedings such as Gagnon I/II hearings, detention hearings, and Act 44 probation review conferences.

*Position covered by a collective bargaining agreement.

• Represent and advocate for clients at court proceedings.
• Represent clients in detention hearings, probation and parole violation hearings, extradition hearings, state parole hearings, probation review conferences, or other hearings as assigned.
• Conduct client interviews in the Montgomery County Correctional Facility and other jails and prisons as necessary.
• Review and distill discovery received from the Commonwealth and explain the strengths and weaknesses of the client’s case to the client.
• Prepare persuasive legal arguments to advocate for the client’s interest at each stage of the legal proceedings.
• Collaborate with social service advocates, investigators, and other members of the legal team.
• Engage in holistic representation practices that assist the client in collateral matters affecting the direct legal representation of the client.
• Perform related work at the request of the Chief Defender or Chief Deputy Public Defender when necessary.

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements

• A Juris doctorate from an ABA-accredited law school.

Licensing and Certifications

• Admitted to practice law in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, or eligible for admission pursuant to Rule 311 of the Pennsylvania Bar Admission Rules.
• Valid Pennsylvania driver’s license and reliable transportation.

Competencies, Skills and Other Experience

• Knowledge of the criminal justice system and of probation/parole violation and Act 44 proceedings.
• Excellent organizational, presentation, and communication skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to public service.
• Spanish language proficiency preferred.

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Regularly required to stand, walk, sit, see, talk, and hear.
• Significant and repeated use of a keyboard.
• Ability to travel to other County locations and secured facilities to meet with clients and stakeholders.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EOE

Montgomery County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.