Attorney I - Violations Unit (Act 44)

Montgomery County (PA); Norristown (Montgomery County); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Montgomery County Public Defender's Office in Norristown, PA seeks an Attorney I for the Violations Unit to represent adult clients facing probation and parole violations. You will handle hearings, client interviews, and evidence review, delivering thorough advocacy at each stage.

The role emphasizes collaborative work with social service advocates and investigators, with an emphasis on holistic representation and professional growth within a unionized office.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Admitted to practice law in Pennsylvania, or eligible for admission under Pa. Bar rules.
• Valid PA driver's license and reliable transportation.
• Knowledge of the criminal justice system and probation/parole proceedings.
• Spanish language proficiency preferred.

Responsibilities

• Represent clients at court proceedings in the Violations Unit.
• Represent clients in detention, probation/parole, extradition, state parole, and review hearings as assigned.
• Conduct client interviews at Montgomery County facilities and other locations.
• Review and distill discovery with explanations of strengths/weaknesses to clients.
• Prepare persuasive legal arguments for all stages of proceedings.
• Collaborate with social service advocates, investigators and team members.
• Engage in holistic representation to assist clients with collateral matters.
• Perform related duties as directed by supervisors.

Skills

Criminal law knowledge

Litigation

Spanish (preferred)

Education

Juris Doctorate (ABA-accredited)

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.