Chief of Litigation Support

County of Delaware; Media (Delaware County); On-site; USD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

The Delaware County Office of the Public Defender seeks a Chief of Litigation Support to mentor new litigators, supervise the Harm Reduction Unit, and enhance holistic defense practices. You will coordinate trial strategy, staff training, and case management to ensure high-quality advocacy for clients in Delaware County.

You will oversee training on litigation issues, support trial teams, and collaborate with senior leadership to advance the Office's mission and standards of practice.

Qualifications

• PA license to practice law or reciprocity.
• At least 3 years as a licensed attorney.
• Experience litigating suppression, discovery and other motions.
• Experience in bench and jury trials.
• Knowledge of Delaware County criminal justice system.
• Experience mentoring junior attorneys in public interest settings.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills.
• Robust work ethic and ability to manage a heavy workload.
• Strong relationship-building skills.

Responsibilities

• One-on-one training and support of Assistant Public Defenders new to litigation and trial practice.
• Training and support of Assistant Public Defenders handling complex or novel litigation issues.
• Support of the Chief of Adult Trial with case review, case management, and oversight of the Adult Trial Unit, as needed.
• Management of the Harm Reduction Unit caseload for the Office of the Public Defender.
• Training, supervision, and staffing of all Assistant Public Defenders assigned to the Harm Reduction Unit.
• Supervision of support staff assigned to the Harm Reduction Unit, including social workers, investigators, paralegals, and administrative staff.
• Maintaining a caseload when feasible.
• Identifying, developing, and executing plans for areas of operational improvement within the Office, specifically related to litigation.
• Developing and implementing trainings on litigation issues, with a focus on holistic representation practices.
• Advocating for structural change and adherence to national and statewide best practices that will benefit the interests of public defender clients.
• Working with other members of the management team to advance the mission of the Office of the Public Defender.
• Performing related work at the request of the Public Defender or First Assistant Public Defender, when necessary.

Skills

Litigation support

Trial practice

Mentoring

Case management

Leadership

Public defense

Education

Juris Doctor / JD

Licensed to practice in PA

Tools

Westlaw

LexisNexis

Job description

The Delaware County Office of the Public Defender provides legal representation to individuals facing a loss of freedom in the criminal, delinquency, and mental health systems in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. The office employs roughly 70 attorneys and staff to provide zealous advocacy for our clients. The office represents several thousand clients each year in the District Justice Courts, the Court of Common Pleas, Juvenile Court, and the Appellate Courts of Pennsylvania.

Under the general supervision of the Public Defender and First Assistant Public Defender, the Chief of Litigation Support provides mentorship, training, and ongoing trial support to attorneys, with a particular focus on those who are new to litigation. This position supports the Chief of Adult Trial with case review, case management, and oversight of the Adult Trial Unit to ensure the effective delivery of high-quality legal representation.

In addition, the Chief of Litigation Support oversees the Office's Harm Reduction Unit, providing leadership and strategic direction to support the continued growth and success of this specialized program. The Chief is responsible for developing innovative litigation training, strengthening the Office's trial practice through individualized coaching and mentorship, and ensuring that the Office's holistic defense model remains central to the Office's litigation strategy and advocacy.

The duties of this position include, but are not limited to:

• One-on-one training and support of Assistant Public Defenders new to litigation and trial practice.
• Training and support of Assistant Public Defenders handling complex or novel litigation issues.
• Support of the Chief of Adult Trial with case review, case management, and oversight of the Adult Trial Unit, as needed.
• Management of the Harm Reduction Unit caseload for the Office of the Public Defender.
• Training, supervision, and staffing of all Assistant Public Defenders assigned to the Harm Reduction Unit.
• Supervision of support staff assigned to the Harm Reduction Unit, including social workers, investigators, paralegals, and administrative staff.
• Maintaining a caseload when feasible.
• Identifying, developing, and executing plans for areas of operational improvement within the Office, specifically related to litigation.
• Developing and implementing trainings on litigation issues, with a focus on holistic representation practices.
• Advocating for structural change and adherence to national and statewide best practices that will benefit the interests of public defender clients.
• Working with other members of the management team to advance the mission of the Office of the Public Defender.
• Performing related work at the request of the Public Defender or First Assistant Public Defender, when necessary.

• Demonstrated commitment to public defense work.
• Licensed and admitted to practice law in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, or the ability to gain admission to the Pennsylvania Bar via reciprocity.
• A minimum of three years' experience representing clients as a licensed attorney.
• Experience litigating suppression, discovery, Tender Years, change of venue, dismissal, post-trial, and other motions, required.
• Experience litigating bench and jury trials, required.
• Knowledge of the operations of the Delaware County criminal justice system and Magisterial District Court system.
• Experience managing or mentoring less experienced attorneys in a public interest setting, preferred.
• Excellent organizational, presentation, and communication skills.
• A robust work ethic and the ability to manage a demanding workload.
• Strong relationship-building skills.