Court-Appointed Conflict Counsel

Chester County PA; West Chester (Chester County); On-site; USD 44,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

The Court of Common Pleas of Chester County is accepting applications for the contract position of Court-Appointed/Conflict Counsel (CAC). CAC handles indigent defendants when the Public Defender has an ethical conflict, with primary responsibility on direct appeals to the Pennsylvania Superior and Supreme Courts.

The role requires admission to the Pennsylvania Bar in good standing, strong research and writing skills, and familiarity with criminal law and related procedures.

Qualifications

• Member in good standing of the Pennsylvania Bar.
• Exceptional research and writing skills.
• Versed in substantive criminal law and the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure; knowledge of the Pennsylvania Rules of Appellate Procedure.

Responsibilities

• Represent defendants on direct appeal to the Superior and Supreme Courts of Pennsylvania.
• May be appointed to represent defendants in the trial court as needed.

Skills

Research skills

Writing skills

Criminal law knowledge

Procedural knowledge

Education

Pennsylvania Bar Admission

Job description

OPENING FOR COURT-APPOINTED/CONFLICT COUNSEL (CRIMINAL):

The Court of Common Pleas of Chester County is now accepting applications for the contract position of Court-Appointed/Conflict Counsel ("CAC"). CAC provides legal services to indigent criminal defendants whom the Public Defender, due to an ethical conflict of interest, cannot represent.

The primary responsibility of CAC in this position shall be representing defendants on direct appeal to the Superior and Supreme Courts of Pennsylvania. CAC will also be appointed, on an as-needed basis, to represent defendants in the trial court.

CAC must be a member in good standing of the Pennsylvania Bar; versed in substantive criminal law, the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure, and the Pennsylvania Rules of Appellate Procedure; and possessed of exceptional research and writing skills. Death-qualification pursuant to Pa.R.Crim.P. 801 is strongly preferred.

Jordan C. Ludwick, Esquire

Criminal Court Administrator

[e-mail]

NOT LATER THAN WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2026. EEO.

Compensation for this CONTRACT POSITION is provided at a rate of $4,299.23 per month.