Looking to make a difference! Become a Defender!

The Mental Health Unit represents clients who suffer from a mental health disorder, traumatic brain injury, or intellectual disability. With our staff of attorneys, social workers, mitigation specialists, paralegals, and investigators, we represent our clients in a variety of settings; Municipal Court Mental Health Court, Court of Common Pleas Mental Health Court, Veterans Court, Civil Commitment Hearings, Compassionate Release Hearings, and vertical representation in complex cases where mental health is a predominant factor. We are looking for an experienced attorney to lead our mental health team.

What You’ll Do:

• Supervise, manage, and provide leadership for Municipal Court Mental Health Court, Common Pleas Mental Health Court, Veteran’s Court, Civil Commitment Hearings, and the vertical representation of clients represented within the Unit.
• Supervise, evaluate, and provide feedback to all staff within the unit.
• Liaison with the Court Mental Health Unit and the State Mental Hospitals
• Be the subject matter expert for internally and externally on Mental Health law and the Mental Health Procedures Act, as well as be up-to date on the current state of the law and science surrounding Intellectual Disabilities and Traumatic Brain Injuries, and maintain familiarity with the DSM-V.
• Prepare and present mental health trainings to internal and external audiences
• Liaison with the Chief and Assistant Chief of Pre-Trial as needed, including during off hours, for custody emergencies regarding clients threatening self-harm or in need of physical or behavioral health medication.
• Screen new arrests of a serious or high profile nature for possible diversion to Mental Health Court, Veteran’s Court, or for vertical assignment within the unit.
• Represent the Defender Association at local, state, and national events addressing issues of mental health.
• Collect and collate data on psychiatric detainers, caseloads, dispositions, and other data sets relevant to the mental health practice.
• Travel to relevant courtrooms, state mental hospitals, local and state prisons and other community placements
• Other duties as assigned

What You’ll Need

• Juris Doctorate Degree required; Admission to PA Bar required
• Five (5) years of criminal defense experience, preferred
• Jury trial experience, preferred
• Familiarity with criminal mental health court, civil commitment hearings, competency hearings, forced medication hearings, and insanity trials, preferred.
• Experience in training and teaching attorneys, social workers, mitigators, and investigators preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively on complex legal and technical issues through oral and written communication with staff, court personnel, and outside stakeholders
• Experience or interest in serving racially and socioeconomically- oppressed clients and communities
• Ability to create a high performing, collaborative team and work environment

Benefits & Perks

• Generous and rich benefits plan with many employer paid benefits
• Substantial paid time off- 35 days of PTO with all federal holidays off
• Retirement Savings Match
• Six weeks of paid parental leave
• Free Septa Travel Key card
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligible employer
• Meaningful & Impactful Work
• Wellness benefits- like free subscription to CALM, etc.

Who is the Defender Association?

The Defender Association of Philadelphia is more than just a law firm. We’re the community’s lawyers. The Defender team – more than 500 attorneys, social workers, investigators, administrators, and other staff – make sure that everyone, regardless of income, has access to high-quality defense when facing criminal charges. Our mission-driven, client-centered model focuses on outcomes that support a system that is fundamentally fair and creates safer, stronger communities. Our unique model and approach give our staff with the skills and support they need to get the best outcomes for our clients.. Come join our team! For more information, follow us @PhillyDefenders (Twitter, IG, Tiktok) and on LinkedIn.