Looking to make a difference! Become a Defender! 

The Municipal Court Pretrial Unit focuses on reducing mass incarceration by supporting clients before trial through a wide array of rehabilitative initiatives and programs to divert clients from incarceration. A law clerk assigned to the Municipal Court Pre-Trial Unit is a key member of the defense team who provides legal representation to indigent individuals accused of crimes in Philadelphia. Law Clerks represent Defender clients in various courtrooms and stages of their cases. Law Clerks practice in Preliminary Arraignment Court, Bench Warrant Court, Discovery Court, Common Pleas Arraignment and more. Law Clerks conduct comprehensive confidential legal interviews at the local prisons, essential to effective client representation, write motions, file investigation requests, social service referrals and more. A law clerk appears before Bail Commissioners and makes arguments related to pre-trial supervision and detention. They also argue appeals to bail decisions before Municipal Court Judges.

 What You’ll Do

• Prepare arraignment court sheets, document status of arraignment hearings and ensure that information is accurate, so it can be properly transferred to client files
• Communicate with client’s family members via telephone and in person 
• Review client’s charges and records to prepare and advocate for the least restrictive means of pretrial supervision before the Bail Commissioner.
• Travel and rotate on a weekly basis to various courtrooms and occasionally prisons, conduct client interviews, communicating with Magistrate and/or Commissioner obtaining pertinent information pertaining to client’s cases.
• Update client files, in preparation for the appropriate hearing, i.e. Bench Warrant (prison), Municipal Court Calendar Room (Municipal Court) and Common Pleas Arraignment (Common Pleas Court
• Perform other duties as assigned

What You’ll Need

• Juris Doctorate required; Admission or pending Admission to Pennsylvania Bar
• Previous experience working with clients who are indigent in criminal justice proceedings such as internships, preferred
• Excellent written and communication skills, especially with clients
• Must have strong analytical and interpretive skills 
• Excellent organizational skills with attention to detail and ability to mulit-task
• Be available for staffing rotation for 24-Hour Arraignment Court on monthly basis
• Be able to travel to various courtroom, prisons and other community placements

Benefits & Perks

• Very generous and rich benefits plan with many employer paid benefits
• Substantial paid time off (35 days of PTO plus all federal holidays)
• Six weeks of paid parental leave
• 403 (b) retirement savings with Employer Match
• Free Septa All Access Key card
• Wellness benefits
• Meaningful & Impactful Work 
• Ongoing Training and Development of You

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. Many former Defenders go on in their careers to serve as judges, state and federal officials, and successful private practitioners. Come join our team! For more information, go Defender’s Pretrial Unit and follow us @PhillyDefenders (Twitter, IG, Tiktok) and on LinkedIn. 

The Defender Association provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, The Defender Association complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.