Law Clerk

Make a difference! Become a Defender!

The Municipal Court Pretrial Unit (MCPT) focuses on reducing mass incarceration by supporting clients before trial through a wide array of rehabilitative initiatives and diversion programs. As a key member of the defense team, a law clerk assigned to MCPT provides vital legal representation to clients who are accused of crimes in Philadelphia and are indigent. Law clerks represent Defender clients at various courtrooms and states of their cases, practicing in Preliminary Arraignment Court, Bench Warrant Court, Discovery Court, Common Pleas Arraignment and more. In this role, you will conduct comprehensive client interviews, draft motions, argue bail decisions before Municipal Court Judges, and gather critical mitigation information to inform pretrial release. essential to effective client representation, write motions, file investigation requests, social service referrals and more. Law clerks appear before Bail Commissioners and make arguments related to pre-trial supervision and detention

What You’ll Do:

Arraignment Preparation: Prepare arraignment court sheets, gathering all relevant client documents, and ensure all information is accurate for proper transfer to client files.
Case Review & Advocacy: Review clients’ charges and records, advocating for the least restrictive means of pretrial supervision before the Bail Commissioner.
Client Communication: Communicate with clients’ family members both by phone and in person, providing updates and responding to inquiries.
Courtroom Rotation: Rotate weekly through various courtrooms, and interact with Judges, Court Staff, Prison Staff, Magistrates and/or Commissioners to gather relevant information for clients' cases.
Client Interviews: Conduct in-depth confidential initial legal client interviews, gathering relevant information regarding clients’ cases, charges, and personal circumstances as well pre-arraignment socio-bio interviews to gather mitigation to inform bail decisions. These interviews can take place in person at Philadelphia jails, local county jails, local State Correctional Institutions (SCI), the Office and over the phone.
Investigation Requests & Referrals: File investigation requests based on legal interviews, and assess client needs to make appropriate referrals to social services, mental health, immigration, etc.
File Management & Discovery: Update client files before hearings by reviewing and requesting discovery, and complete return work post-hearing by marking and updating files before forwarding them onto other units.
Collaboration: Ability to work with other law clerks and attorneys alike, sharing information, best practices and assistance on case preparation, client interactions, and courtroom procedures to help promote client centered advocacy.

What You’ll Need

Juris Doctorate required; Admission or pending Admission to Pennsylvania Bar preferred
Must be able to work with diverse client population
Must be able to work well with others;
Must have good organizational skills;
Must be reliable and on time
Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Must be available for staffing of 24-hour Arraignment Court (Will rotate through three 8-hour shifts: 7am-3pm, 3pm-11pm and 11pm-7am)
Ability to travel to various courtrooms and prisons as needed

Benefits & Perks

Comprehensive Benefits: Affordable medical care options plus employer paid vision, dental, life and long- term disability insurances
Generous Time Off: 25 days of paid time off (PTO) annually, in addition to all federal holidays
Wellness Initiatives: Dedicated, separate sick leave policy alongside organizational programming to support your physical and mental health
Family Support: 10 weeks of paid parental leave
Retirement: Generous retirement savings plan with Employer Match
Commuter Benefits: Free Septa All Access Key card
Union Membership: Law clerks and attorneys are unionized
PSLF: We are a Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligible employer
Culture: Meaningful, mission-driven work within a supportive, learning-focused, and collaborative environment.

To apply

Please apply online with resume and cover letter detailing your interest and relevant experience. Salary starts at $55,000 and increases $1,500 for each year of experience post JD.

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. Follow us @PhilllyDefenders (Twitter, Instagram & 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, c

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