Assistant District Attorney

Description:

Company Description:
The Philadelphia District Attorney's Office is the largest prosecutor's office in Pennsylvania, and one of the largest in the nation. It serves more than 1.5 million citizens of the City and County of Philadelphia, employing 600 lawyers, detectives and support staff. Our Assistant District Attorneys are dedicated to public service, public safety, and justice for all involved in the criminal justice system.

The Conviction Integrity Unit (CIU) of the District Attorney's Office is charged with investigating problematic past convictions for credible claims of actual innocence, wrongful conviction and, where feasible, sentencing inequities. In doing so, prosecutors in this unit strive to increase transparency, integrity and trust in the criminal justice system, holding publicly accountable those who abuse their positions of authority. When warranted through their investigation, unit prosecutors work to reverse unjust sentences resulting from government misconduct.

To attain a job with the city, you must be a city of Philadelphia resident within 6 months (180 days) of hire and able to work completely in the office.

Job Summary:
The District Attorney's Office is seeking attorneys to work as assistant district attorneys in its Conviction Integrity Unit (“CIU”) on its Pro Se Review Project. The CIU received a federal grant to address the large volume of pro se applications. Following best practices established in this expanding field, the CIU ADA in this role reinvestigates and resolves credible claims of actual innocence or wrongful conviction arising out of past convictions where individuals who, on application to the CIU, are not represented by counsel. The CIU ADA in this role will also reviews pro se pardon and commutation applications.

Essential Functions:

• Obtaining and reviewing voluminous court records, law enforcement documents, and all other documents connected with or relevant to a criminal prosecution.
• Interviewing witnesses, attorneys, convicted persons, relevant experts and police officers.
• Overseeing DNA and other forensic testing.
• Writing detailed memoranda and pleadings relating to the investigation.
• Working with defense counsel and the community in resolving cases of actual innocence or other wrongful conviction.

Qualifications:

• All candidates must be admitted to practice law in the State of Pennsylvania.
• Candidates should have at least 1-3 years of legal experience following graduation from an accredited law school.
• A commitment to anti-corruption work is a must.
• Candidates must be highly motivated researchers, comfortable with document-driven cases that can take months or years to build.
• Strong preference for candidates with experience in investigating and/or litigating cases involving violent crime – preference will be given to candidates who also have experience with forensic science specifically including the use of DNA. This experience can be as a prosecutor, criminal defense attorney, innocence organization attorney or other applicable area of practice concerning criminal law in any jurisdiction.
• Excellent writing skills and attention to detail are required.
• Strong preference for candidates with courtroom experience in trials or other evidentiary proceedings involving serious felonies, preferably homicides.
• Strong preference for candidates who have experience investigating or prosecuting cold cases and/or litigating fact-based post-conviction proceedings. experience handling domestic violence and sexual assault cases as a lawyer or in an advocacy setting is a plus.
• Candidate must be able to manage a complex litigation caseload.
• Candidate must be able to take initiative and be self-directed on non-deadline-oriented investigations.
• Ability to work directly with County Detectives and other ADAs to build a case is required.

This is a grant-funded position. Limited travel may be required.
Rewards/Benefits
Paralegals are exempt employees with the City of Philadelphia. Immediately upon assuming office, Paralegals receive benefits similar to those of other City of Philadelphia employees, including the below benefits:

• Generous retirement savings options available (pension plan and etc.)
• We are a Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PFLF) Program qualified employer
• We offer comprehensive health coverage (medical, vision, prescription and dental) for employees and their eligible dependents
• Annual paid time off (PTO) package: 10 vacation days, 15 sick leave days, 11 paid holidays, 5 annual administrative leave
• Our wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan
• Before tax commuter program
• Health care and Dependent care flexible spending accounts
• Sick leave bonuses and exchanges
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Applications will be active for one year from the date of receipt by the Office.

All exempt employees of the District Attorney's Office are at-will employees and serve at the pleasure of the District Attorney. The at-will relationship shall not be modified for any employee and no agreement, oral or written, shall be entered into that changes the at-will relationship.

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