What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant District Attorney - Post-Conviction Relief Act position at Philadelphia District Attorney's Office?
Position: Assistant District Attorney
Unit: Post-Conviction Relief Act (PCRA) Unit
Supervisor: Supervisor of PCRA Unit
Summary of Job
The District Attorney’s Office is seeking experienced attorneys to work as Assistant District Attorneys (ADAs) in its Post-Conviction Relief Act Unit (PCRA Unit). The PCRA Unit handles petitions filed by defendants challenging their convictions under the Post-Conviction Relief Act. These petitions raise claims of ineffective assistance of counsel, illegal sentence and new evidence. They may also include requests for discovery and DNA testing. The PCRA ADAs are tasked with answering these petitions by investigating the claims, researching case law, preparing briefs, conducting evidentiary hearings and presenting oral argument in the Court of Common Pleas.
The District Attorney’s Office is seeking experienced attorneys to work as Assistant District Attorneys (ADAs) in its Post-Conviction Relief Act Unit (PCRA Unit). The PCRA Unit handles petitions filed by defendants challenging their convictions under the Post-Conviction Relief Act. These petitions raise claims of ineffective assistance of counsel, illegal sentence and new evidence. They may also include requests for discovery and DNA testing. The PCRA ADAs are tasked with answering these petitions by investigating the claims, researching case law, preparing briefs, conducting evidentiary hearings and presenting oral argument in the Court of Common Pleas.
The District Attorney's Office provides an exciting alternative to employment at a private law firm.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Review the record and evaluate the claims raised.
- Research the legal claims.
- Investigate the claims by speaking to witnesses and prior counsel.
- Discuss case with supervisors to determine whether to oppose relief, agree to an evidentiary hearing or concede relief.
- Prepare and file written response with the court.
- Handle evidentiary hearing including questioning of witnesses.
- Present oral argument.
Skills & Qualifications
- All candidates must be admitted to practice law in the State of Pennsylvania.
- Candidates must have at least 3 years of legal experience practicing law following graduation from an accredited law school.
- Ideal candidates will have strong writing skills and/or courtroom litigation experience in trials or other evidentiary proceedings.
- Experience with cases involving serious felonies is a plus.
- Candidates must be organized, flexible and capable of working under pressure.
- Candidates must be able to manage large caseload.
- Candidates must be highly motivated researchers, comfortable with document-driven cases.
- Ability to develop and cultivate effective internal/external working relationships is essential.
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.
** The Philadelphia District Attorney's Office is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. **
