Assistant Public Defender – Immigration Attorney

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Job Opening: Assistant Public Defender – Immigration Attorney
Department: Office of the Public Defender
Posting Date: August 3, 2022
Closing Date: open until filled
Shift: Office hours 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday, additional hours as necessary


Summary

The Delaware County Office of the Public Defender provides legal representation to the individuals facing a loss of freedom in the criminal, delinquency and mental health systems in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. The office employs over roughly 70 attorneys and staff to provide zealous advocacy for our clients. The office represents several thousand clients each year in the District Justice Courts, the Court of Common Pleas and the Appellate Courts of Pennsylvania.


Essential Duties

Under the general oversight of the Public Defender and First Assistant, the Immigration Assistant Defender is responsible for providing advice and consultation to assistant public defenders regarding the immigration consequences of criminal conviction for the noncitizen clients of the Public Defender, in order to fulfill the advocacy requirements set forth in the Supreme Court case of Padilla v. Kentucky:

Advises and assists assistant public defenders in cases where immigration consequences may be present

Works within the organization to create processes and procedures that help identify and serve clients with immigration consequences

Acts as a resource to attorneys and staff, providing both guidance and materials to ensure that appropriate legal representation occurs where immigrations consequences are present

Provide direct personal consultation with defender clients facing potentials immigration consequences during legal proceedings

Prepare and present training materials about immigration consequences in the criminal justice system for attorneys, staff, and other interested parties

Advocate on behalf of defender clients with immigration consequences at all stages of representation in the magisterial district courts, Court of Common Pleas and appellate courts

Work with the First Assistant and others to provide outreach and engage community stakeholders on issues related to the intersection of criminal law and immigration

Perform related work at the request of the Defender or First Assistant when necessary


Qualifications

Licensed and admitted to practice law in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or the intention and capacity to sit for the next available Pennsylvania Bar exam

Ability to communicate in Spanish effectively, orally and in writing, especially with monolingual Spanish-speakers (alternate, non-English linguistic fluency combined with substantial experience serving immigrant communities will also be considered)

Experience as an attorney handling immigration legal matters in the criminal justice system of a progressively difficult and complex nature

Excellent organizational, presentation, and communication skills

Demonstrated commitment to public service

A strong work ethic and ability to independently manage a demanding workload

Strong communication and relationship-building skills


Contact

Please provide a cover letter with the application, they are required for this positon.

To apply, please fill out our online application form.



Contact Us

  •   201 West Front Street,
         Media, PA 19063
  •   8:30AM - 4:30PM
           Monday - Friday
  •   610-891-4000
  • webmaster@co.delaware.pa.us

About Delaware County

Delaware County, presently consisting of over 184 square miles divided into forty-nine municipalities is the oldest settled section of Pennsylvania.


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