Assistant Defender- Fall 2027 Cohort

The Defender Association of Philadelphia is a non-profit law firm dedicated to providing exceptional, client-centered legal representation to individuals facing criminal charges in Philadelphia. Our attorneys work as part of an interdisciplinary team that includes social workers, investigators, mitigation specialists, and administrative professionals—each playing a vital role in advocating for our clients and strengthening our communities.

Our mission extends beyond the courtroom. We are committed to advocating for clients at every stage of the legal process from arrest to reentry with the goal of minimizing system involvement, reducing collateral consequences, and addressing the harms caused by prolonged contact with the criminal legal system.

Representing approximately 70% of individuals charged with crimes in Philadelphia, the Defender Association is organized into specialized practice units that provide representation from preliminary arraignments through appeals. Our model of client-centered advocacy is grounded in both zealous courtroom representation and active community engagement through initiatives such as Participatory Defense Hubs, expungement clinics, and other outreach events.

Each year, we welcome a new cohort of Assistant Defenders. Cohort members begin with an intensive month-long training program focused on litigation skills, client-centered advocacy, and courtroom practice. Our new attorneys begin practicing in preliminary hearings and then progress through rotations including misdemeanor trials, misdemeanor and felony pretrial, felony waiver trials, and jury trials. Each stage of practice is accompanied by targeted training, mentorship, and supervision to ensure attorneys are prepared for increasing responsibility. Given the depth of training and the holistic nature of our model, we ask all new attorneys to commit to a three-year term. More information about our office, trial practice units and client representation model can be found on our website.