Salary: $115,361.00 - $149,968.00 Annually
Location : Media, PA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number:Department: Public Defender
Opening Date: 10/05/2026
Summary *** COVER LETTER & RESUME SUBMISSIONS ARE REQUIRED FOR APPLICATION CONSIDERATION ***Under the general oversight of the Public Defender and First Assistant, the Chief of the Major Felony Unit is responsible for supervising vertical representation in adult felony criminal cases in the Delaware County Magisterial District Courts and Court of Common Pleas. The Chief is responsible for developing innovative trial training, providing support and mentorship to lawyers assigned to the Major Felony Unit, and strengthening the Office's overall felony practice.
Essential Duties The duties of this position include, but are not limited to:
- Manage all cases assigned to the Major Felony Unit, primarily homicides, Felony 1, and Felony 2 cases, to ensure that Office of the Public Defender clients receive quality legal representation in all aspects of their cases.
- Provide training and supervision for all Assistant Public Defenders assigned to the Major Felony Unit.
- Review initial arrest paperwork, identify the specific needs of each case, including investigation, social services, special assignment, and other needs, and assign cases to attorneys within the Major Felony Unit.
- Handle a caseload of vertically assigned major felony cases through conclusion.
- Manage the assignment of staff to and supervision of Special Victims District Court.
- Supervise support staff involved in the legal representation of clients in the Major Felony Unit, including social service advocates, mitigators, investigators, and administrative staff.
- Develop and engage in holistic representation practices that assist clients with collateral matters that impact their direct legal representation.
- Advocate for structural change and adherence to national and statewide best practices that benefit the interests of public defender clients.
- Develop office-wide and unit-specific trainings to advance the felony practice of the Office.
- Perform related work at the request of the Public Defender or First Assistant, as necessary.
Qualifications - Licensed and admitted to practice law in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, or the ability to gain admission to the Pennsylvania Bar through reciprocity.
- Minimum of five (5) years of experience representing clients in criminal cases.
- Extensive criminal litigation experience, including motions practice, jury trials, bench trials, sentencing, and post-sentence motions.
- Preference for an attorney qualified to handle capital cases under Pennsylvania Rule of Criminal Procedure 801.
- Knowledge of the Delaware County criminal justice system strongly preferred.
- Excellent organizational, presentation, and communication skills.
- Demonstrated commitment to indigent defense.
- Strong work ethic and ability to manage a demanding workload.
- Strong relationship-building skills.
Additional Information The County of Delaware offers a comprehensive benefits package to full-time employees including health care, dental, retirement, life insurance, holidays, vacation, and sick leave.
