Attorney- Violent Crime Initiative (Juvenile delinquency)

Summary: Youth Empowerment for Advancement Hangout (YEAH) is a Black-led, community-based non-profit supporting teens and young adults in West and Southwest Philadelphia ages 15 to 24 who are impacted by violence. YEAH creates safe and authentic hangout spaces by providing culturally relevant engagement and implementing teen led interventions to address the root causes of violence. Utilizing teen action through peer led mediation and conflict resolution, community engagement, and economic opportunities, YEAH interrupts the cycle of youth community violence. YEAH acknowledges teens and young adults as the experts of their own lives and prioritizes pushing back against oppressive systems and addressing structural barriers that often lead to violence. 

The Youth Empowerment and Violent Crime Initiative (VCI) is a program component within YEAH that focuses on providing holistic and culturally relevant community support and case management services to teens and young adults within the juvenile justice system. The main goals of this initiative include:

• Engaging and supporting teens and young adults both prior to release and when released from the Juvenile Justice Services Center (JJSC). 
• Providing intensive support services as pilot programming to teens and young adults within the juvenile justice system to address victimization, gaps in services, violence reduction, continuity of care, and the overall well-being of youth related to culturally relevant behavioral health & restorative justice services.
• Providing monetary incentives in addition to training, community engagement, and psychoeducational workshops that improve the quality of life of teens and young adults in Philadelphia and build skills relevant to life and violence reduction.
• Connecting teens and young adults to sustainable services in and outside of YEAH that are beneficial to the individual based on their circumstance.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities: The VCI attorney will focus on juvenile adjudications, juvenile jury and judge trials, status hearings, and providing ongoing legal defense for young people in the juvenile legal system ages 15 to 24 involved in YEAH’s VCI program, while working in partnership with other VCI staff. This position is also responsible for maintaining relationships with relevant people attached to the legal team and court staff, note taking in court, conducting assessments, inputting documentation/notes in database, obtaining subpoenas, and providing court updates as necessary to VCI staff. This includes attending all court dates, being a strong attorney in court working with young people, working in partnership with other attorneys, providing monthly court updates to YEAH staff, and overall assisting young people with being provided a fair defense. Attorneys must also be willing to think ethically and critically at all times, and always work in the best interest of the client and not the court system. 

Job Requirements: Juris Doctor required, must be an active Pennsylvania bar member and in good standing. Minimum of three years’ experience providing direct legal representation to individuals involved in the juvenile and criminal legal system, including litigating complex felony cases; Jury trial experience preferred. Candidates must have a demonstrated interest in and commitment to the representation of individuals who cycle in and out of the system and aren’t able to afford an attorney. Must have the ability to adapt to changing needs of YEAH Philly and to work collaboratively with the staff at YEAH Philly. Must be able to travel to courtrooms, local and statewide facilities if needed. Candidates must have a demonstrated background and expertise of working with Black identifying teenagers and young adults and outstanding engagement with youth and young adults, providing outstanding advocacy and legal representation in systems, specifically the court system; demonstrated track record of successfully building healthy and trusting relationships with this population; candidates must be detail oriented, even as an attorney, have life and professional experience in social work, human services, a strong interest in social justice and the ability to grasp concepts around violence, race, and systems, as well as the ability to stand up against systems and advocate for the best interest of young people; excellent verbal and written communication skills; and excellent time management and organizational skills. Candidates must be willing to be part of larger policy, advocacy, and organizing efforts related to justice and legislative reforms. Those who identify racially or ethnically as Black or Brown and have been personally impacted by the criminal justice system or violence (directly or indirectly) are strongly encouraged to apply. 

Primary Responsibilities:

• Develop and build healthy, trusting relationships with teens and young adults and have them be part of their legal defense. 
• Handle all aspects of client representation in the Philadelphia Family Court for juvenile delinquency legal matters, including but not limited to status listings, preliminary hearings, motions, waiver trials, jury trials, interest of justice hearings, and violations of probation.
• Maintain and manage a juvenile caseload of those charged with a violent crime and those receiving services through YEAH Philly. 
• Draft, file, and argue all necessary motions and memoranda of law.
• Interview clients in person and over the telephone, at youth detention centers, state placements, and anywhere necessary. 
• Engage in holistic representation practices that assist the client in collateral matters that may impact the direct legal representation of the client.
• Maintain all documentation and utilize databases to provide written updates on progress. 
• Conduct legal visits with teens and young adults who are currently in custody, placements, or holding facilities. 
• Assist with policy drafting and legal memos as part of YEAH’s larger policy, advocacy, and organizing work. 
• Work with the VCI legal team and other staff members for updates and support for your clients. 

Additional Responsibilities:

• All other duties assigned