Christopher Welsh Email & Phone Number

Third in command of Philadelphia’s 500 employee indigent defense law firm. Primary responsibilities included supervision of internal operations, information technology, and work flow process. - Directed the distribution of remote access to all attorneys & social workers and the upgrade of PCs from desktop to laptops for all lawyers and social workers which enhanced productivity by providing access to the Defender network remotely.- Improved multiple internal interviewing and file flow procedures to eliminate confusion, streamline the flow of information and help staff focus on the mission of serving our clients.

Supervised a team of 30 attorneys, investigators, and administrative staff to handle all aspects of client representation for those arrested in the 6th, 9th and 22nd police districts for domestic violence. Spearheaded variety of initiatives in personnel management, information technology, and resource allocation. - Changed representation in a large number of felony trails from horizontal representation to vertical representation without the use of additional resources. This moved the Defender’s representation model closer to the standards set by the ABA.- Improved internal referral process for incarcerated clients sentenced to drug and alcohol treatment which decreased time spent in custody by an average of 7 days.

Represented clients with severe mental health issues in all aspects of complex criminal trials, including homicides. Conducted competency assessments, litigated involuntary commitment hearings, and developed inpatient and outpatient service plans as alternatives to incarceration.

Represented juveniles charged as adults in serious felony cases. Litigated multiple motions to move the cases back to Family (juvenile) Court, trials, and pretrial motions.

Assisted Unit Chief and Assistant Chief with the supervision, training, and review of attorneys in Municipal Court.

Represented indigent defendants with serious felony charges in all aspects of criminal litigation. Extensive experience litigating complex jury trials, bench trials, and pretrial motions, as well as conducting plea negotiations, investigations, and interviews.

Represented indigent defendants in hundreds of preliminary hearings, Municipal Court trials, Common Pleas bench trials, and Family Court juvenile delinquency trials.

Conducted extensive client interviews to identify legal issues and meritorious claims. Drafted multiple post-judgment petitions, pleadings, and correspondence. Represented clients in Municipal Court eviction proceedings.

Lead community organizer for the Bedford Park Neighborhood Association. Organized multiple meetings with City Council representatives, state senators, and state assembly persons on issues around sanitation, crime prevention, and abandonment. Reconstituted the executive board of the BPNA. Developed and implemented advocacy training seminars for new community leaders. Organized tenant committees in over 10 buildings.

Doctor Of Law (J.D.), Law

B.A., Political Science And Government