Deputy Chief

Education
•    B.A., St. John’s College (2008)
•    J.D., Cum Laude, Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law (2012)
•    Farmworker’s Legal Aid Clinic – Litigating Immigration Cancellation of Removal
•    Extern Clerkship for Judge Michael Baylson of the Federal Court of the Eastern District Court of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia

Experience
•    Admitted to the bar in Pennsylvania, Federal District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and the United States Supreme Court
•    Chief Law Clerk for President Judge Margherita Patti-Worthington of Monroe County (2012-2014)
•    Editor and Author, For the Defense, Online Criminal Defense Magazine (2020 – current)
•    Trial attorney that has tried most major charges in Pennsylvania, including murder, rape, aggravated assault, simple assault, DUI, possession with intent to deliver, theft, and a variety of other offenses
•    Pre-trial litigation includes dismissal of murder charges at preliminary hearing, suppression of evidence and statements, dismissal of charges via habeas corpus and Rule 600 in various cases
•    Appellate litigation includes positive outcomes or complete victory in various cases, including before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and Superior Court
Community
•    La Comunidad Hispana and Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania (2015)
•    Homeless Advocacy Project and West Chester Birth Certificate Clinic (2015-16)

Eric Closs grew up in Pennsylvania and attended St. John’s College in Annapolis, Maryland. At college, he studied the works of western culture and fostered his love of reading. Eric sought out the law with the idea of being a public defender in order to bring high quality legal representation to those who could not afford it. He met his wife while at St. John’s and they married while he was in law school at Villanova. 

Eric believes in defending the Constitution, including due process and the presumption of innocence for all those accused of crimes, regardless of financial circumstances. After some years of a heavy litigation practice with the public defender’s office, he was promoted to Deputy Chief. 

Eric lives with his family here in Monroe County, where he enjoys the local parks, yearly fairs, and festivals in the Poconos. Outside of the courthouse and the office, he can often be found behind a book, delving into a show, or sharing a drink with friends.