Katherine (Katie) Ernst is an experienced and accomplished criminal post-conviction attorney, whose work has made important precedent across the state of Pennsylvania.

Prior to forming Ernst Wildberger PC, Katie worked in a number of capacities in the criminal legal system. As a public defender in Montgomery County, Katie handled cases before the Superior, Commonwealth, and Pennsylvania Supreme Courts. Numerous of her cases established important precedent, which continue to benefit criminal defendants to this day. For instance, in Commonwealth v. Talley, Katie developed novel arguments regarding what evidence must be presented when a court denies bail, causing a sea change in bail practices across the state.

After leaving the public defender’s office, Katie worked for the firm Wiseman Schwartz where she primarily handled serious PCRA and federal habeas matters. She secured relief for numerous of her clients who were serving life without parole sentences. Katie also worked at the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office for five years. While there, she rose to be the Chief of the Law Division, which handles all post-conviction litigation: appeals, PCRA and federal habeas. In that role, Katie supervised approximately 100 people.

In her free time, Katie is also currently writing a treatise on Pennsylvania post-conviction law. She is well regarded across the state as someone with a deep expertise in criminal law and a zealous advocate for her clients.