Capital Habeas Paralegal

United States Courts; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement

Thrift Savings Plan

Telework up to two days per week

Job summary

The Capital Habeas Paralegal position with the California Central Federal Public Defender Office in Los Angeles supports federal post-conviction litigation. The role assists attorneys with case preparation, discovery, and complex civil or criminal matters, ensuring meticulous document management and compliance with court rules.

Responsibilities include maintaining case databases, preparing discovery, and coordinating with investigators and experts.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and five+ years of paralegal experience in complex litigation.
• Paralegal certificate from an ABA-approved program preferred but not required.
• Ability to lift/move boxes and willingness to travel to various locations.
• Background check required and U.S. citizen or permanent resident status.

Responsibilities

• Assist attorneys in case preparation for filings, depositions, and hearings.
• Maintain high-volume case files using databases and programs.
• Identify documents to support investigations and legal claims.
• Prepare and track discovery requests and responses.
• Prepare expert productions, including reports and declarations.
• Cite check briefs and summarize research and procedural history.
• Create and update case databases, chronologies, and witness files.
• Travel to courts and agencies to reproduce records.

Skills

Paralegal experience

Legal research

Oral and written communication

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree

ABA-approved paralegal certificate (preferred)

Tools

Office 365

Adobe Acrobat

dtSearch

ESI databases

Job description

Job Details for Capital Habeas Paralegal

Court Name/Organization California Central Federal Public Defender

Overview of the Position The Federal Public Defender’s Office for the Central District of California is accepting applications for a full-time paralegal position in its Capital Habeas Unit (CHU) stationed in Los Angeles, California. The CHU advocates for the constitutional rights and inherent dignity of indigent persons sentenced to death. We provide the highest quality representation in post-conviction proceedings through diversity of experience, collaborative and thorough case development, focused litigation strategies, and skilled courtroom advocacy.

CHU paralegals provide a full range of paralegal assistance to attorneys in all federal litigation related to post conviction, capital and noncapital cases. CHU paralegals must be available to work during regular business hours, and when necessary, during holidays, evenings and weekends. General areas of responsibility are noted below.

Paralegal Job Duties

• Assist attorneys in case preparation for filings, depositions and hearings
• Maintain high volume cases using various databases and programs
• Identify documents to support and develop investigation plans and legal claims
• Prepare, organize, and track discovery requests and responses for compliance
• Prepare expert productions, including reports/declarations
• Cite check briefs, summarize legal research and procedural history of cases
• Create, maintain, and update case databases, chronologies, and witness files
• Have a solid understanding of state and federal court rules
• Travel to all courts and agencies to reproduce records

Software & Technical Responsibilities

• Use databases and programs to review ESI and present to case teams
• Use forensic tools to review, extract and preserve data
• Edit and ingest load files, tag, and export content
• Use digital presentation tools in the courtroom
• Experience with online databases
• Proficiency with Office 365 applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams, OneDrive), Adobe Acrobat, and dtSearch

Qualifications

All applicants must have a bachelor’s degree and five or more years of paralegal experience in complex civil or criminal litigation under the direct supervision of attorneys. A paralegal certificate from an ABA approved program is preferred but not required. Preference will be given to applicants with experience in legal document management databases used to manage and review electronically stored information (ESI). Applicants must have the ability to lift and move boxes and be willing to travel to various locations to complete required tasks.

A background investigation is required as a condition of employment. In line with current federal appropriations law, applicants must be United States citizens or permanent residents seeking citizenship as described .

Selection Criteria: Candidates must possess a commitment to the defense of individuals convicted of a crime and sentenced to death; have excellent oral and written communication skills; have strong legal research and writing skills; have strong organizational and analytical skills; be able to work independently, be flexible, take initiative; and work well in teams.

Employee Benefits

This is a full-time, at-will position. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience and is subject to direct deposit.

• health and life insurance
• retirement
• Thrift Savings Plan
• telework up to two days per week, subject to certain conditions

For more information on benefits, see the U.S. Courts website .

The federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.