Experienced Criminal Defense Paralegal

Azala; Maricopa (AZ); On-site; USD 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A law firm in Arizona is seeking an experienced Criminal Defense Paralegal to join their team. This role requires expertise in reviewing and summarizing criminal case discovery, alongside drafting legal documents under attorney supervision. Ideal candidates will have a minimum of 2 years' experience in a law firm, with strong organizational and communication skills. Key responsibilities include assisting attorneys with felony and misdemeanor cases, maintaining client relationships, and managing case files efficiently. Bilingual candidates are preferred.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years of experience in a law firm setting.
• Criminal defense experience strongly preferred.
• Strong experience reviewing and summarizing criminal discovery.
• Experience drafting criminal defense pleadings and related case documents.
• Working knowledge of criminal case procedures in Maricopa County required.

Responsibilities

• Review and summarize criminal case discovery, including police reports.
• Draft and prepare legal documents under attorney supervision.
• Assist attorneys with felony case preparation and misdemeanor case management.
• Communicate with clients in a professional and timely manner.
• Maintain accurate and organized case files.

Skills

Strong organizational skills

Attention to detail

Strong written and verbal communication skills

Ability to build relationships with clients

Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365

Proficiency in Google Workspace

Bilingual Spanish/English

Education

Certificate of completion from an accredited paralegal program

Tools

Clio experience

Legal case management systems

Job description

Grand Canyon Law Group is seeking an experienced, detail-orientedCriminal Defense Paralegal to join our Mesa-based team. This role is ideal for someone who already understands the pace, pressure, and demands of criminal defense and can confidently support attorneys handling both felony and misdemeanor matters.

The ideal candidate will be able to review and summarize discovery, including body camera footage, identify missing items of disclosure, maintain strong client relationships, and assist attorneys with case preparation from start to finish. This role requires someone who is highly organized, adaptable, proactive with follow-up, and comfortable with heavy client communication in a fast‑paced environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Review, organize, and summarize criminal case discovery, including police reports, body camera footage, dash camera footage, audio, photos, lab results, and supplemental reports
• Identify missing, incomplete, or outstanding items of disclosure and follow up as needed
• Draft and prepare legal documents under attorney supervision, including:
  • Notices of Appearance
  • Requests for Discovery
  • Motions to Compel
  • Motions to Modify Release Conditions
  • settlement memoranda
  • sentencing memoranda
• Assist attorneys with felony case preparation and misdemeanor case management
• Prepare case summaries, timelines, and status updates for attorney review
• Communicate with clients in a professional, timely, and compassionate manner by phone, email, and text
• Build trust and maintain strong working relationships with clients throughout the life of the case
• Maintain accurate, organized, and up-to-date case files and records
• Calendar court dates, deadlines, and follow‑up tasks accurately
• Coordinate with attorneys, courts, prosecutors, clients, and staff to keep cases progressing efficiently
• Prioritize assignments, adapt to changes, and follow through on outstanding items without constant oversight
• Track time accurately and meet productivity expectations

Performance Expectations

• Track a minimum of 6 hours per workday
• Meet an annual productivity goal of 1,440 hours
• Complete work with urgency, accuracy, and attention to detail

Job Requirements

• Certificate of completion from an accredited paralegal program
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in a law firm setting
• Criminal defense experience strongly preferred
• Felony criminal case experience required
• Misdemeanor criminal case experience preferred
• Strong experience reviewing and summarizing criminal discovery
• Ability to identify missing disclosure and elevate issues appropriately
• Experience drafting criminal defense pleadings and related case documents
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and sound judgment
• Ability to build relationships with clients and manage heavy client communication with professionalism and empathy
• Ability to adapt to change, prioritize effectively, and consistently follow up on outstanding items
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 and Google Workspace
• Experience with legal case management systems
• Clio experience is a plus
• Working knowledge of criminal case procedures and filing practices in Maricopa County required
• Experience in Arizona Justice Courts required
• Experience in Coconino County, Yavapai County, and Pinal County preferred
• Bilingual Spanish/English candidates are strongly preferred