Managing Criminal Defense Paralegal

Orionplacement; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 43,000 - 59,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Dental insurance

Paid time off

Retirement plan

Vision insurance

Job summary

Confidential Employer in Washington, DC is seeking a Criminal Defense Paralegal Lead to manage and mentor a legal support team while staying hands-on with complex criminal defense matters.

The role covers intake through hearings, with duties in trial preparation, filings, and discovery, plus coordinating with attorneys, investigators, and court personnel.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of criminal defense paralegal experience.
• Prior supervisory or management experience.
• Washington, DC criminal defense experience strongly preferred.
• Federal criminal defense experience strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of criminal court procedures, filings, deadlines, and litigation practices.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, legal case management systems, electronic filing systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate the Criminal Defense paralegal and legal support team, including assignments, workflow, priorities, and deadlines.
• Provide hands-on paralegal support to attorneys handling complex criminal defense matters.
• Manage criminal cases throughout the litigation lifecycle, from intake and investigation through hearings, trial preparation, sentencing, and post-trial matters.
• Support matters in Washington, DC Superior Court and federal court, as applicable.
• Draft, review, and prepare motions, pleadings, correspondence, subpoenas, discovery documents, and other legal filings.
• Prepare and electronically file documents while ensuring accuracy and compliance with applicable court procedures and deadlines.
• Coordinate discovery, including organizing, reviewing, summarizing, and maintaining records, reports, video, audio, and other evidence.
• Maintain attorney calendars and proactively track hearings, court appearances, trials, filing deadlines, client meetings, and other critical dates.
• Communicate professionally and compassionately with clients and their families regarding case status, documentation, scheduling, and other case needs.
• Coordinate with attorneys, investigators, experts, court personnel, government agencies, and other parties.
• Prepare hearing and trial materials, exhibits, witness files, attorney notebooks, and other litigation support materials.
• Monitor case progress and proactively identify outstanding tasks, approaching deadlines, and potential issues.
• Train, mentor, and support Criminal Defense staff while helping establish efficient and consistent team processes.
• Maintain organized electronic case files and accurately record billable time.
• Take ownership of case and team priorities while ensuring matters continue moving forward.

Skills

Criminal defense paralegal

Supervisory experience

DC experience

Federal experience

Legal drafting

Case management

Communication skills

MS Office

Electronic filing

Tools

Legal case management systems

Job description

Pay:$31.00 - $43.00 per hour

Why This Is a Great Opportunity

• Step into a leadership role where your criminal defense experience and judgment can make an immediate impact.
• Lead and mentor a legal support team while staying hands-on with complex criminal defense matters.
• Work closely with attorneys on cases from intake and investigation through hearings, trial preparation, sentencing, and post-trial matters.
• Take ownership of workflows, deadlines, discovery, filings, and case progression in a fast-paced practice.
• Join a collaborative team that values professionalism, accountability, initiative, and exceptional client service.
• Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, well-being, and long‑term growth.

Location: Washington, DC — Hybrid. This role offers the flexibility of a hybrid schedule while keeping you connected with the team and the work. Exceptional candidates outside the DC metropolitan area may be considered for fully remote work with occasional travel to Washington, DC.

Note:Candidates must have 2+ years of criminal defense paralegal experience and prior supervisory or management experience. Strong Washington, DC and federal criminal defense experience is highly valued.

About Us

We are a client‑focused law firm committed to providing exceptional legal services while fostering a collaborative, accountable, and supportive workplace. Our team is passionate about protecting clients' rights and delivering high‑quality representation across complex legal matters. Confidential Employer.

Job Description

• Lead and coordinate the Criminal Defense paralegal and legal support team, including assignments, workflow, priorities, and deadlines.
• Provide hands‑on paralegal support to attorneys handling complex criminal defense matters.
• Manage criminal cases throughout the litigation lifecycle, from intake and investigation through hearings, trial preparation, sentencing, and post‑trial matters.
• Support matters in Washington, DC Superior Court and federal court, as applicable.
• Draft, review, and prepare motions, pleadings, correspondence, subpoenas, discovery documents, and other legal filings.
• Prepare and electronically file documents while ensuring accuracy and compliance with applicable court procedures and deadlines.
• Coordinate discovery, including organizing, reviewing, summarizing, and maintaining records, reports, video, audio, and other evidence.
• Maintain attorney calendars and proactively track hearings, court appearances, trials, filing deadlines, client meetings, and other critical dates.
• Communicate professionally and compassionately with clients and their families regarding case status, documentation, scheduling, and other case needs.
• Coordinate with attorneys, investigators, experts, court personnel, government agencies, and other parties.
• Prepare hearing and trial materials, exhibits, witness files, attorney notebooks, and other litigation support materials.
• Monitor case progress and proactively identify outstanding tasks, approaching deadlines, and potential issues.
• Train, mentor, and support Criminal Defense staff while helping establish efficient and consistent team processes.
• Maintain organized electronic case files and accurately record billable time.
• Take ownership of case and team priorities while ensuring matters continue moving forward.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of criminal defense paralegal experience.
• Prior supervisory or management experience.
• Washington, DC criminal defense experience strongly preferred.
• Federal criminal defense experience strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of criminal court procedures, filings, discovery, deadlines, and litigation practices.
• Experience independently managing complex criminal matters and anticipating attorney and case needs.
• Strong legal drafting, proofreading, organizational, and case management skills.
• Experience managing discovery and preparing matters for hearings and trial.
• Ability to prioritize multiple active cases and competing deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and critical‑thinking abilities.
• High degree of professionalism, discretion, sound judgment, and client service.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, legal case management systems, electronic filing systems, and related legal technology.

Why You Will Love Working Here

You will have the opportunity to combine your criminal defense expertise with meaningful leadership and make a difference in both client matters and team performance. We value people who take initiative, anticipate needs, solve problems, and follow through. This is a role where your experience will be trusted, your leadership will matter, and your contributions can help strengthen an entire practice.

JPC-1811

Benefits

• Dental insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance