Paralegal - Lewiston

State of Maine; Lewiston (ME); On-site; USD 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

The Maine Commission on Public Defense Services seeks a paralegal to support multiple attorneys across parental defense, criminal defense, and appellate work. The role handles case preparation, document drafting, and calendar management, coordinating with courts, agencies, and clients in a fast-paced legal environment.

The ideal candidate is highly organized, proactive, and capable of independent work while collaborating effectively with a legal team.

Qualifications

• Paralegal experience or legal support background preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and legal document preparation.
• Strong organizational and communication skills; ability to manage calendars.

Responsibilities

• Supporting busy attorneys and tracking large caseloads.
• Utilizing Microsoft Office Suite for day-to-day tasks.
• Managing heavy email traffic across multiple shared inboxes.
• Maintain communication with clients about court dates, case status, and other matters as directed by Assistant Defenders.
• Communicate with a wide network of agencies such as the courts, jails/prisons, legal and social agencies, as well as client family members.
• Draft routine documents including discovery requests, motions, client correspondence, etc.
• Tracking and keeping an accurate calendar of scheduled court dates

Skills

Word processing

Legal document preparation

Document management

Record keeping

Calendar management

Communication

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Maine Commission on Public Defense Services

-Anticipated Vacancy-

Opening Date: October 20, 2026

Closing Date: November 03, 2026

Grade / Admin Unit: 20 / Professional/Technical

Job Class Code: 0884

Salary: $21.61 - $30.18 Hourly

Position Number :146000071

Location: Lewiston

OVERVIEW:

PDS is an independent commission whose purpose is to provide efficient, high-quality representation to indigent citizens who are entitled to counsel at state expense. Attorneys in our Public Defender Offices practice in a variety of areas including Parental Defense in our Parent Defense Division, representing clients whose children have been taken or are at risk of being taken into custody by the State of Maine; Adult and Juvenile Criminal Defense; and Appellate work. The paralegal position will provide support to multiple attorneys across these practice areas.

The paralegals perform case preparation and investigative and information gathering tasks necessary for providing effective assistance of counsel. The paralegal may communicate with a wide network of court officials, law enforcement, legal and social agencies, jail and prison officials, as well as clients and their family members. Proficiency is required in word processing, legal document preparation, document management, record keeping, data management, file management, calendar management, and a variety of communications.

The ideal candidate must be self-directed, highly organized and highly accurate, with the ability to work efficiently and independently. The candidate must have strong interpersonal skills and a strong work ethic. It is essential that the successful candidate work well as part of a team and adapt well to rapid changes in a fast-paced legal environment.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Supporting busy attorneys and tracking large caseloads
• Utilizing Microsoft Office Suite for day-to-day tasks
• Managing heavy email traffic across multiple shared inboxes
• Maintain communication with clients about court dates, case status, and other matters as directed by Assistant Defenders
• Communicate with a wide network of agencies such as the courts, jails/prisons, legal and social agencies, as well as client family members.
• Draft routine documents including discovery requests, motions, client correspondence, etc.
• Tracking and keeping an accurate calendar of scheduled court dates