Trial Legal Assistant

United States Courts; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The Federal Public Defender’s Office for the Central District of California is seeking a full-time legal assistant in our Los Angeles trial unit. The role supports attorneys across trial, appellate, and habeas matters, handling pleadings, calendars, filings, and client communications.

The ideal candidate will have a bachelor's degree or equivalent specialized experience, strong computer skills (MS Office, Adobe Acrobat), and knowledge of legal terminology and Blue Book citation format.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or at least one year of specialized experience as a legal assistant.
• Strong computer literacy with Microsoft Office & Adobe Acrobat.
• Knowledge of legal terminology, Blue Book citation format, and court rules.
• Spanish language ability preferred but not required.
• In-office position; telework is not available; occasional after-hours support during trial may be required.

Responsibilities

• File court documents electronically and manually.
• Prepare and edit draft pleadings, reports, and correspondence.
• Maintain attorneys’ calendars and case files with up-to-date clearances.
• Screen public and client telephone calls; process mail as needed.
• Assist four to five attorneys and provide overflow coverage when needed.

Skills

Oral communication

Written communication

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Analytical skills

Technical skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

One year legal assistant experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Adobe Acrobat

Document management systems

Evidence review platforms

Job description

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 legal assistant position in our trial unit for our Los Angeles office. The Federal Public Defender’s office is committed to the pursuit of justice by aggressively advocating in federal court for the constitutional rights and inherent dignity of individuals who are charged with federal crimes and cannot afford their own lawyer.

Job Duties: Legal assistants provide a full range of executive-level secretarial and clerical support services to attorneys on trial, appellate, and habeas cases. General areas of responsibility include filing of court documents electronically and manually; preparing and editing draft pleadings, reports, and correspondence; maintaining attorneys’ calendars; accurately maintaining up-to-date case files and facility clearances; composing correspondence; screening public and client telephone calls; and processing mail, as needed. The legal assistant will be assigned to four or five attorneys and will be required to assist with overflow coverage when needed.

Qualifications

Requirements: All applicants must have graduated from an accredited school with a bachelor's degree or at least one-year specialized experience performing progressively responsible duties as a legal assistant. Extensive relevant experience may substitute a bachelor’s degree. Candidates must demonstrate a high level of computer literacy, including expertise with Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat programs. Experience with legal practice-related programs such as evidence review platforms, document management systems, and document indexing tools is also highly preferred. The ideal candidate will also have comprehensive knowledge of legal secretarial principles, practices, methods, and techniques; an understanding of state, district and circuit court rules, protocols, policies, and precedents; and knowledge of legal terminology and Blue Book citation format. The ability to speak, read, and write in Spanish is preferred, but not required. Legal assistants must be available to work during regular business hours, and when necessary, during evenings, weekends, and occasionally holidays if in the middle of a trial. This is an in-office position. Telework is not available.

Selection Criteria: Successful applicants demonstrate an interest in social justice, civil rights, or indigent defense; must have excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills; have strong organizational, analytical, and technical skills; an ability to organize work and set priorities to meet critical deadlines; capable of learning new technological tools, when needed; be able to work independently and 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. Benefits include health and life insurance, retirement, and a Thrift Savings Plan. For more information on benefits, see http://www.uscourts.gov/careers/benefits .

The federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.