Trial Paralegal - Los Angeles

Federal Public Defender, Central District of California; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The Federal Public Defender’s Office for the Central District of California seeks a full-time trial paralegal stationed in the Los Angeles main office to support attorneys in federal matters, trials, appeals, and habeas cases.

Responsibilities include trial preparation, discovery review, witness management, and courtroom technology use (CaseMap, Relativity, PowerPoint). A bachelor's degree and five years of litigation paralegal experience are required; a paralegal certificate is preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 5+ years as a litigation paralegal preparing cases for trial.
• Advanced technology background; training will be provided for tools described.
• Paralegal certificate from ABA-approved program preferred but not required.
• Preference given to applicants with state or federal criminal defense experience.

Responsibilities

• Assist attorneys in case preparation, including trials, sentencing, and hearings.
• Identify best technology for review and analysis of discovery and case material.
• Review, analyze, and organize multi-faceted discovery.
• Analyze, produce, and present reports and summarize evidence for defense.
• Create and maintain indices, chronologies, and witness lists.
• Develop case strategies with defense teams.
• Prepare documents for experts and assist with bail processes.
• Attend client meetings in/out of custody.

Skills

Communication skills

Independent work

Team player

Technology aptitude

Education

Bachelor's degree

ABA-approved paralegal certificate

Tools

Eclipse

CaseMap

Summation

Relativity

Trial Director

PowerPoint

Cellebrite

Axiom

Office 365

Adobe Acrobat

dtSearch

PACER

Westlaw

LexisNexis

Accurint

Job description

The Federal Public Defender’s Office for the Central District of California is accepting applications for a full-time trial paralegal. The trial paralegal will be stationed in the Los Angeles main 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:

Trial paralegals provide a full range of support to attorneys in all types of federal matters, including pre-indictment cases, trials, appeals, and habeas cases. Trial paralegals must be available to work during regular business hours, and when necessary, during evenings and weekends. General areas of responsibility are noted below.

Paralegal Job Duties:

• Assisting attorneys in case preparation, including trials, sentencing and evidentiary hearings
• Identifying the best technology for review and analysis of discovery and case material
• Reviewing, analyzing, and organizing multi-faceted discovery
• Analyzing, producing, and presenting reports and summarizing evidence for the defense team or for presentations in the courtroom
• Creating, maintaining, and updating indices, chronologies, witness lists, witness files and documents
• Working with defense teams to develop and implement case strategies to meet the needs of each individual case
• Identifying and preparing documents for experts
• Assisting attorneys and clients with bail processes
• Attending meetings with clients in/out of custody

Software & Technical Responsibilities:

• Using technology to analyze, present and communicate information to case teams.
• Using database programs (e.g., Eclipse, CaseMap, Summation, Relativity) to manage and review electronically stored information
• Editing and ingesting load files, tagging, and exporting content
• Using digital presentation tools in the courtroom (e.g., Trial Director, PowerPoint)
• Using forensic tools (e.g., Cellebrite, Axiom) to review and extract data from forensically captured digital devices
• Editing/converting audio and video files and working with proprietary video formats (NVRs, dash cam, pole cam, etc.)
• Proficiency with Office 365 applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams, OneDrive), Adobe Acrobat, and dtSearch
• Experience with online research databases (e.g., PACER, State Court databases, Westlaw, LexisNexis, and Accurint)

Requirements:

All applicants must have graduated from an accredited school with a bachelor's degree and five (5) or more years of experience as a litigation paralegal preparing cases for trial and providing support during trial. Candidates must have an advanced technology background (training will be provided for all technology and software tools described above). A paralegal certificate from an ABA-approved program is preferred but not required. Preference will be given to applicants with state or federal criminal defense experience.

Varying hours including nights, weekends, and holidays may be required. A background investigation is required as a condition of employment. In line with current appropriations law, applicants must be United States citizens or permanent residents seeking citizenship as described here.

Selection Criteria:

Candidates must have an interest in advancing the Federal Public Defender’s mission of providing high-quality criminal defense to indigent individuals; must keep up with emerging technology trends; have strong oral and written communication skills; be able to work independently, be flexible, and take initiative; and work well in teams.

Salary/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. After successfully completing a probationary period, eligible employees may elect to telework up to two days per week, subject to certain conditions.

The Federal Public Defender’s Office for the Central District of California is committed to equal opportunity in the workplace. All applicants, regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or age, are encouraged to apply.