Federal Public Defender, Central District of California

Trial Paralegal

Legal Counsel & Legal SupportConfirmed live in the last 24 hours

Full-timeSanta Ana, CA, USANo salary listedIn-person

About the Job

Requirements

Applicants must have graduated from an accredited school with a bachelor's degree.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe Acrobat is required.
Experience with online research databases such as Westlaw and LexisNexis is required.
Experience with legal document management databases such as Excel, dtSearch, and CaseMap is required.
Applicants must be willing to travel to various locations to complete required tasks.
A background investigation is required as a condition of employment.
Applicants must be United States citizens or permanent residents seeking citizenship as described in the judiciary's citizenship requirements.

Responsibilities

Assist attorneys in case preparation, including trials, sentencing, and evidentiary hearings.
Identify appropriate technology for reviewing and analyzing discovery and case materials.
Review, analyze, and organize multifaceted discovery.
Analyze, produce, and present reports and summarize evidence for the defense team or courtroom presentations.
Create, maintain, and update indices, chronologies, witness lists, witness files, and documents.
Work with defense teams to develop and implement case strategies tailored to individual cases.
Identify and prepare documents for experts.
Assist attorneys and clients with bail processes.
Attend meetings with clients in or out of custody.
Use technology to analyze, present, and communicate information to case teams.
Use database programs such as Eclipse, CaseMap, Summation, and Relativity to manage and review electronically stored information.
Edit and ingest load files, tag content, and export content.
Use digital presentation tools such as Trial Director and PowerPoint in the courtroom.
Use forensic tools such as Cellebrite and Axiom to review and extract data from forensically captured digital devices.
Edit and convert audio and video files and work with proprietary video formats, including NVR, dash-cam, and pole-cam formats.
Use Office 365 applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams, and OneDrive, as well as Adobe Acrobat and dtSearch.
Use online research databases such as PACER, state court databases, Westlaw, LexisNexis, and Accurint.
Be available during regular business hours and, when necessary, during evenings and weekends.

Desired Qualifications

An ABA-certified paralegal certificate is preferred.
Five or more years of paralegal experience is preferred.
Criminal defense experience is preferred.
A notary license is preferred.

The Federal Public Defender’s Office for the Central District of California is accepting applications for a full-time paralegal position in its trial unit stationed in Santa Ana, CA. The trial unit is committed to the pursuit of justice by aggressively advocating in federal court for the constitutional rights and inherent dignity of individuals who are accused or convicted of crimes and cannot afford their own lawyer.

Job Duties: Trial paralegals provide a full range of paralegal services to trial 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 include:

Paralegal Job Duties:

Software & Technical Responsibilities:

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

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. An ABA certified paralegal certificate and five (5) or more years of paralegal experience is preferred. Criminal defense experience is preferred. Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe Acrobat. Experience with online research databases (i.e., Westlaw, LexisNexis). Must have experience in legal document management databases (i.e., Excel, dtSearch, CaseMap and similar databases). A notary license is preferred. Applicant must be willing to travel to various locations to complete required tasks.

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 a demonstrated commitment to indigent criminal defense and/or public interest law; have excellent oral and written communication skills; have strong legal research and writing skills; have strong organizational and analytical 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. For more information on benefits, see http://www.uscourts.gov/careers/benefits.

How to Apply: Apply by submitting a letter of interest, résumé, and three references. We will accept applications until November 24, 2026, or until filled. Interviews will occur on a rolling basis and the open position may be filled before that date. Priority will be given to early applicants. The Federal Public Defender’s Office may fill current and future positions from this vacancy announcement. Please, no phone calls. We kindly ask that you refrain from contacting employees of the office directly.

The Federal Public Defender’s Office for the Central District of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants, regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or age, are encouraged to apply.

About the Company

Federal Public Defender, Central District of California

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