Trial Paralegal (Riverside, CA)

The Federal Public Defender’s Office for the Central District of California (FPD-CDCA) is accepting applications for a full-time trial paralegal. The trial paralegal will be stationed in Riverside. The FPD-CDCA is committed to the client-centered pursuit of justice by advocating for the constitutional rights and inherent dignity of indigent individuals who are accused or convicted of crimes. 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, includingtrials, sentencing and evidentiary hearings

•Identifying the best technology for review andanalysis of discovery and case material

•Reviewing, analyzing, and organizing multi-faceted discovery

•Analyzing, producing, and presenting reports and summarizing evidence for the defense team orfor presentations in the courtroom

•Creating, maintaining, and updating indices,chronologies, witness lists, witness files anddocuments

•Working with defense teams to develop andimplement case strategies to meet the needs ofeach individual case

•Identifying and preparing documents for experts

•Assisting attorneys and clients with bailprocesses

•Attending meetings with clients in/out of custody

Software & Technical Responsibilities:

•Using technology to analyze, present andcommunicate information to case teams.

•Using database programs (e.g., Eclipse,CaseMap, Summation, Relativity) to manageand review electronically stored information

•Editing and ingesting load files, tagging, andexporting content

•Using digital presentation tools in thecourtroom (e.g., Trial Director, PowerPoint)

•Using forensic tools (e.g., Cellebrite, Axiom)to review and extract data from forensicallycaptured digital devices

•Editing/converting audio and video files andworking 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., Westlaw, LexisNexis, and Accurint)

Requirements: All applicants must have an undergraduate degree. Experience as a litigation paralegal preparing cases for trial and providing support during trial preferred, but not required. Candidates should have experience with technology and software tools. A paralegal certificate from an ABA approved program is preferred, but not required. Ability to read and speak Spanish preferred, but not required. Preference will be given to applicants with state or federal criminal defense experience. 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:
https://www.uscourts.gov/careers/search-judiciary-jobs/citizenship-requirements-employment-judiciary.

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. For more information on benefits, see http://www.uscourts.gov/careers/benefits.

How to Apply: Apply by emailing a letter of interest, résumé, and three references in a single PDF document to Cuauhtémoc Ortega, Federal Public Defender, at Employment@fpdcdca.org with the subject line: TRIAL PARALEGAL APPLICATION. All application materials must be received by August 15, 2023, however, interviews will occur on a rolling basis and the open position may be filled before that date. The Federal Public Defender’s Office may fill current and future positions from this vacancy announcement. Please, no phone calls.

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.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $80,000.00 - $130,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Travel requirement:

• No travel

Education:

• Bachelor's (Preferred)

Experience:

• Microsoft Office: 3 years (Preferred)
• paralegal work: 3 years (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $80,000 - $130,000