Experienced Criminal Defense Paralegal - Phoenix, AZ

GRAND CANYON LAW GROUP LLC•Phoenix, AZ

10d•$65,000 - $80,000•Onsite

About The Position

Grand Canyon Law Group is seeking an experienced Criminal Defense Paralegal who knows Arizona criminal cases, understands the courts throughout Central Arizona, and can help move a case forward without waiting to be told what comes next. This is not an entry-level paralegal position. We are looking for someone who has worked directly on felony and misdemeanor cases, can independently review discovery, recognizes when disclosure is missing, and understands the urgency behind court deadlines. You should be comfortable communicating with clients who are facing one of the most stressful experiences of their lives while also maintaining the organization, accuracy, and accountability required in a high-performing criminal defense firm. The right person is sharp, steady, proactive, and exceptionally organized. You know the difference between completing a task and taking ownership of a case. You follow up, close loops, anticipate what the attorney will need, and speak up when something does not look right. If you are an experienced criminal defense paralegal who takes pride in excellent work, strong systems, and helping attorneys deliver exceptional representation, we want to meet you. Grand Canyon Law Group is an Arizona criminal defense firm dedicated to helping good people accused of a crime take control of their case and save their future. Our work is grounded in three core values: Compassion, Honesty, Results. We believe exceptional criminal defense requires more than courtroom skill. It requires clear communication, organized case management, consistent follow-through, and a team that genuinely cares about the people it represents. Our paralegals are not treated as administrative afterthoughts. They are essential members of the legal team and play a direct role in case preparation, client confidence, attorney effectiveness, and the overall success of the firm.

Requirements

Certificate of completion from an accredited paralegal program
Minimum of two years of direct criminal law paralegal experience in Arizona
Meaningful experience supporting felony criminal cases
Experience supporting misdemeanor criminal cases
Strong experience reviewing and summarizing criminal discovery
Ability to identify missing or incomplete disclosure and escalate concerns appropriately
Experience drafting criminal defense pleadings and related case documents
Working knowledge of Arizona criminal court procedures and filing practices
Experience working in Maricopa County or other Central Arizona courts
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Exceptional organization and attention to detail
Sound judgment and the confidence to raise potential issues
Ability to prioritize effectively in a fast-moving environment
Ability to manage frequent client communication with professionalism, patience, and empathy
Ability to work independently while remaining accountable to attorneys and the broader legal team
Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365
Experience using legal case-management software

Nice To Haves

Three or more years of direct Arizona criminal defense experience
Experience in Maricopa, Pinal, and Gila counties
Experience in Yavapai County
Experience working on serious or complex felony matters
Experience preparing cases for evidentiary hearings and jury trials
Clio experience
Bilingual English/Spanish

Responsibilities

Support attorneys handling felony and misdemeanor criminal matters throughout Central Arizona
Review, organize, and summarize complex criminal discovery, including: Police reports, Body camera footage, Dash camera footage, Recorded interviews, Photographs, Audio recordings, Laboratory and forensic reports, Medical records, Supplemental disclosure, Digital and electronic evidence
Identify missing, incomplete, inconsistent, or outstanding disclosure
Prepare clear discovery summaries, case timelines, witness lists, and issue outlines for attorney review
Track disclosure requests and follow up until outstanding materials are received or appropriately escalated
Draft and prepare legal documents under attorney supervision, including: Notices of Appearance, Requests for Discovery, Motions to Compel, Motions to Modify Release Conditions, Settlement memoranda, Sentencing memoranda, Subpoenas, Records requests, Client and court correspondence, Other criminal pleadings and case documents
Assist attorneys with hearing, sentencing, evidentiary, and trial preparation
Maintain accurate, organized, and current electronic case files
Calendar court appearances, filing deadlines, internal deadlines, and follow-up tasks with exceptional accuracy
Monitor court dockets and case activity
Coordinate with attorneys, courts, prosecutors, law enforcement agencies, experts, treatment providers, clients, and internal team members
Communicate consistently and compassionately with clients by phone, email, and text
Help clients understand case updates, upcoming obligations, and what to expect next
Maintain professional boundaries while building trust with clients and their families
Prioritize competing assignments and respond effectively when case needs change
Follow through on outstanding matters without constant reminders
Document work and substantive client communications in Clio
Track productive time accurately and consistently
Collaborate with attorneys and other paralegals to ensure cases continue progressing