Managing Criminal Defense Paralegal

Price Benowitz LLP•Washington, DC

4d•$31 - $43•Hybrid

About The Position

Price Benowitz LLP is seeking an experienced Managing Criminal Defense Paralegal to join our Criminal Defense practice. This is a hands-on leadership position for an accomplished criminal defense paralegal who can effectively manage complex matters while providing leadership, guidance, and oversight to the Criminal Defense support staff. The ideal candidate has significant experience with Washington, DC and federal criminal defense matters and understands the procedures, deadlines, filings, and demands associated with a fast-paced criminal defense practice. Our strong preference is for a candidate located in the Washington, DC metropolitan area who can work from our DC office. However, we will consider exceptional candidates outside the DC metro area for a fully remote arrangement, provided they are available for occasional travel to Washington, DC as needed.

Requirements

Minimum of 3 years of criminal defense paralegal experience, with more extensive experience preferred for this managing-level position.
Washington, DC criminal defense experience is strongly preferred.
Federal criminal defense experience is strongly preferred.
Strong familiarity with criminal court procedures, filings, discovery, deadlines, and litigation practices.
Prior experience managing, supervising, mentoring, or providing leadership to paralegals or legal support staff strongly preferred.
Demonstrated ability to independently manage complex criminal matters and anticipate attorney and case needs.
Excellent legal drafting, proofreading, organizational, and case management skills.
Strong experience managing discovery and preparing matters for hearings and trial.
Ability to prioritize multiple active cases and competing deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills.
Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
High degree of professionalism, discretion, sound judgment, and client service.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, legal case management systems, electronic court filing systems, and related legal technology.

Nice To Haves

We are looking for a seasoned criminal defense paralegal who combines strong substantive criminal defense experience with leadership ability.
The successful candidate is proactive and takes ownership of their work. They do not simply wait for assignments; they anticipate what attorneys and cases need, identify potential problems before they arise, follow through independently, and ensure matters continue moving forward.
As a manager, this individual should be comfortable establishing priorities, delegating work, mentoring staff, maintaining accountability, and serving as a knowledgeable resource for the Criminal Defense team.
Given the nature of our practice, meaningful Washington, DC and federal criminal defense experience will be particularly important in our evaluation of candidates.

Responsibilities

Manage and coordinate the Criminal Defense paralegal and support staff team, including workflow, assignments, priorities, and deadlines.
Provide hands-on paralegal support to attorneys handling complex criminal defense matters.
Support cases in Washington, DC Superior Court and the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, as well as other federal matters as applicable.
Manage criminal cases throughout the litigation lifecycle, from intake and investigation through hearings, trial preparation, sentencing, and post-trial matters.
Draft, review, and prepare motions, pleadings, correspondence, subpoenas, discovery-related documents, and other legal filings.
Prepare and electronically file documents in DC and federal courts while ensuring compliance with applicable rules, procedures, and deadlines.
Coordinate and manage discovery, including reviewing, organizing, summarizing, and maintaining large volumes of records, reports, video, audio, and other evidence.
Maintain attorney calendars and track court appearances, filing deadlines, hearings, trials, client meetings, and other critical dates.
Communicate professionally and compassionately with clients and their families regarding case status, documentation, scheduling, and other case-related matters.
Coordinate with attorneys, investigators, experts, court personnel, government agencies, and other parties as necessary.
Prepare hearing and trial materials, exhibits, witness files, attorney notebooks, and other litigation support materials.
Monitor case progress and proactively identify outstanding tasks, approaching deadlines, and potential issues.
Maintain accurate, organized, and up-to-date electronic case files.
Train, mentor, and support Criminal Defense staff while helping establish consistent processes and high standards across the team.
Accurately record billable time and assist with other case management and administrative responsibilities as needed.