Paralegal

Defender Association of Philadelphia•Philadelphia, PA

39d•Onsite

About The Position

The Federal Community Defender Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania has an opening in its Capital Habeas Unit (CHU) for one or more Paralegals. The CHU represents indigent, death-sentenced prisoners in federal habeas corpus proceedings throughout the United States in all stages of litigation. Our office is located in Philadelphia’s vibrant Center City district, in the historic Curtis building, close to the federal courthouse and across from Independence Mall, the Liberty Bell, and Washington Square Park.

Requirements

Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Word, Microsoft Outlook, and Microsoft Excel
Strong oral and written communication skills
Strong interpersonal skills
Ability to work well independently and on teams
Ability to exercise mature judgment
Ability to meet deadlines
Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously
Ability to work well with clients, their families, and others
Valid driver’s license

Nice To Haves

Minimum of three years of experience, preferably in criminal practice, federal court practice, or document-intensive litigation
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university or relevant knowledge and skills may substitute for experience
Demonstrated commitment to social justice and/or indigent defense
Experience with computer-assisted research
Fluency (oral and written) in the Spanish language

Responsibilities

Meeting with clients
Gathering, reviewing, summarizing, organizing, and indexing electronic and paper documents comprising investigative files and court records
Maintaining electronic databases of case records
Assisting with the preparation of case-related forms, memoranda, and appendices
Preparing exhibits for evidentiary hearings
Supporting the presentation of evidence during evidentiary hearings
Facilitating client contact and correspondence
Traveling to various other jurisdictions for record collection and client meetings