Trial Paralegal - Santa Ana - Closing 11/24/2026

Federal Public Defender, Central District of California • Santa Ana, CA

6d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Federal Public Defender’s Office for the Central District of California is hiring a full-time paralegal for its trial unit in Santa Ana, California. The trial unit advocates in federal court for the constitutional rights and dignity of people accused or convicted of crimes who cannot afford their own lawyer. Trial paralegals provide a full range of paralegal services to trial attorneys in federal matters, including pre-indictment cases, trials, appeals, and habeas cases. The position requires availability during regular business hours and, when necessary, evenings and weekends. Applicants must be willing to travel to various locations for required tasks. After successfully completing a probationary period, eligible employees may elect to telework up to two days per week, subject to conditions. A background investigation is required. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents seeking citizenship as described in the posting.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited school.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe Acrobat.
• Experience with online research databases such as Westlaw or LexisNexis.
• Experience with legal document management databases, such as Excel, dtSearch, CaseMap, or similar databases.
• Willingness to travel to various locations to complete required tasks.
• Must be a United States citizen or permanent resident seeking citizenship, as described in the posting.
• Must undergo a background investigation as a condition of employment.
• Demonstrated commitment to indigent criminal defense and/or public interest law.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong legal research and writing skills.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills.
• Ability to work independently, be flexible, and take initiative, and work well in teams.

Nice To Haves

• ABA-certified paralegal certificate.
• Five or more years of paralegal experience.
• Criminal defense experience.
• Notary license.

Responsibilities

• Assist attorneys with case preparation, including trials, sentencing, and evidentiary hearings.
• Identify suitable technology for reviewing and analyzing discovery and case material.
• Review, analyze, and organize multifaceted discovery.
• Analyze, produce, and present reports and evidence summaries for defense teams 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 and out of custody.
• Use technology to analyze, present, and communicate information to case teams.
• Use database programs to manage and review electronically stored information; edit and ingest load files, tag content, and export it.
• Use digital presentation tools in the courtroom.
• Use forensic tools to review and extract data from forensically captured digital devices.
• Edit and convert audio and video files and work with proprietary video formats.

Benefits

• Health insurance.
• Life insurance.
• Retirement benefits.
• Thrift Savings Plan.
• Eligible employees may elect to telework up to two days per week after successfully completing a probationary period, subject to conditions.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level