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

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

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Federal Public Defender’s Office for the Central District of California is hiring a full-time trial paralegal stationed in Santa Ana, California. The trial unit represents people accused or convicted of crimes who cannot afford their own lawyer, advocating in federal court for their constitutional rights and dignity. Trial paralegals provide a full range of services to trial attorneys in federal matters, including pre-indictment cases, trials, appeals, and habeas cases. The role requires availability during regular business hours and, when necessary, evenings and weekends. Travel to various locations may be required.

The position is full-time and at will. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. Benefits include health and life insurance, retirement, and a Thrift Savings Plan. 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 announcement. Applications are accepted until November 24, 2026, or until the position is filled; interviews are conducted on a rolling basis, and priority is given to early applicants. The office may use the vacancy announcement to fill current and future positions.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited school.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe Acrobat.
• Experience with online legal research databases, such as Westlaw and LexisNexis.
• Experience with legal document management databases, such as Excel, dtSearch, and CaseMap or similar databases.
• 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, take initiative, and work well in teams.
• Willingness to travel to various locations to complete required tasks.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident seeking citizenship as described in the announcement.
• Must undergo a background investigation as a condition of employment.

Nice To Haves

• ABA-certified paralegal certificate.
• Five or more years of paralegal experience.
• Criminal defense experience.
• Notary license.
• Experience with database programs such as Eclipse, CaseMap, Summation, or Relativity.
• Experience with digital courtroom presentation tools such as Trial Director or PowerPoint.
• Experience with forensic tools such as Cellebrite or Axiom.
• Experience with online research databases such as PACER, state court databases, Westlaw, LexisNexis, and Accurint.
• Proficiency with Office 365 applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams, and OneDrive, and with Adobe Acrobat and dtSearch.

Responsibilities

• Assist attorneys with case preparation, including trials, sentencing, and evidentiary hearings.
• Identify appropriate technology for reviewing and analyzing discovery and case materials.
• Review, analyze, and organize multifaceted discovery.
• Analyze, produce, and present reports and summaries of evidence for the defense team 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.
• Be available during regular business hours and, when necessary, evenings and weekends.
• Travel to various locations to complete required tasks.

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