Paralegal

Job Description

Paralegal | Maricopa County

The Tone:
This is an unclassified role at Maricopa County, located in Phoenix, AZ, within the Public Defender’s Office. As one of the largest public defender offices in the country, Maricopa County provides client-centered legal representation in a full range of criminal matters to clients unable to afford legal counsel. This role is crucial in maintaining top-notch representation for clients by working on all aspects of the defense case, from indictment to sentencing, and contributing to the defense of constitutional rights.

The TL;DR
• Role: Early Career
• Type: Full-time
• Location: In-person, Phoenix, AZ
• Pay: $23.40–$40.25 hourly
• Team: Public Defender’s Office, assisting attorneys
• Mission: Maintain top-notch representation of clients by working on all aspects of the defense case, from indictment to sentencing.

What You’ll Actually Do
• Discovery Management: Collect, analyze, organize, investigate, and summarize discovery or other materials for defense cases.
• Legal Preparation: Assist attorneys with comprehensive preparation for various legal proceedings, including creating trial notebooks, witness files, and trial exhibits.
• Strategy Development: Support attorneys in developing defense strategies and case theories, and assist in jury selection and trial proceedings.
• Client & Witness Interaction: Maintain contact with clients and their families regarding case status, and interview witnesses to gather facts for defense.
• Research & Expert Sourcing: Research legal or factual issues for attorneys and facilitate the research and retention of expert witnesses based on case facts.

The Must-Haves
• Background: Entry-level to mid-level role for individuals with an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies, legal assistance, or legal studies. Candidates with an unrelated degree must also possess a paralegal certificate.
• Experience: Up to two years of experience as a paralegal, legal assistant, or in roles involving legal procedures, terminology, or administration; experience requirements vary based on educational background.
• Skills:
• Legal Document Preparation
• Discovery Management and Analysis
• Legal Research and Factual Investigation
• Client and Witness Communication
• Technological Software Utilization
• Bonus: Experience working specifically within a criminal justice office.