Litigation Support Paralegal

The Federal Public Defender for the Western District of Pennsylvania is accepting applications for the position of Litigation Support Paralegal.

This role provides a full range of support to attorneys in all types of federal matters, including pre-indictment cases, trials, appeals, and habeas cases.

The Litigation Support Paralegal works in a fast-paced legal environment and must be able to manage multiple priorities while maintaining accuracy and confidentiality. The role requires professionalism, strong organizational skills, and the ability to support attorneys throughout all phases of litigation. This position will primarily support the Trial Unit and the Appeals/Non-Capital Habeas Unit in the Pittsburgh office.

Duties and Responsibilities of the Litigation Support Paralegal:

• Assist attorneys in case preparation, including trials, sentencing, and evidentiary hearings

• Identify the best technology for review and analysis of discovery and case material

• Review, analyze, and organize multi-faceted discovery

• Analyze, produce, and present reports and summarize evidence for the defense team or for presentations in the courtroom

• Create, maintain, and update indices, chronologies, witness lists, witness files, and documents

• Identify and prepare documents for experts

• Attend meetings with clients in/out of custody

• Use technology to analyze, present and communicate information to case teams

• Use database programs (e.g. Eclipse, CaseMap, Summation, Relativity) to manage and review electronically stored information

• Use digital presentation tools in the courtroom

• Use forensic tools to review and extract data from forensically captured digital decides

Qualifications:

Applicants must be high school graduates or equivalent; with at least three years of general work experience and three years of specialized experience. Education above the high school level may be substituted for experience requirements. Additional education or certification as a Paralegal is preferred but not required.

Qualified candidates should possess:

• A strong legal, administrative, or paralegal background

• Excellent organization, communication, and administrative skills

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Acrobat, and legal research tools such as Westlaw and Lexis

This position requires considerable initiative, resourcefulness, creativity and drive; excellent writing skills, computer proficiency, the ability to communicate and work well with others; and a commitment to obtaining justice for indigent persons.

Application Process:

Interested applicants are invited to apply by submitting a single pdf document that includes a cover letter, resume, and writing sample via email to the attention of: Elisa A. Long, Federal Public Defender, [email protected], Subject: 2026-04

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $77,211.00 - $169,060.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Work Location: In person