The Federal Public Defender for the Western District of Pennsylvania is accepting applications for the position of Paralegal to join the defense team in a federal capital case. This position is fully remote, and candidates may reside anywhere in the United States. It is open to full-time or part-time work. This is a term appointment expected to last for the duration of the case.
The Paralegal is an integral member of the capital defense team and works under the direction of learned counsel to manage the documentary side of a federal death-penalty prosecution. The position organizes and maintains the voluminous discovery, records, and work product generated in a capital case; builds and administers the team’s document-review and case-management databases; cite-checks and finalizes pleadings; prepares exhibits and trial materials; and tracks court deadlines and filings. The Paralegal also assists attorneys and investigators with legal research, with the collection and organization of social history and other records, and with client, expert, and witness contact. A strong preference will be given to candidates with prior federal capital trial experience and experience managing large-volume discovery and e-discovery platforms.
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. The ability to read, write, and speak fluently in Spanish or Portuguese is preferred but not required.
Qualified candidates should possess:
• A strong legal, administrative, or paralegal background, preferably in federal criminal defense.
• Experience with e-discovery and litigation-support platforms (such as Air Table, Relativity, Everlaw, or similar), CM/ECF, and large-volume document management.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Acrobat, and legal research tools such as Westlaw and Lexis, and a willingness to learn other programs, as needed.
• Excellent organization, writing, proofreading, and communication skills.
This position requires considerable initiative, resourcefulness, and creativity; the ability to communicate and work well with others; and a commitment to obtaining justice for indigent persons. Because this is a remote position, applicants must have a suitable, private workspace and reliable high-speed internet access; the office will provide necessary computer equipment and secure access to office systems.
This position requires some travel for client visits, team meetings, hearings, and trial, which may involve extended stays during trial. Travel expenses are reimbursed in accordance with federal judiciary travel regulations.
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: 2026-14. Please indicate in your cover letter whether you are seeking full-time or part-time work and describe your prior capital and complex-litigation experience.
Please see the careers section of our website for full information: https://paw.fd.org/employment
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