Litigation Support Paralegal – Case Analysis

Federal Defenders of San Diego, Inc. (FDSDI) is seeking a full-time Litigation Support Paralegal to work with defense teams in the San Diego office. FDSDI is the Community Defender Organization for the Southern District of California, serving San Diego and Imperial Counties, and operates under the authority of 18 U.S.C. § 3006A(g)(2)(B) to provide federal criminal defense services by court appointment to individuals who are unable to afford counsel.

The Litigation Support Paralegal plays a critical role in working with defense teams reviewing, analyzing and organizing discovery to help develop and implement case strategies to meet the needs of each individual case. This position is responsible for creating and maintaining discovery review databases, processing and organizing large volumes of digital evidence, and producing and presenting reports that summarize evidence for defense teams. The ideal candidate is highly organized, technically skilled, and enjoys working collaboratively in a fast-paced legal environment.

This is a full-time, in-person position based in our San Diego office.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Litigation Support Paralegals provide a full range of paralegal and litigation support to staff attorneys. General duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

•        Using discovery review programs (e.g., Eclipse, CaseMap, CasePoint, Relativity) to organize and review discovery

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

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

•        Producing and presenting reports that summarize evidence for the defense team or for presentations in the courtroom

•        Creating, maintaining, and updating indices, chronologies, witness lists, witness files and documents

•        Identifying and preparing documents for experts

•        Attending meetings with clients in/out of custody

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

•        Editing and ingesting load files, tagging, and exporting content from discovery review programs

•        Using digital presentation tools in the courtroom (e.g., Trial Director, PowerPoint)

•        Using forensic tools (e.g., Cellebrite, Axiom) to review and extract data from forensically captured digital devices

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Minimum of three years of general experience and two years of specialized experience in litigation support, information technology, paralegal work, or a closely related field.
• Experience with litigation support and e-discovery tools such as CaseMap, dtSearch, IPRO Eclipse, Relativity, CasePoint, and dtSearch
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat Pro, Windows file systems, and a variety of file formats.
• Strong technical, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in computer technology, information management, criminal justice, paralegal studies, or a related field.

·      Experience editing and ingesting load files, tagging and exporting content.

·      Experience with digital forensics review tools such as Cellebrite Reader, Magnet AXIOM, FTK imager, or XRY/XAMN viewer.

• Spanish language skills (speaking, reading, and/or writing).

Salary and Benefits:

Salary will be commensurate with experience. The starting salary range is: JSP 11/1 ($85,307) to JSP 14/10 ($186,785). The position does include employee benefits including health and life insurance as well as a 401k plan. Salary is payable only by Electronic Funds Transfer (direct deposit). This position is at will and is subject to the availability of funds. Employment is subject to a satisfactory background investigation. This position offers two days of telework per month at the conclusion of the probationary period. Full-time telework is not available.

Accessibility:

We are committed to an inclusive and accessible application process. If you need an accommodation due to a disability during any stage of the application or interview process, please contact our Personnel Administrator at Kym_Bryant@fd.org. If hired, we are dedicated to providing reasonable accommodations to support your success and ensure equal access to opportunities in the workplace.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion:

Our office values diversity, is committed to equity and inclusion, and aspires to create a culture of mutual respect, collaboration, openness, and humility that honors the people we represent. We believe representation is better when members of the defense team have diverse backgrounds and experiences. In our hiring, we seek individuals who share this belief and commitment. We embrace the unique contributions our employees can bring to the office because of their backgrounds, social identities, and lived experiences.

How to Apply:

Interested applicants are invited to apply by submitting a single pdf document that includes a cover letter, resume, and three references via email to the attention of:

Michelle Betancourt, First Assistant

hiring@fdsdi.com

Subject: Litigation Support Paralegal Position (Case Analysis) – San Diego

Hiring Timeline:

We value transparency in our hiring process and want applicants to know what to expect. Below are the key dates:

• Application Deadline: July 17, 2026 (priority consideration given to applications received by this date; applications will remain open until filled)
• Interviews: Conducted on a rolling basis
• Anticipated Start Date: On or around August 1, 2026, but no later than August 31, 2026.