Early Resolution Docket Paralegal

Initial Posting Date

03/25/2026

Application Deadline

04/04/2026

Agency

Oregon Public Defense Commission

Salary Range

$4,848 - $7,163

Position Type

Employee

Position Title

Early Resolution Docket Paralegal

Job Description

We are seeking a highly organized and detail-oriented Early Resolution Docket Paralegal to play a vital role in supporting case development, litigation preparation, and timely case resolution. In this dynamic position, you will collaborate with attorneys, clients, court personnel, and opposing parties while managing case files, conducting legal research, and preparing critical legal documents and materials. The ideal candidate is a strong communicator with excellent analytical skills who thrives in a fast-paced legal environment and is committed to accuracy, professionalism, and effective case management. Please note: this opportunity is open only to current OPDC employees. If you are looking for a meaningful opportunity to contribute to impactful legal work and grow within the organization, we encourage you to apply.

    

Position: Early Resolution Docket Paralegal

• You must be a current OPDC employee to apply.
• This recruitment will be used to establish a list of qualified applicants to fill the current vacancy and may be used to fill future vacancies as they occur. 
• This is a hybrid position
  
  

Location: Salem, Oregon

Salary Range: $4,848- $7,162

What’s In It For You

You will be a part of an innovative and strategic group of professionals while ensuring safety. Additional benefits include:

• OPDC supports and encourages work/life balance and overall wellness and offers a generous benefits package including, employer-paid health insurance, vacation, and sick leave, eleven paid holidays, three paid personal days, flexible spending accounts, and an employer contribution retirement plan (PERS).  The posted salary range is the total possible range for the classification. If you are already a participating PERS member or once you become PERS eligible, the salary range will increase by 6%.
• Advancement and learning opportunities that will help you grow your career.
• Get There! – Oregon’s easy-to-use carpool matching tool and trip planner.
  
  

 Minimum Qualifications  

Two years associate degree in paralegal or legal assistant studies. 

OR 

Eighteen months of Paralegal experience. 

OR

Any combination of training and experience that demonstrates experience in legal work, independent judgment, legal terminology principles, concepts, systems, and processes.

Experience must include trial level case management, legal ethics, and skill in preparing legal documents.

What you will do  

This position will play a vital role in the Early Resolution Program, including obtaining, processing, and organizing case documents and client information, updating our case management system, preparing and filing legal documents, court preparation, scheduling for multiple attorneys, attending court and stakeholder meetings, and communicating with internal and external stakeholders. This role will also assist the Senior Early Resolution Attorney in the development and operation of a statewide Early Resolution Program. This position will provide significant exposure to clients, jails and correctional facilities and staff, courts, and other public safety agencies.

Application Guidance & Requirements:    

• REQUIRED: Attach your most up-to-date resume. Please ensure your Workday profile aligns with your submission.  
• REQUIRED: Attach a cover letter that details how you meet the desired attributes for this position. You cover letter should be no more than 2 pages.  (A cover letter that does not meet the required criteria will be graded as ineligible.) 
• APPLICATIONS THAT DO NOT PROVIDE THE ABOVE DOCUMENTS WILL NOT MOVE FORWARD IN THE RECRUITMENT**    
  
  

Duties   

Client Contact, Communications with Other Persons, and Court, Case, and Trial/Hearings Preparation

An Early Resolution Docket Paralegal manages daily communication with clients, opposing parties, court personnel, and other stakeholders to support case development and resolution. They review case files for completeness, gather discovery materials, and maintain organized litigation support systems and case records. The role includes preparing for litigation by coordinating interviews, drafting subpoenas, organizing exhibits, summarizing proceedings, and identifying key legal issues. Additionally, they assist attorneys with court preparation, track deadlines, prepare legal correspondence and reports, and help coordinate and prepare witnesses for hearings.

Legal Research & Writing

In this role, the Early Resolution Docket Paralegal conducts legal research on statutes, case law, and legislative history to support attorneys in developing arguments for motions, briefs, and criminal case responses. They analyze and summarize legal authorities, draft memoranda and legal documents, and assist with discovery motions, public records requests, and confidentiality reviews. The role also includes examining and organizing discovery materials, identifying relevant evidence, and preparing document requests and productions. Additionally, they draft and review subpoenas, pleadings, and other legal filings, while summarizing opposing arguments and ensuring accuracy through cite-checking and proofreading.

The Top Ten (10) Desired Attributes for this Role

• Legal Research & Writing Skills: Ability to produce clear, accurate legal documents, memoranda, and summaries.
• Case Management & Organization: Strong ability to manage multiple case files, maintain databases, track documents, and keep case materials organized and accessible.
• Discovery & Document Handling Expertise: Skilled in gathering, reviewing, indexing, and producing discovery materials, including identifying relevant evidence and maintaining confidentiality.
• Litigation & Trial Preparation: Proficiency in preparing subpoenas, exhibits, witness materials, and preparing attorneys for hearings and trial readiness.
• Deadline & Calendar Management: Ability to monitor court deadlines, manage schedules, and ensure timely filings and case progression.
• Attention to Detail: High level of accuracy in reviewing documents, cite-checking, proofreading, and ensuring completeness of case files.
• Communication & Interpersonal Skills: Professional and effective communication with clients, attorneys, court personnel, and opposing parties, both verbally and in writing.
• Critical Thinking & Analytical Ability: Capacity to identify issues, interpret complex information, and support case strategy through thoughtful analysis.
• Time Management: Ability to prioritize competing tasks and manage a high-volume caseload efficiently under pressure.
• Professionalism & Discretion: Promote a respectful, inclusive, and harassment-free work environment by valuing diverse perspectives and demonstrating cultural competence in all interactions.
  
  

Who we are.  

The Oregon Public Defense Commission (OPDC) is an agency governed by a 13-member commission appointed by the Governor, which serves as the governing body for Oregon’s public defense system. The Commission provides policy direction and oversight for the administration of the system. The legal services provided by OPDC represent an essential component of Oregon’s public safety system.   

OPDC’s mission is to ensure constitutionally competent and effective legal representation for people eligible for a public defender.  Its office includes the Executive, Appellate, Trial, Trial Development & Resources, and Administrative Services Divisions.  

 

OPDC negotiates contracts with trial-level public defense providers and administers and distributes funds for representation and related services for cases during the biennium for criminal, juvenile, and civil commitment cases. The Agency provides compliance and oversight to the trial community providers through quality assurance practices, training, and education. Financial Services processes all expenses related to representation in public defense cases. The Appellate Division provides direct legal representation in the state appellate courts in criminal cases, juvenile dependency and termination of parental rights cases, and parole cases. Other services in the Agency include Data Collection and Analysis, General Counsel, Human Resources, Information Technology Services, Internal Audit, and Policy Development.     

Recruitment Timeline   

• These dates are approximate and may change. *     
• Recruitment Closes: Sunday, April 5, 2026 @ 11:59P
• Recruiter Screening for Minimum Qualifications: On-going  
• Hiring Manager Screening for Desired Attributes: On-going  
• First-Round Interviews: Week of April 6, 2026
  
  

Additional Details

• The information in your application will be used to complete a pay equity assessment to determine salary placement upon hire. Please see the link here to our Pay Equity Project.
• The State of Oregon does not request or require your age, date of birth, attendance or graduation dates from an educational institution during the application process.
• Eligible veterans, disabled veterans, and current/former servicemembers of the Oregon National Guard who meet the qualifications are eligible for Candidate Preference. For more information, please visit Veterans Resources.
• OPDC does not offer visa sponsorship. Within three days of hire, applicants will be required to complete I-9 documentation and confirm authorization to work in the United States. If your employment authorization and documentation is contingent on sponsorship now or in the future, you will not meet Agency employment eligibility standards.
  
  

The Oregon Public Defense Commission is committed to inclusive excellence by advancing equity and diversity in all that we do. We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity, Fair Chance employer and encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ community members, justice impacted and others to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community.