Paralegal
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Paralegal
Salary
$4,745.00 Monthly
Location
Douglas County, CO
Job Type
Full Time
Job Number
JCA-DGLPAR-090525
Department
Office of the State Public Defender
Opening Date
09/05/2025
Closing Date
9/19/2025 11:59 PM Mountain
FLSA
Determined by Position
Primary Physical Work Address
1161 S Perry St, Castle Rock, Colorado 80104
Department Contact Information
amy.mendigorin@coloradodefenders.us
Type of Announcement
This announcement is not governed by the selection processes of the classified personnel system. Applications will be considered from residents and non-residents of Colorado.
How To Apply
Online applications through the Colorado Jobs portal will not be accepted. Please follow instructions on the job announcement for submitting an application.
Description
Benefits
Department Information
Colorado's Office of the State Public Defender (OSPD) maintains a reputation as one of the top organizations in the nation specializing in the delivery of indigent criminal defense. We operate as an independent agency within the Judicial Branch of Colorado State Government with nearly 1,000 dedicated employees assigned to twenty-one Regional Trial Offices, a centralized Appellate Division, and a centralized Administrative Office. The mission of OSPD is to defend and protect the rights, liberties and dignity of those accused of crimes who cannot afford to retain counsel. We do so by providing constitutionally and statutorily mandated representation that is effective, zealous, inspired and compassionate.
We seek to hire professionals who are dedicated to furthering our mission and demonstrate compassion in their service to our clients. We are a fast paced, team-oriented environment, where self-motivation and a personal commitment to high performance are important attributes for success.
How to Apply:
Please e-mail your résumé and cover letter outlining your interest in this position and how you meet the qualifications to Amy Mendigorin toamy.mendigorin@coloradodefenders.us
The deadline for applying is 11:59 p.m. on September 19, 2025.
Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we cannot personally respond to each submission. We will notify you by phone and/or e-mail if you are selected for an interview.
Resumes must include dates of employment but, you may redact or remove any information that will identify your age, date of birth or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.
BENEFITS OF WORKING FOR OSPD:
3 Health Plans- Cigna
Basic Vision Insurance - included with medical plans
Dental Insurance
State Paid Life Insurance
State Paid Short-Term Disability
FSA - Healthcare and Dependent Care
HSA Plan with Employer Contribution
Generous Paid Time Off
11 paid holidays
Access to Mental Health and Well-Being Resources
Colorado PERA
401(k) and 457 Supplemental Retirement Plans
For more information on benefits please visit https://dhr.colorado.gov/state-employees/state-of-colorado-employee-benefits. For additional information on PERA visit www.copera.org.
Additional information about the Office of the Colorado State Public Defender can be found at:http://www.coloradodefenders.us/
Description of Job
We are recruiting to fill one Paralegal position for our Douglas location. This is the first level within the paralegal series wherein employees learn and apply criminal procedures, rules and laws guiding legal practice in criminal defense; and, apply the principles and practices of a paralegal nature to support and assist with a variety of litigation needs. Positions perform duties and assume responsibility for supporting divisions, units, and clients under the specific direction, instruction and guidance of a defense attorney. Public Defender paralegals serve as part of the defense team, and as such, are bound by the Colorado Rules of Professional Conduct including rules regarding the attorney-client privilege and client confidentiality.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities:
Manages and organizes discovery. Converts electronic files to PDF and other formats. Builds trial notebooks, creates digital bookmarks and indexes for easy reference and access by the attorneys and defense team. Creates spreadsheets to manage and organize case records and information including, but not limited to, discovery, witnesses, evidence and exhibits.
Reviews and summarizes discovery, videos, and witness interviews. Identifies matters of significance and brings to the attention of the defense team. Reviews discovery with the client. Requests and reviews client records, court records and transcripts to complete case files.
Reviews client charges, pleadings, and court orders and researches legal issues as requested by the attorney such as, searching and reviewing statutes, case law, and legal articles for legal precedent, mitigation and sentencing considerations. May assist attorneys in identifying potential conflicts of interest.
Searches case-related information as requested by the attorney such as, trending media, news publications, and anything referencing the case, client, codefendants or witnesses that may assist in the preparation of the case, hearing, trial, juror selection or defense strategies.
Keeps attorneys and defense teams updated as new information is added to the case files.
Under the attorney's direction and review, drafts routine and standard motions, briefs and legal memoranda. Proofreads and edits motions prepared by attorneys. Files pleadings and motions. Redacts documents.
Paralegals in the trial offices may prepare appellate packets and coordinate with the Appellate office to ensure timely provision of materials. Paralegals in Appellate, review appellate packets and communicate with the trial offices and other counsel about additional materials needed to timely file Notices of Appeal or complete the record.
Tracks and monitors case status and critical timelines on assigned cases to ensure court filings are processed in accordance with established criminal procedures, rules and laws. Keeps attorneys and clients apprised, as appropriate.
Provides support for hearings or trials as requested by the attorney including, but not limited to, jury selection; tracking of witnesses; tracking of exhibits; client communication; note taking and documentation of events; coordination of trial materials; and, technical assistance with audio/visual platforms for evidence and Power-Point presentations.
Drafts and responds to correspondence from clients, client family members, and representatives from collateral agencies, to obtain and exchange pertinent information in accordance with policy and procedure.
Performs a variety of administrative tasks as needed to support the defense team and client, which requires the processing of forms, documents and transactions in accordance with State Office policy and procedure.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
Education and Qualifications:
Education and Qualifications:
Paralegal certificate from an ABA approved paralegal studies program or accredited institution;
OR
Two years of a combination of training and experience performing legal support functions such as, organizing and preparing large legal case files for review by an attorney or presentation in court; legal research; preparing drafts of legal documents; and, compiling and analyzing records and data from legal sources, may substitute for the required education.
Preferred Qualifications:
A bachelor's degree in paralegal studies or related field;
Experience conducting legal research;
Experience working with large case files;
Experience in a public defender system;
Experience working with indigent populations.
Knowledge:
English language, grammar and punctuation;
Basic understanding of legal terminology;
General understanding of court and legal processes.
Skills:
Strong client service focus;
High degree of professionalism, discretion and confidentiality;
Strong attention to detail;
Research skills;
Strong organizational and time management skills;
Ability to learn and apply relevant criminal procedures, rules and laws;
Ability to complete tasks and assignments with frequent interruptions;
Strong interpersonal skills;
Ability to establish positive and respectful working relationships with clients, client families and persons of diverse backgrounds;
Ability to develop and maintain collaborative relationships with members of the Public Defense system, court personnel, witnesses, and representatives of collateral agencies;
Strong communication skills, both written and verbal;
Proficiency in standard software applications such as, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Power-Point), internet browsers, and e-mail;
Ability to learn and utilize Adobe Acrobat and audio/visual software and equipment;
Ability to process and organize large amounts of information.
Supplemental Information
In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire."
NON-DISCRIMINATION
The Office of the Colorado State Public Defender provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, marital status or other protected status, in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Consistent with this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including the application and selection process. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation, please contact adarequest@coloradodefenders.us
Please note that each agency's contact information is different; therefore, we encourage all applicants to view the full, official job announcement which includes contact information and class title. Select the job you wish to view, then click on the "Print" icon.
Employer
State of Colorado
Address
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Website
https://careers.colorado.gov/
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