Paralegal.

About the Organization

The Colorado Office of the State Public Defender (OSPD) is an independent agency within the Judicial Branch of Colorado State Government. With nearly 1,000 dedicated employees across twenty-one Regional Trial Offices, a centralized Appellate Division, and a centralized Administrative Office, OSPD is recognized as one of the top organizations in the nation specializing in indigent criminal defense. Our mission is to defend and protect the rights, liberties, and dignity of those accused of crimes who cannot afford counsel by providing constitutionally and statutorily mandated representation that is effective, zealous, inspired, and compassionate.

We seek professionals who are dedicated to furthering our mission and demonstrate compassion in their service to clients. The work environment is fast-paced and team-oriented, requiring self-motivation and a personal commitment to high performance.

About the Role

This position is for a Paralegal within the Colorado State Public Defender’s regional trial offices. It represents the first level in the paralegal series, where employees learn and apply criminal procedures, rules, and laws guiding legal practice in criminal defense. Paralegals support and assist with a variety of litigation needs under the direction and guidance of a defense attorney. As part of the defense team, paralegals are bound by the Colorado Rules of Professional Conduct, including rules regarding attorney-client privilege and client confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Manages and organizes discovery, including converting electronic files to PDF and other formats.
• Builds trial notebooks, creates digital bookmarks, and indexes for easy reference by attorneys and the defense team.
• Creates spreadsheets to manage case records, including discovery, witnesses, evidence, and exhibits.
• Reviews and summarizes discovery, videos, and witness interviews; orders transcripts; and identifies significant matters for the defense team.
• Reviews discovery with clients and requests client records, court records, and transcripts to complete case files.
• Reviews client charges, pleadings, and court orders; researches legal issues such as statutes, case law, and legal articles for precedent, mitigation, and sentencing considerations.
• Assists attorneys in identifying potential conflicts of interest.
• Searches case-related information, including trending media, news publications, and references to the case, client, codefendants, or witnesses.
• Keeps attorneys and defense teams updated as new information is added to case files.
• Drafts routine motions, briefs, and legal memoranda under attorney direction; proofreads and edits motions; files pleadings; and redacts documents.
• Prepares appellate packets and coordinates with the Appellate office to ensure timely provision of materials (trial offices). Reviews appellate packets and communicates with trial offices about additional materials (Appellate).
• Tracks and monitors case status and critical timelines to ensure compliance with criminal procedures, rules, and laws; keeps attorneys and clients informed.
• Provides support for hearings or trials, including jury selection, witness tracking, exhibit tracking, client communication, note-taking, coordination of trial materials, and technical assistance with audio/visual platforms.
• Drafts and responds to correspondence from clients, client family members, and collateral agencies to obtain and exchange pertinent information.
• Performs administrative tasks to support the defense team and client, ensuring compliance with state office policies and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical Insurance
• Basic Vision Insurance (included with medical plans)
• Dental Insurance
• State-Paid Life Insurance
• State-Paid Short-Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) – Healthcare and Dependent Care
• HSA Plan with Employer Contribution
• Generous Paid Time Off & Sick Leave
• Flexible Schedules
• 11 paid holidays
• Access to Mental Health and Well-Being Resources
• Colorado PERA Retirement Plan
• 401(k) and 457 Supplemental Retirement Plans

For more information on benefits, visit https://dhr.colorado.gov/state-employees/state-of-colorado-employee-benefits. For additional information on PERA, visit www.copera.org.