Trial Legal Assistant - Los Angeles

Overview

The Federal Public Defender’s Office for the Central District of California is accepting applications for a full-time legal assistant position in our trial unit for our Los Angeles office. The Federal Public Defender’s office is committed to the pursuit of justice by aggressively advocating in federal court for the constitutional rights and inherent dignity of individuals who are charged with federal crimes and cannot afford their own lawyer.

• Provide a full range of executive-level secretarial and clerical support services to attorneys on trial, appellate, and habeas cases.
• File court documents electronically and manually; prepare and edit draft pleadings, reports, and correspondence; maintain attorneys’ calendars; and accurately maintain up-to-date case files and facility clearances.
• Compose correspondence; screen public and client telephone calls; and process mail as needed.
• Be assigned to three or four attorneys and assist with overflow coverage when needed.

• Graduated from an accredited school with a bachelor’s degree or at least one year of specialized experience performing progressively responsible duties as a legal assistant. Extensive relevant experience may substitute a bachelor’s degree.
• Demonstrate a high level of computer literacy, including expertise with Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat.
• Experience with legal practice-related programs such as evidence review platforms, document management systems, and document indexing tools is highly preferred.
• Knowledge of legal secretarial principles, practices, methods, and techniques; understanding of state, district and circuit court rules, protocols, policies, and precedents; and knowledge of legal terminology and Blue Book citation format.
• Ability to speak, read, and write in Spanish is preferred, but not required.
• Availability to work during regular business hours, and when necessary, during evenings, weekends, and occasionally holidays if in the middle of a trial. This is an in-office position. Telework is not available.
• A background investigation is required as a condition of employment.
• In line with current appropriations law, applicants must be United States citizens or permanent residents seeking citizenship as described here: https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).-judiciary

• Demonstrated interest in social justice, civil rights, or indigent defense.
• Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and technical skills; ability to organize work and set priorities to meet critical deadlines.
• Ability to learn new technological tools when needed; ability to work independently and take initiative; ability to work well in teams.

• Full-time, at-will position. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience and is subject to direct deposit.
• Benefits include health and life insurance, retirement, and a Thrift Savings Plan.
• For more information on benefits, see https:///benefits

Apply by submitting a letter of interest, résumé, and three references. Applications will be accepted until March 22, 2026, or until filled. Interviews will occur on a rolling basis and the open position may be filled before that date. Priority will be given to early applicants. The Federal Public Defender’s Office may fill current and future positions from this vacancy announcement.

Please, no phone calls.

The Federal Public Defender’s Office for the Central District of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants, regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or age, are encouraged to apply.