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Federal Public Defender’s Office, District of Utah (February 25, 2026) Position Location: St. George, Utah
The Federal Public Defender for the District of Utah is accepting applications for a full-time Paralegal to be stationed in our St. George, Utah, Branch Office. The federal defender organization operates under the authority of the Criminal Justice Act, 18 U.S.C. §3006A, to provide legal defense representation to individuals unable to afford counsel who are charged with federal criminal offenses and related matters in the federal courts. Our office is made up of a dedicated team of attorneys, investigators, paralegals, and administrative staff.
Requirements:
Applicants must be high school graduates or equivalent, with at least three years of general work experience and three years of specialized experience. Education above the high school level in accredited institutions may be substituted for general experience. Additional education or certification as a Paralegal is preferred.
A working knowledge of legal terminology and court procedures;
Multitasking and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks;
Computer proficiency, including a working knowledge of Adobe Acrobat and Microsoft Office Suite;
Basic knowledge of legal research tools such as Westlaw and Lexis preferred but not required;
Excellent verbal and written communication skills. The ability to work within a team and maintain a friendly, open demeanor during periods of increased demand.
Experience with document management or litigation support software such as Trial Director, DTSearch, Eclipse, PowerPoint, or CaseMap;
Applicants must be U.S. citizens or eligible to work in and for the United States.
Preferred Qualifications: Bilingual (English/Spanish) fluency is a plus.
Duties: Paralegals provide a full range of paralegal services and litigation support to staff attorneys. General duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
All aspects of case preparation and file management;
Providing case support and analysis at varying stages of litigation;
Writing, including preparation of trial pleadings and sentencing mitigation materials, drafted effectively and written with attention to detail;
Reviewing and analyzing discovery and case documents;
Gathering and maintaining records;
Organizing and maintaining voluminous discovery and electronically stored information (ESI) using a range of formats and platforms;
Use of litigation support technology in the organization, analysis, and preparation of cases;
Identifying subject matter experts, assisting with hiring and working with experts, and maintaining a database of experts;
Interviewing and maintaining regular communication with clients and assisting clients with ancillary matters;
Preparing demonstrative evidence and exhibits for pleadings, hearings, and trials;
Assisting attorneys at hearings, trials, and sentencings using presentation software such as Trial Director and PowerPoint; and
Working with attorneys to develop and recommend appropriate strategies to meet the litigation needs and providing trial team training utilizing litigation support tools.
Selection criteria: The successful candidate must demonstrate or have a reputation for personal and professional integrity and must be committed to helping indigent accused individuals. Candidates must possess the ability to communicate effectively with clients, witnesses, colleagues, and work well with staff and court personnel.
Salary and Benefits: This position is in the Grade 11 to Grade 14 range of the Judicial Salary Plan, effective January 12, 2026, with a salary range of $74,678 to $163,514. Salary dependent upon qualifications and experience, and payable only by electronic funds transfer (direct deposit). This is a full-time position, Monday through Friday, 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. with a comprehensive federal government benefits package that includes, in part: paid vacation, paid sick leave, paid holidays, life insurance, health insurance, dental and vision insurance, and participation in the Federal Employees’ Retirement System.
Conditions of Employment: Appointment to the position is contingent upon the successful completion of an FBI fingerprint and background check and/or investigation. The selectee may be appointed provisionally, and retention will depend upon a favorable suitability determination of the background check. Employees of the Federal Public Defender are members of the judicial branch of government and are considered “at will” and can be terminated with or without cause.
Application Procedure: For consideration, applicants must submit a cover letter, a resume, and three professional references. Submit application materials in a single PDF by email to: Federal Public Defender Office Subject Line: Paralegal #2026-02 Attn: Paula Thompson, Administrative Assistant [email protected]
Open Period: February 25, 2026, through March 13, 2026
The Federal Public Defender reserves the right to fill the position sooner than the closing date without prior written or other notice.
Position is subject to the continued availability of funding. The Federal Public Defender 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.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit (January 5, 2026) Federal Circuit Judge Scott M. Matheson, Jr. is seeking qualified applicants for a paralegal position within his chambers. The paralegal serves as the primary assistant to the Judge and as office manager. Full announcement and application instructions are available here: https://www.ca10.uscourts.gov/hr/jobs
The Paralegal Division of the Utah State Bar makes no representations with regard to the position(s) posted here and is merely passing along the information provided to them by the person submitting the ad. Please note that the Paralegal Division will only post job ads for paralegal positions. Thank you!