Senior Paralegal for a Criminal Defense Lawyer

Job Description Job Description

Job Title: CRIMINAL DEFENSE PARALEGAL - COMPLEX CASELOAD & COLLABORATIVE TEAM

ABOUT US

We are a boutique criminal defense firm in Mesa with a highly specialized focus on felony sex crime defense.

Unlike high-volume firms that measure success by how many cases they can cycle through, we intentionally limit our caseload. We focus on quality over volume and take genuine pride in truly knowing our clients and their cases. We are a small, collaborative team and we operate with a level of trust and mutual respect that is rare in this field.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We are seeking an experienced paralegal who is great at what they do but ready for a better environment than the typical high-volume criminal defense office.

We are looking for a professional who takes genuine ownership of their caseload, someone who spots what needs attention before being asked, solves problems independently, and brings that same confidence to every client interaction. The caseload is manageable by design and the pace is steady, not frantic.

If your instinct is to wait for the next assignment rather than look for what needs doing, this is probably not the right fit.

HOW YOU WILL SPEND YOUR TIME

60% - Core Paralegal Work
Drafting motions, filing documents, managing the attorney's court calendar, and keeping file notations immaculate. Because our volume is intentionally low, you will have the time to do this work the right way. You will work directly and closely with the attorney on every active case.

35% - Client Engagement & Phone Intake
Serving as one of the first voices a new client hears. The people who call us are often frightened and overwhelmed. You will bring empathy, composure, and professionalism to every call - giving clients genuine confidence in the firm before they ever speak with the attorney. This is not a message-relay role: we need someone who can independently put a frightened client at ease and genuinely represent the firm's competence, even when the attorney is unavailable. You will also keep active clients informed with regular updates. For incarcerated clients, you will conduct video visits to maintain communication and ensure they feel supported throughout the process.

5% - Fieldwork & Court Support
Accompanying the attorney to court hearings and jail visits on occasion. This is work that matters and you will see that firsthand.

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS

• Experience: Minimum 4 years as a criminal defense paralegal. Arizona experience is required.
• Self-Direction: You manage your own workload with discipline and precision. You do not need reminders, you do not let deadlines slip, and you take pride in keeping the attorney's calendar and files in order without being asked.
• Initiative: You notice what needs doing and you do it. You flag problems rather than waiting for someone else to catch them. In a small firm, the ability to operate with ownership and judgment matters as much as technical skill.
• People Skills: You are genuinely comfortable being the voice of the firm. You can walk a frightened or frustrated client through a difficult moment with composure and confidence, not by reading from a script, but because you naturally project calm and competence. Empathy and discretion are a given; the ability to instill real confidence is what we are looking for.
• Workstyle: You take pride in doing thorough, accurate work and thrive in a focused environment where attention to detail is valued, but "calm" doesn't mean passive. We want someone who brings ownership to the role, not just steady task completion.
• Software: Familiarity with Clio, Gmail, Dropbox, and Maricopa County Superior Court filing systems is a plus.
• Bilingual: English and Spanish fluency is always a plus.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

$60,000 to $75,000 per year, commensurate with experience. Performance bonuses are also available.

• Paid time off
• Paid sick time
• Free parking

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit your resume through this posting. Along with your resume, please include two brief items:

• A note telling us why you are looking to make a change from your current firm.
• A brief example of a time you handled a difficult or anxious client on your own - what the situation was and how you approached it.

We read every application personally

Company Description We are a boutique criminal defense firm in Mesa with a highly specialized focus on felony sex crime defense. Unlike high-volume firms that measure success by how many cases they can cycle through, we intentionally limit our caseload. We focus on quality over volume and take genuine pride in truly knowing our clients and their cases. We are a small, collaborative team and we operate with a level of trust and mutual respect that is rare in this field. Company Description We are a boutique criminal defense firm in Mesa with a highly specialized focus on felony sex crime defense. Unlike high-volume firms that measure success by how many cases they can cycle through, we intentionally limit our caseload. We focus on quality over volume and take genuine pride in truly knowing our clients and their cases. We are a small, collaborative team and we operate with a level of trust and mutual respect that is rare in this field.