PARALEGAL SERIES

The Office of the Public Defender is a statewide independent agency charged with providing superior legal representation to indigent defendants. The agency’s vision is Justice, Fairness and Dignity for All. Employees are committed to the core values of culture of excellence, client centered representation, tenacious advocacy, and are united in achieving the agency’s mission.

The Maryland Office of the Public Defender (MOPD) is seeking a Paralegal to serve as an essential team member in MOPD’s Decarceration Initiative. This position is funded through a grant dedicated to supporting access to counsel for individuals serving long-term sentences who are eligible for sentence reconsideration under the Juvenile Restoration Act or the Second Look Act.

Note: This is an 18-month grant-funded contractual position.

The Paralegal I/II will serve as an essential team member by coordinating individual client eligibility determinations, tracking referrals, and facilitating attorney assignments. In addition to assisting in organizing training programs and technical support activities for panel attorneys, pro bono lawyers, and staff, the position supports litigation by performing legal research, reviewing case files, drafting pleadings, and gathering client mitigation materials. The role also requires collecting, logging, and analyzing program activity and impact data to ensure grant monitoring and reporting compliance, while maintaining regular, client-centered communication with incarcerated individuals, families, correctional facilities, and partner organizations.

All applicants must be able to communicate effectively with clients and visitors and possess the ability to complete tasks in a fast-paced work environment. Applicants must be able to work in various positions. MOPD is further committed to providing equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs and activities by modifying or adjusting the job application process or the job or work environment to make reasonable accommodations to the known applicant or employee to enable the applicant or employee be considered for the position they desire; to perform the essential functions of the position in question; or to enjoy equal benefits and privileges of employment as are enjoyed by other similarly situated employees without disabilities, unless the accommodation imposes an undue hardship.    Applicants must be able to operate a personal computer and other office equipment. Applicants must have access to transportation for statewide travel. If a reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact Tawanda Jackson, Human Resources Supervisor, 410-767-8503  tawandal.jackson@maryland.gov.

ASTD 12

217 E. Redwood St, Baltimore, MD 21202

The primary purpose of the Paralegal I/II is to provide high-level, client-centered paralegal and administrative support to the Decarceration Initiative team within the Maryland Office of the Public Defender (MOPD). Funded by an 18-month grant, this role is critical in driving systemic decarceration efforts by expanding access to legal counsel for individuals serving long-term prison sentences who are eligible for sentence reconsideration under the Juvenile Restoration Act and the Second Look Act. The Decarceration Initiative Paralegal serves as a key operational hub for the initiative managing case flow from intake to assignment, supporting complex post-conviction litigation, collecting essential program data for grant accountability, and maintaining empathetic, trauma-informed communication with incarcerated clients and key stakeholders.

Duties & Responsibilities

 

Case Coordination & Intake Management

• Evaluate, process, and track incoming referrals and inquiries to establish client eligibility under Juvenile Restoration Act and Second Look Act statutory guidelines.
• Manage client case files, facilitate conflict checks, and coordinate timely attorney assignments across staff attorneys, panel attorneys, and pro bono partners.
• Maintain and update internal databases to ensure accurate tracking of case milestones and client outcomes.

Litigation & Research Support

• Assist staff attorneys in conducting complex legal research, state statute analyses, and case law reviews relevant to sentence modification and post-conviction relief.
• Review, organize, and summarize voluminous case files, trial transcripts, institutional records, and medical or psychological reports.
• Draft pleadings, motions, subpoenas, affidavits, and legal correspondence for attorney review.
• Gather, organize, and synthesize client mitigation materials, social histories, and re-entry plans to support persuasive sentence reconsideration filings.

Training, Technical Assistance & Program Operations

• Assist in developing and organizing training sessions, legal manuals, and resource kits for panel and pro bono attorneys handling Juvenile Restoration Act and Second Look Act matters.
• Provide ongoing technical support and resource distribution to participating attorneys and litigation teams.
• Log, monitor, and analyze program activity metrics, performance indicators, and outcome data to fulfill grant tracking and reporting obligations. 

Client Outreach & Stakeholder Engagement

• Maintain regular, client-centered communication with incarcerated individuals, serving as a responsive point of contact regarding their case status.
• Liaise with clients’ families, community-based support organizations, correctional facility personnel, and partner legal services organizations.
• Coordinate logistics for client interviews, virtual legal visits, and multi-disciplinary team strategy meetings.

Education: Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.

Experience: Two (Paralegal I) or Three (Paralegal II) years of experience as a legal assistant or legal secretary performing legal research or preparing legal documents on behalf of an attorney.

Notes: 1. Thirty credit hours or a certificate in paralegal studies from an accredited college or university may be substituted for the required experience.

 2. Thirty credit hours from an accredited law school may be substituted for the required experience.

 3. Additional years of experience as stated above may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the required education.

4. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a non-commissioned officer in paralegal specialist classifications or paralegal specialist specialty codes in the legal and kindred field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.

Desired Qualifications & Skills

• Software & Data Management: Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word) and Google Workspace, with hands-on experience in data entry, spreadsheet management, and legal case management systems.
• Legal Knowledge & Research: Practical knowledge of criminal law terminology and court procedures, along with experience conducting legal research using Westlaw or similar legal databases.
• Digital Evidence Handling: Experienced in processing, organizing, and reviewing digital video files, body-worn camera footage, and media evidence.
• Communication Skills: Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to correspond professionally with attorneys, court staff, clients, and family members.
• Organization & Task Management: Highly organized and detail-oriented, with proven critical thinking and problem-solving skills to manage multiple priorities and consistently meet strict deadlines.
• Client Advocacy & Mission Focus: A strong commitment to public defense and social justice, with a dedicated interest in working directly with incarcerated individuals to support decarceration efforts.

Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland.

In-state travel required.

Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment.  All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. We will not consider information submitted after this date. Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the employment (eligible) list for at least one year.

The examination will consist of a rating of your education, training and experience related to the requirements of the position. You may be required to complete a qualifications supplement, or the rating may be based on your application. Therefore, it is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Report all experience and education that is related to this position. Applicants selected for interview will be required to complete a writing sample onsite during the interview process.

Online applications preferred.  Please fax all paper applications and questionnaires to (410) 333-2260.

Inquiries regarding applications and submitting paper applications can be directed to: Office of the Public Defender, Human Resources Division, 6 Saint Paul Street, Suite 1304, Baltimore, MD 21202; or by calling (410) 767-8500, toll free: 877-430-5187; TTY users call Maryland Relay Service 800-735-2258. 

Please be sure to include your name, identification number (Easy ID#) and job announcement number on any documentation to ensure timely processing. A paper copy of the MD State application form and questionnaire can be downloaded from the link below.

As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity. People with disabilities and bilingual