The Office of the Alternate Defense Counsel (OADC) seeks a dedicated, skilled
legal professional to join our new Postconviction Unit (PCU). The PCU Paralegal
will play a vital role on our PCU defense team, providing support to five attorneys
and collaborating with several other interdisciplinary team members. This is an
exciting opportunity to join a new unit and improve indigent postconviction
representation. If you are a highly motivated and detail-oriented individual with
a passion for holistic criminal defense, we encourage you to apply.
ABOUT OADC:
The OADC is the state agency responsible for providing legal representation for
indigent adults and youth charged with criminal or delinquent acts, where the
Office of the State Public Defender (OSPD) has a conflict of interest. Traditionally,
the OADC has accomplished this by contracting with over 400 private attorneys
and another 500 legal service providers (forensic social workers/clinical advocates,
paralegals, investigators, legal researchers, case assistants, etc.) to provide client
services on an hourly basis. The PCU is a new in-house endeavor. Our
fundamental belief is that good holistic legal defense teams produce good results
for our clients.
MISSION STATEMENT:
The OADC’s mission is to help adults and children charged with criminal and
delinquent offenses through the practice of holistic public defense. The OADC’s
holistic practice model fosters ethical, informed, and standard-driven best
practices in public defense. The OADC allocates resources in a manner
intentionally designed to rebalance the disparate power wielded by the
government in the criminal legal system. The OADC advocates for every client’s
inherent worth and dignity by centering the client’s lived experiences and voice to
achieve the best legal outcome.
The OADC is dedicated to zealous, client-centered advocacy rooted in social
justice, integrity, and humility. We recognize that we are working within a broken
and racist criminal legal system. Public defense advocates play an essential role in
challenging bias and disparity within the courtroom, within our offices, and
within ourselves. Statistical data and experiences support that there is a disparate
presence of violent policing, over-charging, and harsher sentencing outcomes for
Colorado’s people of color and other vulnerable populations. The OADC is
unwavering in its support of decarceration, the decriminalization of youth, and
equity within the criminal legal system.
Our EDI Vision:
accelerate Equity, advance Diversity, amplify Inclusion – together
#SeeStriveTransformTogether
The OADC believes that transforming EDI work at this core level takes courage
and intention. The work has progressed from the inside out - beginning first with
building a team united in its understanding of and deep commitment to EDI and
working to actualize this commitment through efforts to shape and refine our
culture, spaces, and practices.
ABOUT THE JOB:
The new OADC Postconviction Unit will provide direct representation to indigent
criminal clients pursuing claims under Crim. P. Rule 35(c) and 35(a), where the
OSPD has declared a conflict of interest. The PCU will operate independently
within the agency structure. Once it is fully staffed, the PCU will consist of the
Director, the PCU Coordinator, four Staff Attorneys, one PCU Paralegal, two
Investigators, and one Licensed Social Worker.
The PCU Paralegal will be responsible for supporting the legal team in a variety
of ways, including but not limited to:
• Obtaining and organizing relevant case records and documents, including
copies of the court file, transcripts, appellate documents, attorney files,
discovery, Department of Corrections records, and any other relevant
electronic or paper information.
• Creating spreadsheets, word tables, or other organizational platforms to
maintain, share, and summarize case records and information.
• Reviewing discovery or other legal records with the client.
• Collaborating with other team members to identify and gather evidence,
investigative materials, and other relevant information.
• Researching legal issues, including reviewing statutes, rules, case law, and
legal articles.
• Drafting a range of different motions, pleadings, and legal memoranda with
attorney guidance.
• Proofreading, editing, redacting, and filing documents and pleadings.
• Assisting with hearing preparation and courtroom support, including
compiling hearing materials and/or trial notebooks with digital bookmarks
and indexes, coordinating witness testimony, tracking exhibits, client
communication, note-taking and providing technical assistance with
audio/visual platforms for evidence and electronic/video presentations.
• Drafting and responding to correspondence from clients, family members,
and other parties to exchange pertinent information.
We are committed to fostering a culture of inclusion and an environment of
representation diversity, and encourage individuals of many identities,
backgrounds, and experiences to apply.
Our ideal candidate will be self-motivated, team-oriented, and possess strong
attention to detail and organizational skills. The PCU Paralegal will work closely
with the entire interdisciplinary team to provide the best legal defense for our
clients.
There is a preference for individuals who have:
• Self-directed organizational and time-management skills with the ability to
multi-task and meet short deadlines.
• Familiarity with the criminal legal system and the practice of criminal
defense.
• Empathy for the needs and histories of people with criminal records.
• Culturally responsive practices while serving marginalized or
underrepresented populations and communities.
• Understanding of the client-attorney privilege and confidentiality.
• High level of initiative, enthusiasm, and motivation.
• Knowledge of Colorado criminal legal terminology, rules, and statutes.
• Ability and desire to work collaboratively within a team and independently.
• Experience conducting legal research with Westlaw or other legal research
databases.
• Experience using the Colorado Courts e-filing (CCEF) system and the
Colorado Criminal e-discovery (CDAC) system.
• Experience using office software systems such as Microsoft Office, Adobe
Acrobat, and audio/visual software and equipment, as well as the ability to
learn new programs.
• Strong verbal and written communication.
• Proficiency in Spanish that enhances our ability to provide comprehensive
legal services.
It is also helpful, but not necessary, to possess one of the following qualifications:
• A paralegal or legal assistant certification.
• Graduation from a paralegal program and relevant work experience.
• A bachelor's degree plus two years of paralegal work experience.
• At least two years of law-related work experience under the supervision of
an attorney.
This job description is intended to convey the scope of the position but is not an
exhaustive list of responsibilities or requirements. This is a new position.
Responsibilities will likely evolve over time to meet the changing needs of the unit
and organization.
The OADC is a collaborative agency designed for people who thrive in a team
environment. This position reports to the Postconviction Unit Director and will
engage with other OADC team members.
If you are offered employment, the following are the conditions of employment:
• Be a current resident of the State of Colorado or become a resident of
the State of Colorado within 30 days of the hire date;
• Be willing to submit to a routine background investigation, including a
criminal history check; and
• If hired, the Immigration Reform and Control Act requires you to
provide proof of your eligibility to work in the United States within
three workdays.
In the online application, you must provide a resume, cover letter, and answer
several questions. You may also upload two letters of recommendation. Please
complete the online application at the link below by 11:59 pm on Monday,
February 5, 2024.
https://fs2.formsite.com/OADC/nd3fixmbri/index
Once you submit your application, you will receive an automatic email from
Formsite. Please add [email protected] as a safe sender. If you cannot find
this email, please look in your spam/junk folder. Late or incomplete applications
will not be considered. Faxed, mailed, or emailed applications will not be accepted.
Please direct any additional inquiries or questions to
[email protected].