A Commitment To Excellence

A Passion For Justice

Staff

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

Position: Legal Assistant                                                                         Location: San Diego, CA

Application Deadline: April 3, 2026                                                          Posted: March 19, 2026

Office Website: www.fdsdi.com                                Salary Range: 6/1 $51,871 to 8/10 $82,983

Federal Defenders of San Diego, Inc. (FDSDI) is seeking a full-time Legal Assistant to join our defense team in the San Diego office. FDSDI is the Community Defender Organization for the Southern District of California, serving San Diego and Imperial Counties, and operates under the authority of 18 U.S.C. § 3006A(g)(2)(B) to provide federal criminal defense services by court appointment to individuals who are unable to afford counsel.

The Legal Assistant plays an important support role within the office, providing front-desk coverage and administrative assistance while also supporting attorneys and staff with clerical and case-related tasks. This position is well-suited for someone who is organized, dependable, and comfortable balancing reception duties with behind-the-scenes support in a fast-paced legal environment. Professionalism, discretion, and a client-centered approach are essential.

This full-time position is scheduled Monday through Friday; work hours may vary between 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM based on operational needs, with a one-hour lunch break.

 

Duties and Responsibilities:

Under the supervision of the Administrative Officer, the Legal Assistant will:

  • Serve as a point of contact for clients, family members, and visitors by managing incoming calls on a busy multi-line phone system and greeting visitors as needed.
  • Respond to general inquiries, assess urgency, and route communications appropriately.
  • Screen collect calls from incarcerated individuals and handle public inquiries with professionalism and courtesy.
  • Monitor, manage, and route correspondence from the FDSDI general inbox to the appropriate units or attorneys.
  • Update and maintain the FDSDI court calendar to ensure accuracy and timely communication of court dates and deadlines.
  • Maintain strict confidentiality and exercise discretion, including adherence to attorney-client privilege.
  • Provide friendly, reliable administrative and clerical support to the office, including word processing, scanning, mail distribution, outgoing correspondence, and general assistance to support daily operations.
  • Assist with organizing and maintaining case files as assigned.
  • Operate standard office equipment, including phones, printers, scanners, and fax machines.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

 

Qualifications:

  • Bilingual fluency in English and Spanish is required.
  • High school diploma or equivalent.
  • At least two years of experience in a front-desk, administrative, or customer-facing role.
  • Strong communication skills and the ability to professionally manage a high volume of calls.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office and standard office equipment.
  • Strong organizational, multitasking, and time-management skills.
  • Ability to interact with clients and the public in a respectful, professional, and client-centered approach.

 

Preferred Qualifications:

  • At least one year of experience in a legal or professional office environment.

 

Salary and Benefits:

Salary will be commensurate with experience. The starting salary range is: JSP 6/1 ($51,871) to JSP 8/10 ($82,983). The position does include employee benefits including health and life insurance as well as a 401k plan. Salary is payable only by Electronic Funds Transfer (direct deposit).  This position is at will and is subject to the availability of funds. Employment is subject to a satisfactory background investigation. This position offers one day of telework per month. Full-time telework is not available.

 

Accessibility:

We are committed to an inclusive and accessible application process. If you need an accommodation due to a disability during any stage of the application or interview process, please contact our Personnel Administrator at Kym_Bryant@fd.org. If hired, we are dedicated to providing reasonable accommodations to support your success and ensure equal access to opportunities in the workplace.

 

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion:

Our office values diversity, is committed to equity and inclusion, and aspires to create a culture of mutual respect, collaboration, openness, and humility that honors the people we represent. We believe representation is better when members of the defense team have diverse backgrounds and experiences. In our hiring, we seek individuals who share this belief and commitment. We embrace the unique contributions our employees can bring to the office because of their backgrounds, social identities, and lived experiences.

How to Apply:

Interested applicants are invited to apply by submitting a single pdf document that includes a cover letter, resume, and three references via email to the attention of:

Margarita Gonzales, Administrative Officer

hiring@fdsdi.com

Subject: Legal Assistant Position – San Diego

 

Hiring Timeline:

We value transparency in our hiring process and want applicants to know what to expect. Below are the key dates:

  • Application Deadline: April 3, 2026
  • Interviews: Conducted on a rolling basis
  • Anticipated Start Date: No later than May 18, 2026

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

Position: Litigation Support Paralegal                                                     Location: San Diego, CA

Application Deadline: June 5, 2026                                                            Posted: May 22, 2026

Office Website: www.fdsdi.com                          Salary Range: 11/1 $85,307 to 14/10 $186,785

 

Federal Defenders of San Diego, Inc. (FDSDI) is seeking a full-time Litigation Support Paralegal to join our Informational Technology team in the San Diego office. FDSDI is the Community Defender Organization for the Southern District of California, serving San Diego and Imperial Counties, and operates under the authority of 18 U.S.C. § 3006A(g)(2)(B) to provide federal criminal defense services by court appointment to individuals who are unable to afford counsel.

 

The Litigation Support Paralegal plays a critical role in supporting attorneys, paralegals, and investigators in the management, analysis, and presentation of electronic discovery and other case materials. This position is responsible for processing and organizing large volumes of digital evidence, developing litigation databases, preparing trial exhibits and demonstratives, and providing in-court technology support and consultation during hearings and trials. The ideal candidate is highly organized, technically skilled, and enjoys working collaboratively in a fast-paced legal environment.

 

This is a full-time, in-person position based in our San Diego office.

 

Duties and Responsibilities:

Under the supervision of the Supervisory Computer Systems Administrator, the Litigation Support Paralegal will:

  • Provide specialized litigation support services to attorneys and legal staff in all phases of case preparation, discovery management, and trial.
  • Process, organize, index, and format electronic discovery and other case materials to support case analysis and trial preparation.
  • Create and maintain document databases, indexes, transcripts, and images using litigation support applications.
  • Administer databases, process electronic files, perform optical character recognition (OCR), and convert files into various formats.
  • Digitize and edit audio and video files for use in case preparation and courtroom presentations.
  • Assist attorneys, paralegals, and investigators with the production of discovery to clients, experts, and other authorized recipients.
  • Develop graphic exhibits, demonstratives, timelines, and other visual presentations using software such as Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat, and related applications.
  • Prepare exhibit images for courtroom presentation, including highlighting, enlarging, and comparing documents.
  • Synchronize audio and video clips with written transcripts.
  • Collaborate with trial teams to develop effective strategies for presenting evidence using courtroom presentation systems.
  • Provide in-court technology support during hearings and trials and ensure the smooth operation of presentation equipment and software.
  • Advise attorneys on the most effective use of exhibits and presentation tools.
  • Use forensic tools (e.g., Cellebrite, Axiom, FTK) to review analyze and/or extract data from forensically captured digital devices.
  • Train attorneys and staff on litigation support software and best practices.
  • Maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment when handling sensitive and privileged information.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

 

Qualifications:

  • High school diploma or equivalent required.
  • Minimum of three years of general experience and two years of specialized experience in litigation support, information technology, paralegal work, or a closely related field.
  • Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat Pro, Windows file systems, and a variety of file formats.
  • Experience processing and organizing electronic discovery, including audio, video, and large document collections.
  • Strong technical, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
  • Excellent organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.
  • Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.

 

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in computer technology, information management, criminal justice, paralegal studies, or a related field.
  • Experience with litigation support and e-discovery tools such as Adobe Acrobat Pro, CaseMap, TrialDirector, dtSearch, IPRO Eclipse, Cellebrite, UFED4PC, Physical Analyzer, and similar applications.
  • Experience providing courtroom technology support during hearings and trials.
  • Spanish language skills (speaking, reading, and writing) are preferred.
  • Experience using or researching AI tools in a legal or professional environment.

 

Salary and Benefits:

Salary will be commensurate with experience. The starting salary range is: JSP 11/1 ($85,307) to JSP 14/10 ($186,785). The position does include employee benefits including health and life insurance as well as a 401k plan. Salary is payable only by Electronic Funds Transfer (direct deposit).  This position is at will and is subject to the availability of funds. Employment is subject to a satisfactory background investigation. This position offers one day of telework per month. Full-time telework is not available.

Accessibility:

We are committed to an inclusive and accessible application process. If you need an accommodation due to a disability during any stage of the application or interview process, please contact our Personnel Administrator at Kym_Bryant@fd.org. If hired, we are dedicated to providing reasonable accommodations to support your success and ensure equal access to opportunities in the workplace.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion:

Our office values diversity, is committed to equity and inclusion, and aspires to create a culture of mutual respect, collaboration, openness, and humility that honors the people we represent. We believe representation is better when members of the defense team have diverse backgrounds and experiences. In our hiring, we seek individuals who share this belief and commitment. We embrace the unique contributions our employees can bring to the office because of their backgrounds, social identities, and lived experiences.

How to Apply:

Interested applicants are invited to apply by submitting a single pdf document that includes a cover letter, resume, and three references via email to the attention of:

 

Sammy Lopez, Supervisory Computer Systems Administrator

hiring@fdsdi.com

Subject: Litigation Support Paralegal Position – San Diego

 

Hiring Timeline:

We value transparency in our hiring process and want applicants to know what to expect. Below are the key dates:

  • Application Deadline: June 5, 2026 (priority consideration given to applications received by this date; applications will remain open until filled)
  • Interviews: Conducted on a rolling basis
  • Anticipated Start Date: On or around July 1, 2026 (tentative)

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

Position: Assistant Computer Systems Administrator                                                Location: San Diego, CA

Application Deadline: June 5, 2026                                                                                Posted: May 22, 2026

Office Website: www.fdsdi.com                                                Salary Range: 9/1 $70,507 to 12/10 $132,923

 

Federal Defenders of San Diego, Inc. (FDSDI) is seeking a full-time Assistant Computer Systems Administrator to join our Informational Technology team in the San Diego office. FDSDI is the Community Defender Organization for the Southern District of California, serving San Diego and Imperial Counties, and operates under the authority of 18 U.S.C. § 3006A(g)(2)(B) to provide federal criminal defense services by court appointment to individuals who are unable to afford counsel.

 

The Assistant Computer Systems Administrator plays an important role in supporting the office’s technology needs by providing technical assistance to attorneys and staff, helping maintain desktop and network systems, and delivering litigation support services for criminal cases. The ideal candidate is organized, technically skilled, and enjoys solving problems in a fast-paced legal environment, making this role well suited for a motivated individual who takes initiative and works effectively with appropriate supervision. The position also offers opportunities to strengthen technical skills and assume greater responsibility over time as part of a collaborative IT team. This is a full time, in person position based in our San Diego office.

 

Duties and Responsibilities:

Under the supervision of the Supervisory Computer Systems Administrator and Computer Systems Administrator, the Assistant Computer Systems Administrator will:

  • Provide technical support and training to end users on desktop computers, laptops, mobile devices, and related technology.
  • Install, configure, maintain, and troubleshoot hardware, software, printers, scanners, and other office equipment.
  • Assist with desktop and laptop imaging, deployment, upgrades, and inventory tracking.
  • Administer endpoint management, mobile device management and VoIP systems.
  • Support Microsoft 365 applications, Adobe Acrobat, and other standard office software.
  • Assist users with conference room equipment setup and connectivity.
  • Provide litigation support services when needed, including media conversion, courtroom technology setup, and support for software and peripheral equipment.
  • Process, organize, index, and format electronic discovery to support case preparation and trial.
  • Create and maintain document databases, indexes, transcripts, and images using litigation support applications such as Trial Director, CaseMap, Cellebrite, Magnet AXIOM, and related tools.
  • Administer databases, perform optical character recognition (OCR), and convert electronic files into various formats.
  • Assist attorneys, paralegals, and investigators with the production of discovery to clients, experts, and other authorized recipients.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

 

Qualifications:

  • High school diploma or equivalent required.
  • Minimum of three years of general experience and two years of specialized experience in information technology, systems administration, or a closely related field.
  • Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Windows environments, desktop and laptop support, and standard office applications.
  • Experience troubleshooting hardware, software, printers, scanners, and mobile devices.
  • Awareness of emerging AI technologies and a willingness to learn and apply AI‑assisted tools in a secure and compliant manner.
  • Ability to communicate technical information clearly and provide effective training and support to end users.
  • Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.
  • Ability to lift and move up to 50 pounds on an occasional basis.
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently and remain productive with minimal supervision.
  • Strong motivation to learn new technologies and expand technical skills.
  • Proven reliability, professionalism, and a proactive approach to problem solving.

 

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience supporting technology in a law office or other professional services environment.
  • Experience with litigation support and eDiscovery tools, including Trial Director, Magnet AXIOM, Cellebrite, Eclipse, Everlaw and CaseMap.
  • Familiarity with wide area networks and integrated Microsoft Windows environments.
  • Experience working in an enterprise or large scale IT environment, including exposure to structured processes, security standards, or multi-site system administration.
  • Familiarity with modern AI assisted tools for research, document handling, or workflow automation.
  • Interest in contributing to team improvements, taking on increased responsibility, or developing leadership skills over time.
  • Seasoned professional who can provide help desk and systems support, with the capacity to take on increased responsibilities for managing critical systems and ensuring operational continuity.

 

Salary and Benefits:

Salary will be commensurate with experience. The starting salary range is: JSP 9/1 ($70,507) to JSP 12/10 ($132,923). The position does include employee benefits including health and life insurance as well as a 401k plan. Salary is payable only by Electronic Funds Transfer (direct deposit).  This position is at will and is subject to the availability of funds. Employment is subject to a satisfactory background investigation. This position offers one day of telework per month. Full-time telework is not available.

 

 

Accessibility:

We are committed to an inclusive and accessible application process. If you need an accommodation due to a disability during any stage of the application or interview process, please contact our Personnel Administrator at Kym_Bryant@fd.org. If hired, we are dedicated to providing reasonable accommodations to support your success and ensure equal access to opportunities in the workplace.

 

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion:

Our office values diversity, is committed to equity and inclusion, and aspires to create a culture of mutual respect, collaboration, openness, and humility that honors the people we represent. We believe representation is better when members of the defense team have diverse backgrounds and experiences. In our hiring, we seek individuals who share this belief and commitment. We embrace the unique contributions our employees can bring to the office because of their backgrounds, social identities, and lived experiences.

How to Apply:

Interested applicants are invited to apply by submitting a single pdf document that includes a cover letter, resume, and three references via email to the attention of:

 

Sammy Lopez, Supervisory Computer Systems Administrator

hiring@fdsdi.com

Subject: ACSA Position – San Diego

 

Hiring Timeline:

We value transparency in our hiring process and want applicants to know what to expect. Below are the key dates:

  • Application Deadline: June 5, 2026 (priority consideration given to applications received by this date; applications will be accepted until the position is filled)
  • Interviews: Conducted on a rolling basis
  • Anticipated Start Date: No later than July 15, 2026

WE ARE AN

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER