Legal Assistant

The Federal Public Defender for the Western District of Pennsylvania is accepting
applications for the position of Legal Assistant.
The Legal Assistant will provide administrative support to attorneys, including mail
processing, client communications, and calendar management. In addition, the position
will support the office’s records management needs through the scanning, organizing,
and purging of closed case files.
This position requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to
handle confidential information with discretion. The Legal Assistant must be able to
manage competing priorities, work independently, and communicate professionally
with attorneys, staff, and external contacts.

Duties and Responsibilities of the Legal Assistant:
• Records Management:
o Scan and digitize closed case files in accordance with office records retention policies and procedures.
o Organize and label electronic files to ensure accurate retrieval and compliance.
o Review closed files for purging eligibility and prepare materials for secure destruction.
o Ensure sensitive and confidential materials are handled appropriately at all times.
• Administrative Support:
o Maintain attorneys’ calendars, setting appointments as needed.
o Receive, screen, and refer telephone calls.
o Scan and route incoming mail to appropriate destinations.
o Prepare outgoing client correspondence.
o Organize and maintain electronic client files and case histories.
o Deliver and retrieve documents from court as needed.
o Perform photocopying, scanning, shredding, and other case-related duties as assigned.
o Serves as receptionist as assigned.

Qualifications:
Applicants must be high school graduates or equivalent; with at least two years of general work experience. Education above the high school level may be substituted for experience requirements. Previous experience in a legal office or environment is preferred but not required.
Qualified candidates should possess:
• Excellent organization, communication, and administrative skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, file scanning software and hardware, and the ability to scan, digitize, and organize case files, with a willingness to learn as needed.
This position requires considerable initiative, resourcefulness, creativity and drive; excellent writing skills, computer proficiency, the ability to communicate and work well with others; and a commitment to obtaining justice for indigent persons.

Application Process:
Interested applicants are invited to apply by submitting a single pdf document that includes a resume and cover letter via email to the attention of: Elisa A. Long, Federal Public Defender, paw_employment@fd.org, Subject: 2026-02