Senior Paralegal - HCRC

The Habeas Corpus Resource Center (HCRC), a San Francisco-based entity in the judicial branch of California’s state government, has an exciting opportunity for a Senior Paralegal. The HCRC represents clients on California’s death row in post-conviction legal proceedings (called habeas corpus proceedings) in which we investigate and review the constitutionality of our clients’ capital convictions and sentences and file and litigate petitions alleging the ways in which our clients’ constitutional rights were violated during their criminal trials. The HCRC also serves as a resource and provides training to private court-appointed counsel in capital post-conviction proceedings. Additional information about the HCRC can be found on our website at www.hcrc.ca.gov .

Under direction, independently provides paralegal and legal analytical support to attorneys in complex areas of law; performs lead and/or specialist paralegal duties and performs other related duties as assigned. Senior Paralegal is the lead and/or specialist level class in the Paralegal series. Senior Paralegals regularly and independently performing the full range of the most responsible, varied, and complex paralegal duties.

In general, HCRC paralegals work closely on case teams with investigators and attorneys to assist those teams in identifying legal issues and developing strategies and proposals for obtaining documents and other factual support for legal claims; performing litigation related research in computerized and physical files and document collections; locating, assembling, summarizing, analyzing and coding documentary evidence such as court, social, medical, and legal records; maintaining case files and database information and scanning original documents into a computerized document management database; generating indices and reports of case-related documents; preparing for evidentiary hearings; gathering and tracking litigation information; maintaining the integrity of legally relevant documents; and identifying, contacting, and providing information to expert witnesses.

Travel is required for this position both within California and out-of-state.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Possession of a valid California driver’s license.
• Equivalent to three years of paralegal experience involving complex litigation preferably including some experience with capital cases.
• A paralegal certificate, J.D. Degree, or directly related college-level education may be substituted for six months of the required experience.

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge of:

• Complex legal concepts, terminology, principles and procedures.
• Use of legal reference materials.
• State and federal court practices and procedures.
• Administrative office practices and procedures, the standard format for typed materials including proper memoranda, briefs, drafts, opinions, recordkeeping systems and file maintenance, and standard office procedures and practices.
• The operation of personal computers and the use of specified computer applications, such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.
• Basic medical terminology.

Ability to:

• Plan, organize, supervise, review and evaluate the work of others.
• Organize, prioritize, and coordinate work activities and meet critical deadlines.
• Prepare summaries of legal, social, and medical material.
• Handle, organize, and assimilate large quantities of complex and detailed information.
• Review materials to identify critical and sensitive data and issues, and index legal, social, and medical records.
• Adjust to workload changes to meet deadlines.
• Use initiative and judgment within general policy guidelines.
• Operate personal computers and use specified computer applications, such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.
• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Use tact and discretion in dealing with those contacted in the course of the work.

DESIRABLE SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
Familiarity and interest in mental health issues; experience in criminal defense-related work; familiarity with principles of culturally competent representation; fluency in oral and written Spanish; and proficiency in Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Excel; Adobe; and CaseMap.

Applicants must complete and submit a specific application form and responses to a supplemental questionnaire , which are available at http://www.hcrc.ca.gov/hiring.html .

Please submit the following documents to JobApplications@hcrc.ca.gov (if you are able, please combine the documents, in the following order, into one PDF with the title “< Your Last Name > 0925SP”; if you are unable combine the documents into one PDF, please title each document as follows):

(1) a cover letter (optional), with the title “Cover Letter < Your Last Name > 0925SP”;
(2) the official application, with the title “Application < Your Last Name > 0925SP”;
(3) your resumé, with the title “Resumé < Your Last Name > 0925SP”; and
(4) answers to the supplemental questions, with the title “Supp. Questions < Your Last Name > 0925SP.”

Resumes submitted without the required materials will not be considered. Please do not submit transcripts, writing samples, references, or any other additional materials. If you are selected for an interview, you may be asked to submit such materials at that time.

Priority consideration will be given to those applications received by October 6, 2025 . Applications submitted after that date will be reviewed if positions remain unfilled by applicants in the priority consideration group.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:

HCRC is an equal opportunity employer. HCRC believes that a diverse workforce and inclusive workplace culture enhances the performance of our organization and the quality of representation that we provide to a diverse client base. HCRC welcomes all applicants, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.

The HCRC uses a lengthy recruitment process. We review every complete application in its entirety. Candidates whose qualifications best meet the needs of the HCRC will be contacted to participate in the interview process. The individuals selected to fill the position(s) will be appointed at a level commensurate with their qualifications. All applicants will be notified by e-mail when the recruitment has been closed, if not sooner.

Please Note: If you are selected for hire, the Judicial Council of California will require verification of employment eligibility or authorization to legally work in the United States.

Please complete and submit this supplemental questionnaire along with your application. It is intended to provide us with more detailed information about your work experience, background, and skills, to allow us to better assess your qualifications.

Thank you for your interest in working with us!

Some highlights of our benefits package include:

• Health/Dental/Vision benefits program
• 14 paid State holidays per calendar year
• Choice of Annual Leave or Sick/Vacation Leave
• 1 personal holiday per year
• Up to $130 per month reimbursement for qualifying commuting costs
• CalPERS Retirement Plan
• 401(K) and 457 deferred compensation plans
• Employee Assistance Program
• Basic Life and AD&D Insurance
• FlexElect Program
• Long Term Care Program (employee paid/optional)
• Group Legal Plan (employee paid/optional)
• HCRC employees are permitted to work remotely two days a week.

Monthly Salary Range (as of July 31, 2025): $6682 - $8122

The Habeas Corpus Resource Center is an equal opportunity employer. HCRC believes that a diverse workforce and inclusive workplace culture enhances the performance of our organization and the quality of representation that we provide to a diverse client base. HCRC welcomes all applicants, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, or military and veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.