Term Paralegal; Chapter​/Opt-In Special Litigation; Capital Habeas Unit

Job Details for Term Paralegal (Chapter 154/Opt-In Special Litigation) - Capital Habeas Unit - Telework

Court Name/Organization Tennessee Middle Federal Public Defender

Overview of the Position The successful candidate will serve as Opt-In Lead Paralegal, providing critical case management and litigation support across a dedicated docket affected by Chapter 154. Responsibilities will include statutory deadline tracking, discovery organization, and support for district court and appellate filings. This position will involve managing large volumes of historical state post-conviction records, organizing complex electronic databases, tracking expedited filing deadlines under 28 U.S.C. § 2263, and assisting attorneys and investigators with time-sensitive litigation.

• Manage case files, dockets, and electronic databases for Chapter 154 litigation across the unit, maintaining accurate and timely tracking of expedited statutory deadlines and tolling periods.
• Organize, index, digitize, and maintain extensive historical state post-conviction records, trial transcripts, and discovery materials.
• Format, cite-check, proofread, and file complex pleadings, emergency stay applications, and appellate briefs through CM/ECF in accordance with strict court deadlines
• Assist attorneys and investigators with witness-outreach logistics, subpoena preparation, exhibit preparation, and document requests.
• Coordinate litigation-support needs with multi-disciplinary defense teams, expert witnesses, and court personnel.

A high school diploma or equivalent is required. A bachelor’s degree or paralegal certificate from an accredited institution is preferred. Candidates must have significant specialized experience as a paralegal or legal assistant in complex criminal defense, litigation, or habeas corpus proceedings.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• Strong proficiency in litigation-support technology, electronic case filing (CM/ECF), and legal database management, including platforms such as Trial Director, Case Map, Eclipse, Relativity, or similar systems
• Expertise in legal research, citation checking (Bluebook and applicable judiciary standards), and preparation of routine procedural pleadings and exhibit indexes.
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to track complex statutory deadlines and manage voluminous state court records, transcripts, and other case materials.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment with demanding statutory deadlines.
• Proficiency in Windows, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and Outlook), and Adobe Acrobat Pro.

Benefits include health and life insurance, retirement benefits, and participation in the Thrift Savings Plan. For details on benefits, visit

Judiciary Benefits . Salary is payable by direct deposit.

The federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.