Paralegal at National Legal Aid & Defender Association

Position Description

The Tennessee Office of the Post-Conviction Defender (OPCD) is accepting applications for a Paralegal position. All levels of experience will be considered. Applications received by July 29, 2026, will receive priority consideration. The position will remain open until filled.

The OPCD is an independent agency of the Tennessee state government. The agency represents people on Tennessee’s death row in appealing their convictions and sentences in state court, as well as in seeking clemency from the Governor. The office also provides noncase-specific assistance and educational resources to trial counsel appointed in capital cases. The OPCD handles cases throughout Tennessee and some travel is required. The office and the position are in Nashville. Please see www.tnpcdo.net for further details about the agency. The paralegal will work on a team with attorneys and investigators to develop both guilt/innocence and sentencing claims on behalf of clients. The paralegal’s primary duties will include: 1) building and maintaining strong working relationships with clients, 2) maintaining an organized paper and digital case file, 3) locating, collecting, and processing records from various entities, as well as indexing records, 4) preparing and maintaining documents to track record collection attempts, deadlines, and other case-related tasks, 5) assisting attorneys with finalizing and filing pleadings, 6) performing factual research, 7) participating in limited field investigation, 8) handling administrative tasks related to working with experts, and 9) assisting with court hearings by preparing exhibits, assisting with subpoenaing witnesses, and helping manage witnesses in court.

Benefits And Compensation

• Salary ranging from $58,548 to $105,888, based on years of relevant experience and level of education
• No state income tax
• Health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, as well as pharmacy benefits
• 10 weeks of paid parental leave
• Generous annual, sick, and compensatory time accrual, in addition to other types of leave
• Retirement program recognized as one of the strongest pension funds in the country
• Partial tuition fee waivers at state institutions of higher learning for state employees and discounts on undergraduate tuition for children of state employees
• Flexible work hours, including some ability to work remotely
• In-house and national training opportunities

For more detailed information regarding the benefits of Tennessee state employees, please visit: https://www.tn.gov/hr/employees1/benefits.html.