Job Details for Legal Assistant
| Court Name/Organization | Texas Western Federal Public Defender |
| Overview of the Position | The Federal Public Defender for the Western District of Texas is accepting applications for the position of Legal Assistant, to be stationed in the Austin office. |
| Location | Austin, TX |
| Opening and Closing Dates | 06/25/2026 - Open Until Filled |
| Appointment Type | Permanent |
| Classification Level/Grade | JSP 6 - JSP 8 |
| Salary | $45,409 - $55,882 |
| Link to Court Careers Information | https://txw.fd.org/ |
| Announcement Number | 26-41 |
| Link to Job Announcement | |
Position Description
The Legal Assistant provides legal secretarial and clerical support services for one or more Assistant Federal Defenders. The duties of a Legal Assistant include:
- Manage attorney calendars, including court settings and filing deadlines
- Answer and route calls; handle general inquiries professionally
- Maintain organized, accurate case files and records
- Draft and review legal documents, briefs, and correspondence in Word; verify accuracy
- Perform conflict checks as required
- Provide office support: heavy word processing, filing, photocopying, and mail routing
- Deliver documents to the courthouse as needed
- Perform other duties as assigned
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
- High school diploma or equivalent
- 2+ years general experience and 1 year specialized (relevant coursework may substitute)
- Spanish fluency
- Sound judgment; apply policies; recommend practical solutions
- Proficient in Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat
- Proactive; works independently and collaborates effectively
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Thrives in a high‑volume, fast‑paced law office
- Preferred: Prior law office experience
- Employment contingent on a satisfactory background check (FBI name & fingerprints)
Employee Benefits
- Retirement benefits under the Federal Employees Retirement System
- Optional participation in Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB)
- Optional participation in Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP)
- Optional participation in Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance (FEGLI)
- Position is excepted service, without competitive civil service tenure
Application Info
- Cover letter and resume
- Three professional references with their contact information
- Form AO-78 – All sections of the AO-78 must be completed in full, with dates in the following format: mm/dd/yyyy
- Apply at Openings at Federal Public Defender, Western District of Texas. Attach your cover letter, resume, references and the AO-78 in one pdf. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
The federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.