Criminal Defense Paralegal

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

Be the Force Behind Arizona’s Top Criminal Defense Team: You don’t just want a job—you want to be part of something that matters.

At DM Cantor, paralegals aren’t “support staff.” They are the engine that keeps our high-profile criminal defense team running. Every motion they draft, every discovery package they organize, and every interview they schedule contribute directly to wins in the courtroom. From DUIs to assaults, white-collar crimes and homicides, to headline-making cases involving professional athletes and public figures, their work shapes the outcomes that make history—and careers.

As a Criminal Defense Paralegal, you will juggle multiple management tasks, coordinate with attorneys, law enforcement, witnesses, and prosecutors, and keep our team sharp and prepared for every court appearance. You will witness firsthand how a well-prepared case can turn the impossible into a victory—and you’ll be proud knowing your contributions made it happen.

We want to read about you and why you want to join our firm. To be considered for an interview, you MUST:

1. Submit an up-to-date resume

2. Submit a cover letter.

3. Plus, once you initially apply, you will receive an email to complete a career history form, and a Prescreen Snapshot to fully fill out and submit.

At DM Cantor, we offer:

• Competitive Compensation and Benefits: Minimum base salary of $75,000 per year, or more, depending on experience.

Benefits include:

• Time off: 30 paid days off annually. 10 holidays, 15 vacation days, and 5 personal/sick days.

• Loyalty vacation program: Earn one additional day off each year (for 5 years), then an additional five days at year 10, another 5 days at year 15, and so on.

• Medical Insurance: DM Cantor covers 50% of the individual insurance in your first year and 100% after and covers 100% of your family’s insurance at year 7.

• Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance: Employees enjoy dental, vision, and life Insurance paid fully by DM Cantor.

• 401(k): DM Cantor generously matches up to 3.5% of employees’ compensation based on their 401(k) contributions.

• Breakfast is catered for the firm every Monday, Family-style lunches are catered bi-weekly, and quarterly happy hours, firm outings, and other gatherings occur throughout the year. Families and children’s attendance are always encouraged at DM Cantor. We care about our colleagues and their families. In recent years, our staff has enjoyed various in-suite Suns basketball games, Diamondbacks tickets, happy hours at exclusive members’ clubs, and banquets at The Biltmore, Camelback Inn, and The Phoenician. We understand that hard work deserves great rewards.

• Our Attorneys and Paralegals work full-time, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., enjoying panoramic views of the Phoenix skyline from our penthouse suite and multiple floors in the prestigious Two Renaissance Tower Downtown. Employees also enjoy endless snacks, drinks, employee lounges, and excellent restaurants in the building and within walking distance.

• Mentorship: DM Cantor invests in mentorship and strategy sessions to make you a better paralegal, not a busier one. Our firm has an internal mentorship program to ensure progress and partnership flourish daily. In addition, our paralegals meet monthly to strategize and discuss cases and recent developments in the law.

• A Team Worth Joining: DM Cantor was just announced as the Small and Mid-Sized Law Firm of the Year at the 2026 Excellence in Law Awards attended by 550 people, and is ranked #2 Best Places to Work in Law by AZ Business Magazine 2026, and is ranked #2 in Ranking Arizona’s 2026 Top Law Firm in Arizona list (26 Lawyers or less) for all of Arizona! We are an AV-rated Estate and Probate Law firm listed in Martindale-Hubbell’s Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers. You’ll learn and collaborate with the best; no more waiting for the partner who rolls into the office at noon and hasn’t opened a rule book since ’98.

What We’re Looking For:

• Minimum 2 years of private criminal law paralegal experienc e

• Excellent communication, organization, and multitasking skills

• Strong drafting experience, including pleadings, motions, and court filings with proper exhibits/attachments

• Familiarity with Arizona Superior Court filing procedures

• Professional and confident communication with clients, law enforcement, and opposing counsel

• Highly proactive, detail-oriented, and able to work with a strong sense of urgency

• Ability to independently manage a small caseload while also leading and supporting a team of paralegals and administrative staff

• Strong writing, grammar, and file management skills

What to Expect: We don’t just hire; we Topgrade. We use a Topgrading approach to make sure we hire only top performers. Step by step, we: define what success looks like in the role, review your full career history and achievements, evaluate your skills and fit with our culture, check references with past colleagues, and make sure this role is the perfect match for your talents — all to guarantee you are joining a team of other high achievers.

Creative intelligence and a strong work ethic are required. Only “A players” and those with a winning mindset need apply. If you’re tired of firms where “culture” means rarely being in the office to collaborate with colleagues, and you’re ready to do meaningful work with people who take the law and life seriously, then it’s time for us to meet.

Your future starts here. Learn more at and apply today!