Joseph Poelstra

I am a Colorado-based paralegal and commissioned notary with extensive experience supporting criminal and civil matters across County and District Courts. My background spans independent paralegal work, district attorney offices, and high-volume, high-complexity legal environments, where precision, discretion, and procedural accuracy are non-negotiable.

In my current role as an independent paralegal and notary, I assist clients with document preparation, legal research, court filings, calendaring, and case management, including civil and family law matters. I work strictly within the ethical boundaries governing paralegal practice while providing reliable, detail-oriented support through different stages of the legal process.

Previously, I served as a paralegal with Colorado’s 23rd Judicial District Attorney’s Office, where I supported prosecutors in active criminal cases and appellate matters. My work included preparing pleadings and appeals documents, managing CCJRA requests, handling redactions and sealings, tracking case status, and coordinating with law enforcement and government agencies. I became highly proficient in workflow and evidence systems such as ACTION, JustFOIA, PowerDirector, and Evidence.com, ensuring deadlines, compliance, and documentation accuracy were consistently met.

My experience also includes multiple roles within the 4th Judicial District Attorney’s Office, including the Organized Crime Unit. In these positions, I supported numerous attorneys simultaneously in complex District Court cases involving extensive evidence, voluminous reports, and multi-agency coordination. I regularly prepared and reviewed filings, conducted legal research, verified data, and collaborated with officers, witnesses, clerks, and internal teams to ensure seamless litigation support.

I began my legal career as an intern in the Restitution Department, contributing over 150 hours of volunteer service focused on victim impact statements, restitution research, and statutory analysis—an experience that grounded my work in both legal rigor and human impact.

In addition to my legal background, I bring prior experience in personnel and operations management from my time with a business development firm, where I oversaw staff, projects, workflows, and organizational processes. This foundation strengthens my ability to manage competing priorities, maintain organized systems, and support attorneys with efficiency and professionalism.

I am known for being dependable, detail-driven, and calm under pressure, with a strong understanding of court procedures, legal documentation, and the operational realities of busy legal offices. My goal is always to support legal teams and clients with accuracy, integrity, and respect for the law.

Paralegal & Notary || May 2024 to Present

Independent - El Paso County, Colorado

As an independent paralegal, I’ve assisted clients with document preparation, legal research, and court procedures within the guidelines of the rules and restrictions pertaining to paralegal ethics.

• Prepare and file motions in civil cases, including family law
• Check court dockets, scheduling, and pull case files
• Administration, calendaring, and mailing
• Legal research, writing, formatting, and review
• Acquired my Notary Certification in April 2025

Paralegal || August 2025 to February 2026

CO 23rd Judicial District Attorney’s Office, CCRJA

As a paralegal with the 23rd Judicial District Attorney’s Office, I supported prosecutors in active criminal matters by preparing case files, drafting and filing pleadings, coordinating with law enforcement and various other government agencies, and ensuring court deadlines and procedural requirements were met in accordance with Colorado law.

Proficient in Workflow Management through the program, ACTION, JustFOIA, Power Director, and Evidence.com

• Review of all CCJRA records requests
• Prepare appeals documents to be filed in court
• Maintain files and status reports on all criminal and civil appeals cases
• Redactions, sealings, habitual charges, OSWPs, Governor’s Warrants
• Administration, calendaring, and attorney support

Legal Assistant || April 2024 to August 2025

CO 4th Judicial District Attorney’s Office, District, Organized Crime Unit (OCU)

In addition to the duties as a Legal I Assistant, the OCU expanded the role by involving more complex legal processes, larger case participants, and a much stronger emphasis on extensive evidence gathering, voluminous reports, and officer involvement. I currently support six different attorneys in District Court, and occasionally more with higher-risk cases like homicide and special requests.

Proficient in Workflow Management through the program, ACTION

• Prepare, compose, review, and assemble a variety of legal documents, including filings, motions, pleadings, memoranda, and correspondence, for courtroom procedure and attorney support.
• Collaborate and communicate with a variety of parties on case-related matters, from witnesses and officers to division staff and clerks, ensuring the seamlessness of litigation and preparation for attorneys’ cases.
• Support numerous attorneys through a variety of additional tasks, including but not limited to, verifying additional data and information, workarounds for complex legal matters, and legal research.

Legal I Assistant || May 2023 - March 2024

CO 4th Judicial District Attorney’s Office, County, Divisions G/F

As a Legal Assistant in the District Attorney's Office, I played a crucial role in managing a wide range of legal matters in County Court, from case preparation and legal research to assisting attorneys with trials, ensuring the smooth and efficient handling of criminal and civil cases.

Proficient in Workflow Management through the program, ACTION

• Ensure that all case documents, including pleadings, motions, and evidence, are properly filed and accessible.
• Draft routine legal documents, including subpoenas, summonses, and correspondence.
• Assist attorneys in drafting motions, briefs, and other legal filings.
• File legal documents with the court, both electronically and in person, while tracking deadlines for filings, ensuring timely submission of documents, and distributing documents to relevant parties.
• Communicate with attorneys, witnesses, and law enforcement personnel to gather information or provide updates on cases
• Respond to inquiries from various parties, witnesses, and stakeholders, and provide relevant information when appropriate.
• Draft and send letters, emails, and other correspondence on behalf of attorneys, as well as screen and route calls, messages, and emails to the appropriate attorney or staff member, and communicate with other legal professionals on case matters

Legal Intern || February 2023 - April 2023

CO 4th Judicial District Attorney’s Office, Restitution

• Assist in preparing victim impact statements and proper documentation required for court submissions.
• Perform legal research on restitution-related laws and statutes.
• Support victim advocates by providing information on the restitution processes and assist with the preparation of restitution-related documents.
• Over 150 hours committed to volunteer work on legal issues

Personnel and Operations || January 2019 - July 2020

ALL MAVEN, Business Development Firm

• Develop and execute operational strategies aligned with business goals.
• Oversee staff and projects, as well as performance reviews and culture.
• Delegate and assign projects to staff members based on skills and experience via project management software, and track efficiency and productivity.
• Provide feedback and insight on administrative and organizational processes.
• Implement new and diverse initiatives for company growth and advancement
• Network and represent ALL MAVEN for projects and collaborative efforts.

ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE (AAS), PARALEGAL

Pikes Peak State College

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - ABA  ACCREDITED

LEGAL ASSISTANT/ TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATE

Pikes Peak State College

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - ABA ACCREDITED

• Graduated Summa Cum Laude
• Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, All-State Colorado Academic Team
• The Honor Society