REQ: 1483

Job Opening:   

Paralegal/ Legal Assistant I – Various locations

Job Description:

Examines, prepares and processes a variety of technical legal documents which are characteristically voluminous and complex in format.  Reviews incoming material and independently determines the need for assembly and preparation of a variety of legal documents, e.g., complaints, motions, orders, answers, pleadings, and subpoenas.  Obtains needed information from files, law enforcement agencies, or other sources, and submits completed legal documents to the appropriate AUSA or, in limited cases, directly to the court.  In preparation of documents, considers the nature and the status of the case involved.  With limited instructions from the AUSA, prepares such legal actions as indictments, criminal complaints, search warrants, judgments, applications, notices, affidavits, summonses, grand jury subpoenas, rules to show cause, proofs of claim, and satisfaction of judgment.  Completes variable aspects of recurring legal documents in conformance with the rules governing their style and format. Provides assistance to attorneys in trial preparation by performing duties such as independently compiling trial notebooks, assembling jury instructions, and compiling witness and exhibit lists.  Coordinates with the victim/witness specialist to ensure adherence to current Departmental guidelines relating to victims’ rights and services responsibilities.  Notifies appropriate individuals of victim/witness issues.  Using original and online legal resources, verifies citations and statutory references contained in legal documents. Ensures citations are complete and consistent with source material. Develops tables of contents and indices to briefs in accordance with established format.  Lists cited cases, opinions and miscellaneous references in briefs. Composes original letters that do not require legal interpretations, but do require a good working knowledge of legal procedures and specialized terminology, e.g., transmittal of pleadings, requests for extensions of time in certain cases, advising of actions taken or developments in cases referred by other federal departments and agencies, and notices to attorneys representing defendants. Provides a variety of direct clerical and administrative support assistance services to serviced AUSA staff.  Typical assignments include:   Receives visitors and telephone callers.  Furnishes requested information concerning pending and closed matters and cases, functions and general procedures of the office.  Determines which matters should be referred to the AUSA and the urgency of the matter.  Establishes and maintains a variety of files.  Searches legal reference files for information needed by AUSAs in conducting interviews and preparing correspondence. Assembles exhibits, affidavits, and other legal documents from file material. Separates, screens, selects, assembles, and organizes files and records material for disposition or transfer to records depository in accordance with established procedures. Performs docketing duties such as opening, updating and closing cases through use of the automated case tracking system.  As necessary, searches database for required information. Maintains calendar of assigned active cases.  Tracks filing, hearing, and trial dates, and scheduling conferences and interviews.  Develops and maintains suspense system for ongoing cases and informs the AUSA of pending dates and deadlines.  Maintains calendar(s) of the AUSA(s), scheduling appointments, interviews, and conferences, and provides reminders of commitments and court appearances.  Produces a variety of written documents and materials utilizing a wide range of office software applications.  For example, assignments may include integrating output from different software types, e.g., tables produced by database applications and charts and graphs produced by electronic spreadsheet applications, into word processing or desk top publishing text.  Products include complicated tables, graphs and charts which may be incorporated into legal documents or courtroom presentations.  Ensures proper format, spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and grammar. Performs other related duties as assigned.  The contractor work in an office setting; some walking, standing, bending and carrying of small office items is required. 

Education:

Paralegal Certificate Required.

Required Skills:

At least one (1) year Litigation Paralegal experience required; trial experience very helpful; automated litigation support experience helpful. Proficient in Microsoft Office software programs (i.e., Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook) and WordPerfect Office Suite. Sound working knowledge of the legal system, legal research procedures and sources of information. Must have excellent written and oral communication skills and thorough knowledge of legal research tools such as LEXIS and WestLaw.  Knowledge of, and skill in applying, standardized rules, processes and procedures sufficient to: assemble and process a full range of assigned legal documents in accordance with the rules governing their style and format; gather information using general reference sources and legal research tools to assist attorneys with basic research; and  use personal computers and office automation software to retrieve and sort information from files or records and to prepare documents with complicated formatting. Knowledge of office rules, procedures and operations sufficient to receive and refer telephone calls and visitors to staff members. Knowledge of a range of clerical practices and procedures to file material and obtain requested data from files. Knowledge of grammar, spelling, punctuation, and required formats sufficient to recognize and correct such errors in correspondence and reports.  Skill in operating a personal computer.  Keyboard proficiency is required.  Ability to use, understand and maintain directories, personnel lists and other guides and references to provide a variety of information on the office and to refer questions to other offices.  Skill in meeting and dealing with people in a courteous and tactful manner. Skill in operating a telephone.  Skill in operating a computer terminal, personal computer, electronic typewriter, or dedicated word processor using a standard typewriter style keyboard with additional function keys to produce a wide range of documents. Ability to lift 25 lbs.

Schedule and Status:  Full time

Employee Type:  Regular

Able to Obtain Clearance: Must pass a credit and background check and pre-employment drug screen.

Possess Clearance:  N/A

For consideration:

Please send your resumes to recruiter@labat.com or fax to 703.506.4646 attention Recruiter. Please note REQ# 1483 in the subject line.  We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.