FSA
Paralegal / Legal Assistant IV Supporting the US Attorney's Office
FSA, Alexandria, Virginia, us, 22350
Paralegal / Legal Assistant IV – United States Attorney's Office
Join FSA Federal (FSA) to support the overall mission of the United States Attorney's Office (USAO). This position offers a meaningful, mission‑driven career in law enforcement and homeland security.
Responsibilities
Review investigative reports for probable cause, determine need for additional information and evidence, and plan a comprehensive approach to obtain needed information and evidence; may provide Legal Clerk/Paralegal II review.
Receive, examine, and evaluate new and complex cases referred for judicial forfeiture proceedings, determining case litigation worthiness, appropriate titles of law, and pertinent case law.
Prepare legal pleadings to initiate judicial forfeiture proceedings and motions; draft papers and proposed orders to complete forfeiture, settlement, or dismissal; draft legal memoranda and briefs for the forfeiture attorney.
Confere with the forfeiture attorney regarding the merits of potential forfeiture and the probability of success, considering strengths and weaknesses of probable cause and potential defenses.
Assist the forfeiture attorney in pretrial preparations; prepare, review, and organize discovery; notify, interview, prepare summaries of, and manage witnesses; research case law.
Use various databases and programs to extrapolate data for reports, charts, graphs, and trial exhibits; assist in preparing court proceedings by compiling, organizing, and indexing evidentiary exhibits.
Utilize automated legal research tools, public information databases, and other resources to research specialized case or program‑specific legal matters, including case law and slip opinions; participate in assigned areas of criminal or civil proceedings, e.g., electronic discovery; interview federal agents and law‑enforcement officers regarding probable cause and evidence availability.
Support the forfeiture attorney in influencing claimants and claimants’ attorneys regarding the accuracy of the agency’s legal position and the appropriateness of proposed settlement.
Prepare appropriate documents for settlement or other disposition; if settlements cannot be agreed upon, prepare all necessary pleadings for the court to attain default decrees of forfeiture.
Prepare summaries for attorneys using deposition transcripts.
Assist third parties or lien holders seeking remission or mitigation of forfeiture.
As necessary, provide training to other paralegals.
In some offices, may be required to supervise other employees.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Requirements
Bachelor’s Degree in Paralegal Studies; or an undergraduate degree in another field with a Paralegal Certificate; or a Paralegal Certificate with at least two years’ paralegal experience; or a high school diploma/GED with at least four years’ paralegal experience.
One year of automated litigation support experience with knowledge of the capabilities and use of automated resources and technology for the development, presentation, and prosecution of federal cases.
Trial experience preferred.
Knowledge of the principles, concepts, and methods of legal research and analysis to perform assigned case development and documentation assignments.
Knowledge of forfeiture laws, policies, and procedures; trial experience preferred.
Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, including legal writing.
Strong organizational and prioritization skills, and ability to work with minimal supervision.
Experience with Microsoft Office suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word) and other common software applications, including databases.
Proven commitment to excellent customer service; positive, flexible, and able to multi‑task.
Ability to work in a team environment, deliver high‑quality work, and maintain a professional disposition under extreme pressure.
This position requires U.S. citizenship and a 7‑ or 10‑year minimum background investigation. Agency Overview The United States Attorney's Office (USAO) serves as the nation's principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. The Asset Forfeiture Section at USAO prosecutes both criminal and civil actions against property used or acquired during illegal activity.
Benefits Overview At FSA Federal, employees receive comprehensive benefits with greater choice and flexibility to support health, work‑life balance, and professional growth. Covered benefits include Medical, Dental, Vision, Term Life Insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance, Short‑Term Disability, and Employee Assistance Program for employees at $0 cost.
FSA is committed to equal employment opportunity and a harassment‑free work environment free from retaliation. Employment practices are based on individual capabilities and qualifications without regard to protected categories such as race, color, religion, sex (including transgender status, pregnancy, and sexual orientation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability, genetic information, veteran status, or other federally protected categories.
FSA maintains a drug‑free workplace; satisfactory completion of a post‑offer drug screening is required for employment. FSA adheres to agency standards concerning prior drug use as a federal government service provider.
Job Details Seniority Level: Entry level
Employment Type: Full‑time
Job Function: Legal
Industries: Government Administration
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Responsibilities
Review investigative reports for probable cause, determine need for additional information and evidence, and plan a comprehensive approach to obtain needed information and evidence; may provide Legal Clerk/Paralegal II review.
Receive, examine, and evaluate new and complex cases referred for judicial forfeiture proceedings, determining case litigation worthiness, appropriate titles of law, and pertinent case law.
Prepare legal pleadings to initiate judicial forfeiture proceedings and motions; draft papers and proposed orders to complete forfeiture, settlement, or dismissal; draft legal memoranda and briefs for the forfeiture attorney.
Confere with the forfeiture attorney regarding the merits of potential forfeiture and the probability of success, considering strengths and weaknesses of probable cause and potential defenses.
Assist the forfeiture attorney in pretrial preparations; prepare, review, and organize discovery; notify, interview, prepare summaries of, and manage witnesses; research case law.
Use various databases and programs to extrapolate data for reports, charts, graphs, and trial exhibits; assist in preparing court proceedings by compiling, organizing, and indexing evidentiary exhibits.
Utilize automated legal research tools, public information databases, and other resources to research specialized case or program‑specific legal matters, including case law and slip opinions; participate in assigned areas of criminal or civil proceedings, e.g., electronic discovery; interview federal agents and law‑enforcement officers regarding probable cause and evidence availability.
Support the forfeiture attorney in influencing claimants and claimants’ attorneys regarding the accuracy of the agency’s legal position and the appropriateness of proposed settlement.
Prepare appropriate documents for settlement or other disposition; if settlements cannot be agreed upon, prepare all necessary pleadings for the court to attain default decrees of forfeiture.
Prepare summaries for attorneys using deposition transcripts.
Assist third parties or lien holders seeking remission or mitigation of forfeiture.
As necessary, provide training to other paralegals.
In some offices, may be required to supervise other employees.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Requirements
Bachelor’s Degree in Paralegal Studies; or an undergraduate degree in another field with a Paralegal Certificate; or a Paralegal Certificate with at least two years’ paralegal experience; or a high school diploma/GED with at least four years’ paralegal experience.
One year of automated litigation support experience with knowledge of the capabilities and use of automated resources and technology for the development, presentation, and prosecution of federal cases.
Trial experience preferred.
Knowledge of the principles, concepts, and methods of legal research and analysis to perform assigned case development and documentation assignments.
Knowledge of forfeiture laws, policies, and procedures; trial experience preferred.
Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, including legal writing.
Strong organizational and prioritization skills, and ability to work with minimal supervision.
Experience with Microsoft Office suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word) and other common software applications, including databases.
Proven commitment to excellent customer service; positive, flexible, and able to multi‑task.
Ability to work in a team environment, deliver high‑quality work, and maintain a professional disposition under extreme pressure.
This position requires U.S. citizenship and a 7‑ or 10‑year minimum background investigation. Agency Overview The United States Attorney's Office (USAO) serves as the nation's principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. The Asset Forfeiture Section at USAO prosecutes both criminal and civil actions against property used or acquired during illegal activity.
Benefits Overview At FSA Federal, employees receive comprehensive benefits with greater choice and flexibility to support health, work‑life balance, and professional growth. Covered benefits include Medical, Dental, Vision, Term Life Insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance, Short‑Term Disability, and Employee Assistance Program for employees at $0 cost.
FSA is committed to equal employment opportunity and a harassment‑free work environment free from retaliation. Employment practices are based on individual capabilities and qualifications without regard to protected categories such as race, color, religion, sex (including transgender status, pregnancy, and sexual orientation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability, genetic information, veteran status, or other federally protected categories.
FSA maintains a drug‑free workplace; satisfactory completion of a post‑offer drug screening is required for employment. FSA adheres to agency standards concerning prior drug use as a federal government service provider.
Job Details Seniority Level: Entry level
Employment Type: Full‑time
Job Function: Legal
Industries: Government Administration
#J-18808-Ljbffr