Legal Analyst *FOIA*

PenBay Technology Group; Alexandria (VA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 98,000; Full time

Job summary

PenBay Technology Group seeks a Legal Analyst to join a on-site contract team with the DoD Office of the General Counsel. The role requires understanding of DoD standards and the ability to read, interpret, and analyze complex legal documents.

The analyst will manage legal holds, assist in civil litigation and FOIA actions, and coordinate with DoD components. Strong written and verbal communication skills and proficiency in MS Office are essential.

Qualifications

• Understanding of FOIA exemptions B(1)-B(9).
• Three years of experience analyzing legal documents.
• Experience with the Department of War/DoD requirements.
• Fluency with DoD, Joint Staff, and Military Departments’ standards.
• Ability to read, interpret, and analyze complex legal documents.
• Strong oral and written communication abilities.
• Proficiency with MS Office and common office software.

Responsibilities

• Read, interpret, and analyze legal documents and research sources.
• Hand carry legal actions and packages to coordinating offices.
• Coordinate with DoD components for review of records and delivery of cases.
• Provide preliminary review and support for civil litigation, inquiries, FOIA requests.
• Prepare legal holds and privilege logs with tracking and notices.
• Identify classified information and NATO classified data as applicable.
• Maintain case records using the OGC records management system.
• Use e‑discovery software to find, preserve, and review electronic data.

Skills

DoD standards of practice

Reading and interpreting legal docs

Clear communication to attorneys

Legal document research

e-discovery software

Education

Associate degree

Three years FOIA processing experience

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

FOIAXPRESS/Relativity/Casepoint

Job description

Job Overview

PenBay Technology Group is seeking a Legal Analyst to provide full‑time support on site as part of a contract team with the DoD Office of the General Counsel (OGC).

The Candidate Selected Will

• Have a comprehensive understanding of DoD, the Joint Staff, and the Military Departments’ standards of practice.
• Accomplish tasks utilizing strong organizational and administrative skills; an ability to read, interpret, and understand legal documents and research legal sources; and communicate clearly to attorneys.
• Hand carry legal actions and packages to and from coordinating offices as needed.
• Coordinate with OSD/Joint Staff and DoD components for review of responsive records and delivery of cases to and from component offices.
• Provide preliminary review, analysis, and support for civil litigation cases, congressional inquiries and investigations, Privacy and Civil Liberties matters, FOIA requests, tasked initial FOIA cases, and other matters tasked to OGC.
• Prepare legal holds for distribution, draft preliminary versions of legal holds, identify appropriate recipients, track all issued legal holds, send reminders, and send closure notices.
• Assist in the identification of classified information, Restricted or Formerly Restricted Data, and militarily critical technology.
• Assist in the identification and handling of NATO classified and unclassified information.
• Assist in the identification of non‑OSD/JS component equities (including DoD, intelligence community and other entity equities).
• Assist in the identification of information exempt from release in accordance with applicable statutes and regulations and apply the appropriate exemptions.
• Conduct appropriate coordination, as needed, and document accordingly.
• Provide reproduction of documents required for tasks and case records.
• Coordinate follow‑up of agency coordination to determine review status.
• Provide registration of case work, including Classified Document Registries and other office administrative functions (e.g., scanning materials, filing records, maintaining tracking materials and tools).
• Utilize e‑discovery software to find, preserve, and review electronic data.
• Maintain database/records management for each case using the OGC records management and case processing system.
• Review OSD/Joint Staff and DoD component release recommendations and assist in reconciling differences in release recommendations.
• Process electronic redaction of exempt information for case records pursuant to authorities.
• Prepare detailed Vaughn indices, including entries that identify each document withheld, state the statutory exemption claimed, and explain how disclosure would damage the interests protected by the claimed exemption.
• Prepare internal and external correspondence for case attorneys for approval and release.
• Draft legal holds.
• Perform escort duties within workspaces as necessary.
• Review information that is potentially relevant to ongoing litigation and properly identify responsive information for further processing.
• Identify all privileged information contained in records responsive to ongoing litigation, congressional inquiries, investigations, and FOIA requests.
• Prepare detailed privilege logs, including entries that identify each document deemed to contain privileged material, state the privilege or other exemption claimed, and explain how disclosure would damage interests protected by the claimed privilege or exemption.
• Perform appropriate open and close procedures of secure workspaces and areas.

Requirements

• Top Secret clearance required (SCI eligibility preferred).

Educational Requirement

• Associate degree, or three (3) years’ experience processing FOIA requests.

Experience/Skills Requirement

• Understanding of the FOIA exemptions B(1)-B(9).
• Three years of relevant experience analyzing legal documents.
• Experience working with the Department of War.
• Fluency with, and understanding of, DoD, Joint Staff, and the Military Departments’ standards of practice.
• The ability to review, understand, and analyze complex legal and non‑legal DoD documents.
• Possess exceptional oral and written communication abilities and the ability to read, interpret, and understand legal documents.
• The ability to leverage established relationships with other DoD components and agencies.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite of Applications (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and common office software applications.
• Flexible team player and capable of interacting at all levels within the customer space as well as other parts of the defense community.
• Motivated, self‑starter with the ability to accomplish tasks under pressure with limited supervision.
• Strong ability to multi‑task.
• Flexibility to accommodate time‑sensitive and mission‑critical work.

Desired Experience

• Previous government, law office, corporate general counsel office, or JAG office experience.
• DoD experience.
• Experience using e‑discovery software such as FOIAXPRESS, Relativity, Casepoint, or others for applying redactions.