Paralegal

DC Water; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

DC Water is seeking a Paralegal to provide vital legal support to the Chief Legal Officer and various departments. The ideal candidate will assist with legal documentation, research, and case management, requiring 5 years of experience or equivalent education in Paralegal studies.

The role includes responsibilities ranging from drafting court documents to assisting with open records requests. This position is integral in supporting the organization’s legal and governmental affairs.

Qualifications

• 5+ years legal experience in DGLA functional areas.
• Paralegal certificate and relevant legal experience.
• Practical knowledge of legal principles and research.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal support to Chief Legal Officer.
• Conduct legal research and draft legal documents.
• Coordinates with individuals and agencies on legal matters.

Skills

Legal research

MS Office proficiency

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Education

Paralegal certificate

Juris Doctorate degree

Associate degree in Paralegal Studies

Tools

Westlaw

LexisNexis

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Job description

*This job posting will expire on June 19, 2026*

Role Description

The Paralegal provides project related legal support and assistance to the Chief Legal Officer and EVP, DGLA Attorneys and Senior Paralegals, and Director Government Affairs. Duties include preparation of draft correspondence, legal documents and pleadings, legal research, preliminary analysis of legal cases and coordinating and performing document preparation, assisting in managing databases and records, case calendaring, corresponding with companies, individuals, courts, and other agencies, analyzing legislation and regulations, and assisting in the work of the Department of Government and Legal Affairs.

• Assists Chief Legal Officer and EVP, Attorneys, Senior Paralegals, and Senior Program Manager Government Affairs in the DGLA functional areas, including, but not limited to, Litigation, Receivership, Tax-Lien, Real Estate, Customer Service, Employment, Environmental, Governance, Intellectual Property, Regulatory/ Administrative law matters, and Government Affairs matters and any other government and legal matters as directed by the Chief Legal Officer and EVP and DGLA Attorneys and Senior Paralegals and Senior Program Manager Government Affairs.
• Conducts legal research and analyzes law sources using Westlaw and/or Lexis Nexis, such as legislation, statutes, regulations, recorded judicial decisions, legal articles, and legal codes to
• prepare draft legal documents such as briefs, pleadings, motions, and other litigation documents and other duties as assigned.
• Performs legal research and analysis of the law, legislative history precedent setting cases, decisions and opinions and drafts court documents, including Memoranda, Briefs, Motions, Answers, Pleadings, and Discovery documents, etc.
• Analyzes and organizes information, including investigation findings.
• Processes subpoena requests independently by obtaining documents from the appropriate department(s) and provides the information to the requester.
• Performs electronic research and case law cite checking using Westlaw and/or LexisNexis, and citation checking using Bluebook; conducts legal research using other databases and non-legal websites as requested to monitor and identify the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations in the DC Register for new and amended regulations.
• Assists in maintaining case management records and is responsible for processes associated with DGLA functional areas.
• Assists FOIA Coordinator/Officer in responding to FOIA matters.
• Prepares and assembles materials to assist Attorneys and Senior Paralegals and Government Affairs.
• Meets with DC Water personnel to gather information, etc.
• Acts as liaison between counsel, authority staff, outside counsel and the public.
• Proofreads documents and correspondence for accuracy.
• Monitors expenses; assists in the procurement of supplies and services necessary for office efficiency.
• Prepares regular and special reports.
• Performs other duties and projects as assigned at the discretion of the Chief Legal Officer and EVP, Attorneys, Senior Paralegals, and Senior Program Manager Government Affairs.

Supervisory Responsibilities

N/A

Key Working Relationships

Interacts with co-workers in the Office and throughout the Authority, outside counsel, and the general public.

Skills & Qualifications

The qualifications listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and ability necessary for an individual to perform each essential responsibility satisfactorily. Reasonable amounts of training are provided.

Required Skills & Qualifications Required Experience

• Five (5) years of relevant legal experience in one or more of the DGLA functional areas, or
• Three (3) years of relevant legal experience in one or more of the DGLA functional areas with an Associate’s degree in Paralegal Studies or Legal Studies or related field; or
• One (1) year of relevant legal experience in one or more of the DGLA functional areas with a Juris Doctorate degree.
• Paralegal certificate from an accredited program, college or university and five (5) years of relevant legal experience in one or more of the DGLA functional areas: including, but not limited to, Litigation, Receivership, Tax-Lien, Real Estate, Customer Service, Employments, Environmental, Governance, Intellectual Property, and Regulatory/ Administrative law matters and any other legal or government affairs matters; or
• Associate degree in Paralegal Studies, Legal Studies or related field from an accredited college or university and three (3) years of progressive experience in one or more of the DGLA functional areas: including, but not limited to, Litigation, Receivership, Tax-Lien, Real Estate, Customer Service, Employments, Environmental, Governance, Intellectual Property, and Regulatory/ Administrative law matters and any other legal or government affairs matters; or
• Juris Doctorate degree from an ASA-accredited school of law and one (1) year of experience in one or more of the DGLA functional areas: including, but not limited to, Litigation, Receivership, Tax-Lien, Real Estate, Customer Service, Employments, Environmental, Governance, Intellectual Property, and Regulatory/Administrative law matters, and any other legal or governmental affairs matters.

Required Skills

• Must pass a pre‑employment aptitude and skills assessment, including tests for basic math and verbal skills, typing, computer literacy & internet knowledge, and proficiency in MS Office (Excel and Word).
• Must maintain applicable annual training and/or certification requirements.
• Practical knowledge of basic legal principles and concepts.
• Skilled in conducting briefings.
• Practical knowledge of the principles, concepts, and methods of legal research and reference sources.
• Skilled in evaluating adequacy and/or admissibility of evidence, to request additional data or further investigation, when needed.
• Practical knowledge of Freedom of Information Act and policies and regulations.
• Practical knowledge of legal research databases such as Westlaw and/or LexisNexis.
• Skilled in communicating orally and in writing.
• Skilled in the use of personal computers and a thorough knowledge of applicable software programs (i.e. word processing, spreadsheets, legal databases e‑mail, etc.).
• Demonstrated proficiency in word processing, Adobe, power point (or equivalent), and spreadsheet programs.