Paralegal / Legal Assistant III supporting ATF

fsafederal; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Professional growth opportunities

Job summary

FSA Federal is seeking a Paralegal/Legal Assistant III to support the ATF mission. The role involves reviewing case material, preparing digests, researching facts and law, organizing discovery, and assisting attorneys with trial preparation and settlements.

The candidate will use legal research tools, interview agents, and prepare exhibits. A paralegal certificate or substantial related experience is required, with strong communication and organizational skills essential to perform under

Qualifications

• Paralegal Certificate with at least one year of paralegal experience, or High School Diploma/GED with at least three years of paralegal experience
• One year of automated litigation support experience with knowledge of automated resources and technology for federal cases
• Knowledge of forfeiture law, policies, and procedures; trial experience preferred
• Knowledge of legal research methods and analysis to perform case development and documentation assignments
• Excellent oral and written communication, including legal writing
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills
• Experience with Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word) and databases

Responsibilities

• Assists attorney in reviewing case material and preparing a digest of decisions/opinions with legal references
• Receives, examines, and evaluates new and complex cases per established standards
• Assists in determining probable cause by reviewing investigative reports and planning evidence collection
• Conducts legal research using databases and interviews agents to prepare cases and locate witnesses
• Assists in pretrial discovery, interviewing witnesses, and organizing summaries
• Assists in preparing settlement documents and formal dispositions
• Prepares legal pleadings, motions, papers and proposed orders
• Organizes files, documents, and exhibits; summarizes depositions and testimony
• Uses databases to extrapolate data for reports, charts, and exhibits
• Provides training to staff as needed
• Performs other duties as assigned

Skills

Legal writing

Communication

Organization

Multi-tasking

Customer service

MS Office

Teamwork

Professional demeanor

Education

Paralegal certificate

High school diploma with paralegal experience

Tools

Databases

Job description

Be a part of the nationwide law enforcement initiative that removes the tools of crime from criminal organizations, depriving wrongdoers of proceeds from their crime and impacting the infrastructure of criminal enterprises.

FSA Federal (FSA) is focused on delivering unsurpassed services in support of law enforcement and homeland security. We currently have a vacancy for a Paralegal/Legal Assistant III. In this role, you will be supporting the overall mission of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

Responsibilities

• Assists attorney in reviewing case material to include gathering and analyzing case material and preparing a digest of selected decisions/opinions, including legal references. May provide Legal Clerk/Paralegal II review.
• Receives, examines, and evaluates new and complex cases with reference to the facts of the case and established standards.
• Assists in determining probable cause by reviewing investigative reports, establishing the need for further evidence and information, and planning a comprehensive approach to obtaining that information and evidence. Advises attorneys of the strengths and weaknesses of probable cause and potential defenses.
• Investigates facts and laws of cases and searches public records and other resources to prepare cases and determine causes of action by using a variety of legal research tools, public information databases, and other automated resources. Interviews federal agents and other law enforcement officers regarding the probable cause for forfeiture and the availability of evidence and witnesses.
• Assists attorney in pretrial preparations by preparing, reviewing, and organizing discovery; notifying, interviewing, and preparing summaries; and managing witnesses.
• Assists attorney in convincing the affected individuals of the correctness of the legal position and appropriateness of the settlement. Also prepares documents for settlement or disposition.
• Prepares legal pleadings, motions, papers, and proposed orders.
• Organizes and manages files, documents, and indexing exhibits.
• Summarizes documents and proceedings, including depositions, interrogatories, and testimony to assist attorneys.
• Uses various databases and programs to extrapolate data for reports, charts, graphs, and trial exhibits.
• Provides training to other personnel as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Paralegal Certificate with at least one-year paralegal experience; or High School Diploma/GED with at least three-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
• Knowledge of forfeiture law, policies, and procedures and trial experience preferred
• Knowledge of the principles, concepts, and methods of legal research and analysis sufficient to perform case development and documentation assignments which are typically covered by established precedents
• Excellent communication skills; oral and written, to include legal writing skills
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills
• Experience with the Microsoft Office suite of applications (Excel, PowerPoint, Word) and other common software applications, to include databases
• Proven commitment and expertise to provide excellent customer service; positive and flexible; ability to multi-task
• Ability to work in a team environment, deliver the highest quality of 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 Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) mission is to enforce the federal laws and regulations relating to alcohol, tobacco, firearms, explosives and arson by working directly and in cooperation with other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. ATF has the authority to seize and forfeit firearms, ammunition, explosives, alcohol, tobacco, currency, conveyances and certain real property involved in violation of law.

Benefits Overview

At FSA Federal, we recognize the diverse needs of our employees and strive to provide an excellent package to help meet those needs. Comprehensive benefits are offered with greater choice and flexibility to support your health, work-life balance, and professional growth. A package providing employee only coverage can be built around our basic plans at $0 employee cost for: Medical, Dental, Vision, Term Life Insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance, Short-Term Disability, and Employee Assistance Program. For more information, click here.