Paralegal / Legal Assistant III supporting ATF

FSA; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Term Life Insurance

AD&D Insurance

Short-Term Disability

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

FSA Federal seeks a Paralegal/Legal Assistant III to support ATF-related cases, assisting attorneys with case material review, discovery management, and legal research. You will prepare digests, evaluate new cases, and help plan evidence gathering while maintaining high accuracy under pressure.

Role requires paralegal certification or equivalent experience, strong communication, and proficiency in MS Office and legal databases. U.S.

Qualifications

• Paralegal Certificate or equivalent experience required
• Strong legal research and writing skills
• Proven ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines
• Experience with discovery, case preparation, and factual research
• Excellent communication and organizational skills
• Experience with MS Office and legal databases preferred
• Background investigation and U.S. citizenship requirements may apply

Responsibilities

• Assist attorney in reviewing case material and preparing digests with legal references
• Evaluate new and complex cases against facts and standards
• Assist in determining probable cause and plan evidence gathering
• Research facts and laws using databases and public records; interview agents and officers
• Prepare, review, and organize discovery; interview and summarize witnesses
• Draft pleadings, motions, and proposed orders; manage files and exhibits
• Summarize documents and proceedings to support attorneys
• Generate data-driven reports, charts, and trial exhibits
• Provide training to other personnel as needed
• Perform other duties as assigned

Skills

Legal research

Oral and written communication

Teamwork

Prioritization

Customer service

Education

Paralegal Certificate

High School Diploma/GED with paralegal experience

Tools

Microsoft Office suite

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
• Employee Assistance Program

For more information, click here.

Consistent with our goal of empowering people, FSA is committed to providing all employees and employment candidates the right to equal employment opportunities and a harassment-free work environment free from retaliation. FSA’s employment practices are based on an individual’s capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including transgender status, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), national origin, age (40 or older), disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law. Equal employment opportunity applies to all policies and procedures including recruitment and hiring, promotions, transfers, and terminations, as well as compensation, benefits, and other terms and conditions of employment. Our long-term success depends upon our ability to attract, retain, and develop a workforce with the knowledge and skills needed to support the vital missions of our customers.

FSA is proud to maintain a drug-free workplace. Satisfactory completion of a post-offer drug screening is a condition of employment. As a supplier of services to federal government agencies, such as DEA, FBI, USCIS, USPIS, etc., we also adhere to agency standards with respect to prior drug usage.