Paralegal / Legal Assistant III supporting the ATF

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

Job summary

Allied Government Solutions, Inc. in Washington, DC, seeks a Paralegal/Legal Assistant III to support the ATF mission.

The role involves reviewing case materials, preparing digests, and assisting attorneys with discovery, pretrial preparations, and case management. Responsibilities include legal research, evaluating probable causes, organizing files and exhibits, drafting pleadings, and producing reports for trial.

Qualifications

• Paralegal certificate or 1 year paralegal experience; or HS diploma with 3+ years paralegal experience.
• 1 year of automated litigation support experience with legal tech.
• Knowledge of forfeiture law and trial experience preferred.
• Strong legal research and analysis skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills; legal writing.
• Strong organizational and prioritization abilities.
• Proficiency with MS Office and databases.
• Ability to work in a team under pressure and multi-task.

Responsibilities

• Assist attorney by reviewing case material and drafting digests with legal references.
• Review new cases and evaluate against standards.
• Assist in determining probable cause and plan evidence collection.
• Conduct legal research using databases and public records.
• Prepare discovery, summaries, and witness preparation.
• Draft pleadings, motions, and proposed orders.
• Organize files, documents, and indexing exhibits.
• Summarize depositions, interrogatories, and testimony.
• Generate data reports and trial exhibits from databases.
• Provide training to other staff as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Legal writing

Oral communication

Organizational skills

Teamwork

Multi-tasking

Attention to detail

Education

Paralegal Certificate

High School Diploma/GED

Tools

Microsoft Office

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.

Allied Government Solutions, Inc. is an SBA HUBZone-certified, woman-owned small business, focused on finding the most effective solutions to the multiple challenges facing government agencies and all companies engaged in government contracting. Our experts possess extensive knowledge and experience in business process management, operations consulting and meeting surge-related demands in a proficient and timely manner. 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 Allied Government Solutions (AGS), 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.