Paralegal Specialist.

Offices-to-go; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Justice is seeking a Paralegal Specialist (GS-09/11) to support litigation teams in Washington, DC. Responsibilities include conducting legal research, preparing memoranda, and assisting with discovery, filings, and trial preparation across various cases.

The role requires strong research, organizational, and citation skills, with experience in databases and court procedures. A background in Relativity or similar software is beneficial.

Qualifications

• One year of specialized experience at the GS-07 level or equivalent.
• Education that includes a master’s degree or 2 years of graduate study; or a JD/LLB if related.
• Combination of education and experience to meet 100% of requirements.

Responsibilities

• Conducts factual and legal research and analyzes statutes, regulations, and case law.
• Drafts memoranda, opinions, and other legal documents.
• Assists with preparing, editing, and updating litigation status reports.
• Proofreads and cite-checks briefs and other legal documents.

Skills

Legal research

Citation checking

Document review

Trial support

Lexis/Westlaw proficiency

Education

Master's degree or equivalent

LL.M/J.D. (related field)

Tools

Relativity

Concordance

Summation

Lexis

Westlaw

Job description

Duties

NOTE: The closing date on this vacancy has been extended until Tuesday, August 25, 2026

The duties and responsibilities for a GS-0201-09/11 Paralegal Specialist generally include, but are not limited to, the following:

Gs-09

• Conducts basic and legal research for assigned cases.
• Reviews and analyzes prior case materials to become familiar with questions under consideration.
• Uses electronic databases and other electronic means to perform various litigation support tasks, including organizing, indexing, and summarizing documents, files, and other material.
• Utilizes the court's electronic case filing program and applies knowledge of the applicable local court rules and procedures for preparing and filing legal documents, including preparing documents for and running tables of contents, tables of authorities, and other required elements.
• Retrieves cases and searches legal reference files for information and dates required. Uses LEXIS and WESTLAW cite-checking features to verify citations and legal references in prepared
• Assists with preparing, editing, and updating office reports on litigation status. and other topics.
• Drafts and revises other non-legal memoranda and reports.
• Proofreads and cite-checks legal briefs, memoranda, and other legal documents. Verifies accuracy of factual and legal references, ensures that citation format accords with requirements, and ensures that cases relied upon remain good authority.

GS-11

• Conducts factual and legal research in a variety of legal and non-legal reference sources and databases and provides information in response to questions of moderate variety and complexity.
• Drafts memoranda and comprehensive written reports that serve as the basis for developing critical legal arguments, recommendations, or opinions.
• Independently conducts legal research on statutes, legislative history, regulations, and administrative and judicial precedents, including research in specialized areas requiring examination of esoteric sources and issues of first impression.
• Provides technical support to attorneys during deposition and trial. Ensures that pleadings, exhibits, trial notebooks and similar materials are prepared and ready for trial and evidentiary hearings.
• Proofreads and cite-checks legal briefs, memoranda, and other legal documents. Verifies accuracy of factual and legal references, ensures that citation format accords with requirements, and ensures that cases relied upon remain good authority.
• Supports attorneys in developing and managing evidence pertaining to all aspects of litigation, including investigations, pre-trial discovery, and interviews with investigative sources and witnesses.
• Prepares and organizes evidence for production in discovery and for use in trial. Codes and indexes discovery documents using legal case management software such as Relativity, Concordance, and Summation.
• Drafts discovery requests, subpoenas, stipulations, and affidavits and other documents necessary for evidentiary development. Prepares witness binders and for use during investigations, depositions, hearings, and trial. Prepares trial exhibits such as statistical charts, graphs, timelines, and maps to be presented in court.
• Provides technical assistance and logistical support to trial attorneys and witnesses in preparation for evidential hearings and trials and in the courtroom.
• Utilizes the court's electronic case filing program and applies knowledge of the applicable local court rules and procedures for preparing and filing legal documents, including preparing documents for and running tables of contents, tables of authorities, and other required elements.
• Proofreads and cite-checks legal briefs, memoranda, and other legal documents. Verifies accuracy of factual and legal references, ensures that citation format accords with requirements, and ensures that cases relied upon remain good authority.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• You must be a United States Citizen or National.
• You must successfully pass a security/background investigation and a drug screening.
• You must be a current permanent Department of Justice employee with competitive status or a CTAP/RPL eligible candidate.
• You must meet all applicable time-in-grade requirements by the closing of this announcement.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born on, or after, December 31, 1959. Those not registered should have an approved exemption on file.
• You must meet all eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement and continue to meet these requirements throughout the hiring process. Offers can be rescinded if requirements are not met.
• You will be required to complete a probationary period (if applicable).

Qualifications

To qualify for the position of Paralegal Specialist, at GS-0950-9/11, you must meet the qualification requirements listed below.

If you are a current or former federal employee on a permanent appointment in the competitive service, you will need to demonstrate 1-year (52-weeks) at the next lower grade level as listed in the qualifications below. Time-in-Grade applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks. Additionally, please ensure to submit an applicable SF-50 (please refer to the "required documents" section for additional information).

To qualify for the GS-09 Paralegal Specialist position, you must demonstrate that you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level in the federal service performing such duties as: conducting legal research and analyzing statutes, regulations, case law, administrative decisions, or legal guidance; preparing draft memoranda or recommended actions for attorney review; searching and reviewing legal references, case files, and other sources for information and data required by attorneys or court personnel.

OR Have a master's or equivalent graduate degree or successfully completed at least 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree OR received an LL.B or J.D if related.

OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) by 36. Add the two percentages.

To qualify for the GS-11 Paralegal Specialist position, you must demonstrate that you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level in the federal service performing such duties as: Independently conducts factual and legal research in a variety of legal and non-legal reference sources and databases and provides information in response to questions of moderate variety and complexity; independently reviews, processes, and prepares litigation documents covering legal issues as a case progresses through administrative or judicial litigation; drafts correspondence, pleadings, motions, briefs, and other legal documents; supports attorneys in developing and managing evidence pertaining to all aspects of litigation, including investigations, pre-trial discovery, and interviews with investigative sources and witnesses.

OR Education: a LL.M, a Ph.D., or equivalent doctoral degree in a related field OR 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree. Education at the graduate level must be in an accredited college or university and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of the position;

OR Combination of Education and Experience: combination of education and experience that may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) by 54. Add the two percentages.

You MUST meet all qualification requirements, including time-in-grade, by 08/25/2026 of this announcement.

Your resume must support your responses to the application questionnaire and the qualification requirements. Failure to do so may result in an ineligible rating. See the Required Documents section for important notes about what must be included in your resume.

Education

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements, please see the statements below.

Education must be reviewed and certified by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, in order for it to be creditable towards your qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from accredited institution.

FOREIGN EDUCATION:

Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see

If you are qualifying on foreign education, you MUST submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. All documentation must be in English or include an English translation.

Additional Selections May Be Made From This Announcement.

• CURRENT AND FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES: For more information, see
• CAREER TRANSITION PROGRAMS (): For more information visit:

General Employment Information

• REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION: Our policy can be found at:
• SELECTIVE SERVICE: If you were born male, on or after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. Additional information is found at:

Career Transition Assistance Program ():

• Meet
• Be rated well-qualified for the position with a score of 85 or above based on the competencies listed above; and
• Submit the appropriate documentation to support your

EEO Statement/Policy

The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor.

Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs

The Fair Chance Act prohibits Federal agencies from requesting an applicant's criminal history information before the agency makes a conditional offer of employment. If you believe a DOJ employee or Federal contractor acting on its behalf has violated your rights under this Act, you may submit a written complaint within 30 days of the date of the alleged non-compliance directly to Victoria Jones at [e-mail].

Note:

In accordance with 5 U.S. Code

• 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R
• 920.201(b) certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance Act. This position is excluded from the bargaining unit.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.