Legal Assistant

Company: FSA Federal
Location: Herndon
Posted on: May 5, 2025

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 potential vacancies nationwide for a Paralegal/Legal Assistant II, III and IV. If you are looking for a meaningful, mission driven career, Join FSA! Paralegal/Legal Assistant II duties: 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 review. Drafts, edits, and reviews non-legal information, creates correspondence, and research reports. Helps prepare for trial by organizing exhibits and assists in creating and organizing statistical charts and photographs. Interviews potential witnesses and prepares summary interview reports. Reviews prepared legal documents to confirm the citations and legal references included in the documents. Attends pre-trial meetings to review case materials for missing documents or other questionable material and may request further information to correct deficiencies. After/during trial prepares summaries of testimony and depositions. Investigates facts and laws of cases and searches public records to prepare cases and determine causes of action, as well as research reports and correspondence relating to cases. Performs other duties as assigned. Paralegal/Legal Assistant III duties: 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. Paralegal/Legal Assistant IV duties: Reviews investigative reports for probable cause, determines the need for additional information and evidence, and plans a comprehensive approach to obtain needed information and evidence. May provide Legal Clerk/Paralegal II review. Receives, examines, and evaluates new and complex cases referred for judicial forfeiture proceedings with reference to the facts of the case and agency standards to determine case litigation worthiness, appropriate titles of law, and pertinent case law. Prepares legal pleadings to start judicial forfeiture proceedings and motions; papers and proposed orders to complete forfeiture, settlement, or dismissal; and drafts of legal memoranda/briefs for the forfeiture attorney. Confers with the forfeiture attorney regarding the merits of the potential forfeiture and the probabilities of success of the forfeiture while considering the strengths and weaknesses of probable cause and potential defenses. Assists forfeiture attorney in pretrial preparations. Prepares, reviews, and organizes discovery; notifies, interviews, prepares summaries of, and manages witnesses; and researches case law. Uses various databases and programs to extrapolate data for reports, charts, graphs, and trial exhibits. Assists in preparing court proceedings by compiling, organizing, and indexing various evidentiary exhibits. Utilizes various automated legal research tools, as well as public information databases and other resources, to research specialized case or program-specific legal matters including research of case law, slip opinions, etc. Participates in assigned areas of criminal or civil proceedings, e.g. electronic discovery. Interviews federal agents and other law enforcement officers regarding the probable cause for forfeiture and the availability of evidence and witnesses. Supports forfeiture attorney in influencing claimants and claimants' attorneys of the accuracy of the agency's legal position and the appropriateness of the agency's proposed settlement. Prepares appropriate documents for settlement or other appropriate disposition. If settlements cannot be agreed upon, prepares all necessary pleadings for the court in order to attain the issuance of default decrees of forfeiture. Prepares summaries for attorneys using transcripts of depositions. Assists third parties or lien holders seeking remission or mitigation of forfeiture. As necessary, provides training to other paralegal In some offices, may be required to supervise other employees. Performs other duties as assigned. A Paralegal/Legal Assistant II must meet the following qualifications: Paralegal Certificate; or High School Diploma/GED with at least two-years' related experience in a law office or government setting, paralegal/legal assistance experience preferred Trial and automated litigation support experience preferred Ability to grasp and understand the organization and functions of the customer Knowledge to conduct basic legal research, including standard legal citation 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 and legal research tools Proven commitment and expertise to provide excellent customer service; positive and flexible Ability to work in a team environment, deliver the highest quality of work, and maintain a professional disposition under extreme pressure A Paralegal/Legal Assistant III must meet the following qualifications: Paralegal Certificate with at least one-year paralegal/legal assistance 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 A Paralegal/Legal Assistant IV must meet the following qualifications: Bachelor's Degree in Paralegal Studies; or an Undergraduate Degree in another field with a Paralegal Certificate; or a Paralegal Certificate with at least two-years' paralegal experience; or High School Diploma/GED with at least four-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 Trial experience preferred Knowledge of the principles, concepts, and methods of legal research and analysis to perform assigned case development and documentation assignments which are typically covered by established precedents Knowledge of forfeiture laws, policies, and procedures, and trial experience preferred Excellent communication skills; oral and written, to include legal writing skills Strong organizational and prioritization skills, and ability to work with minimal supervision 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. 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. For California Paralegal/Legal Assistant positions the hourly rate ranges from $26.43 to $48.73 based on location and position level; For Colorado Paralegal/Legal Assistant positions the hourly rate ranges from $25.92 to $43.90 based on location and position level; For District of Columbia Paralegal/Legal Assistant positions the hourly rate ranges from $31.69 to $46.90 based on location and position level; For Maryland Paralegal/Legal Assistant positions the hourly rate ranges from $29.01 to $46.90 based on location and position level; For New York Paralegal/Legal Assistant positions the hourly rate ranges from $24.55 to $46.53 based on location and position level; For Washington Paralegal/Legal Assistant positions the hourly rate ranges from $26.08 to $45.93 based on location and position level This position is not currently approved for telework and requires work to be performed onsiteConsistent 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. FSAs employment practices are based on an individuals 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. Employment Type: Full Time

Keywords: FSA Federal, North Bethesda , Legal Assistant, Legal , Herndon, Maryland