Paralegal I Supporting the US Attorney's Office

• Provides a variety of direct legal support assistance services to Assistant U.S. Attorneys (AUSAs) in the Affirmative Civil Enforcement Unit (ACE). Duties include:
  • Examines, prepares and processes a variety of technical legal documents and statistical information that are characteristically voluminous and complex in format. Reviews incoming material and independently determines the need for assembly and preparation of a variety of legal documents; e.g., complaints, motions, orders, answers, pleadings, Civil Investigative Demands and subpoenas. In preparation of documents, considers the nature and the status of the case involved. With limited instructions from the AUSA, prepares initial drafts of legal documents such as motions, briefs, affidavits,
    orders, correspondence, discovery requests and responses, and other pleadings. Completes variable aspects of preparing recurring legal documents that conform to the rules governing their style and format.
  • Electronically files documents on behalf of and at the directive of the AUSA with
    the appropriate state or federal court, applying knowledge of local court rules and practices.
  • Provides assistance to AUSAs in trial preparation by performing duties such as independently compiling trial notebooks, assembling jury instructions, compiling witness and exhibit lists, and managing witnesses. Coordinates with the financial litigation paralegal and debt collection agent and the victim/witness specialists to ensure adherence to current departmental guidelines relating to victims' rights and services responsibilities. Notifies appropriate individuals of victim/witness issues.
  • Using original and online legal resources, verifies citations and statutory references contained in legal documents. Ensures citations are complete and consistent with source material.
  • Develops tables of contents, authorities and indices to briefs in accordance with established format. Lists cited cases, opinions and miscellaneous references in briefs.
  • Composes original letters that require a good working knowledge of legal procedures and specialized terminology, e.g., transmittal of pleadings, requests for extensions of time in certain cases, advising of actions taken or developments in cases referred by other federal departments and agencies, and notices to attorneys representing defendants.
• Provides a variety of ancillary office support functions requiring some subject-matter knowledge of the United States Attorneys programs and operations, to include ACE. Typical assignments may include the following:
  • Performs docketing duties such as opening, updating and closing cases through use of the automated case tracking system. As necessary, searches database for required information.
  • Obligates funds for litigation expenses and monitors for continued necessity. Reviews bills and invoices and submits to budget office for payment.
  • Maintains calendar of assigned active cases. Tracks filing, hearing, and trial dates, and scheduling conferences and interviews. Develops and maintains suspense system for ongoing cases and informs the AUSA of pending dates and deadlines. Maintains calendar(s) of the AUSA(s), scheduling appointments, interviews, and conferences, and provides reminders of commitments and court appearances.
  • Assembles the physical files or electronic files for new cases by filing materials in chronological order, preparing and printing conflict of interest sheets for assigned attorney, and numbering the initial case materials and discovery. Upon receipt, sends additional discovery to outside parties as directed by the assigned AUSA.
  • Prepares files for closing by putting the documents in chronological order, ensuring that the relevant documents are in the file, and preparing a closing sheet for the assigned AUSA's signature.
  • Receives visitors, answers telephone and refers callers to staff members or takes messages as appropriate. Furnishes requested information concerning pending and closed matters and cases, functions and general procedures of the office. Determines which matters should be referred to the AUSA and the urgency of the matter.
  • Attend meetings and trainings as may be required and appropriate.
  • Produces a variety of written documents and materials utilizing a wide range of office software applications, such as MS Word, MS Excel, MS Outlook, MS Access, Word Perfect, Adobe Acrobat Professional or other databases. For example, assignments may include integrating output from different software types, e.g., tables produced by database applications and charts and graphs produced by electronic spreadsheet applications, into word processing or desktop publishing text. Products include complicated tables, graphs and charts, which may be incorporated into legal documents or courtroom presentations. Ensures all documents contain the proper format, spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and grammar.
  • When appropriates, provides automated litigation assistance to attorneys in trial preparation and courtroom presentations, including transcribing dictation. Utilizes various software applications and graphics hardware such as scanners and plotters. Prepares documents, charts, and visual materials used in trials. Provides technical support e.g., enlarging charts and photographs, duplicating tapes and videos, and marking exhibits.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Salary : $23