Associate General Counsel & Paralegal

Nakupuna Consulting is looking for an Associate General Counsel / Paralegal to join our team of talented consultants providing professional services to the Afghanistan War Commission. The Afghanistan War Commission was established by the Afghanistan War Commission Act of 2021 (P.L. 117-81, * 1094) as an independent commission in the legislative branch. The Commission is charged with conducting a comprehensive study of U.S. involvement in Afghanistan from June 1, 2001, through August 30, 2021, examining key strategic, diplomatic, military, intelligence, and reconstruction decisions across more than two decades. In its August 2027 final report, the Commission will produce findings, lessons learned, and recommendations to inform future decisions by Congress and policymakers throughout the United States Government.

The following describes the general nature of the work and is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, or qualifications associated with the position.

Review Commission interview transcripts and related materials for accuracy, completeness, classification and sensitivity concerns, and other legal or records-management issues; assist in maintaining and organizing the Commission's extensive collection of interview records.
• Assist the General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel in identifying classified information proposed for inclusion in the Commission's final report and preparing declassification and release requests to relevant departments and agencies, including drafting supporting rationales and tracking requests through resolution.
• Support the identification, organization, and preparation of the Commission's permanent records for transfer to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), including coordinating with Commission personnel to ensure records are complete, appropriately organized, and ready for transfer.
• Help develop a record compendium and organizational structure that will enable future researchers and authorized users to understand, locate, and use the Commission's records after the Commission concludes its work.
• Assist in managing and accounting for documents and other materials provided to the Commission by executive branch departments and agencies, including classified and other sensitive records, and support their return, transfer, or other appropriate disposition at Commission closeout.
• Maintain accurate systems for organizing, tracking, locating, and accounting for Commission records and work with Commission personnel to promote consistent document-management practices across the organization.
• Assist the General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel with legal research, memoranda, correspondence, document requests, interviews, executive branch coordination, ethics and personnel matters, and other legal or operational issues arising during completion of the Commission's work.
• Support the Office of General Counsel and other Commission personnel on the legal, records-management, and administrative requirements necessary to complete the Commission's statutory mandate and orderly closeout.

Education/Qualifications:

• Associate General Counsel: A J.D. from an accredited law school and membership in good standing with a U.S. state bar are required, along with a minimum of one to three years of post-J.D. legal experience.
• Paralegal: Minimum one to three years of relevant paralegal, legal support, document-management, records-management, or comparable professional experience. More senior paralegal candidates will also be considered.
• Superb organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail are essential. Candidates must be able to manage and accurately track large volumes of information and multiple concurrent assignments.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment and appropriately handle classified, sensitive, or confidential information.
• Ability to take ownership of assignments, identify issues requiring attention, follow tasks through to completion, and reliably meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively as part of a small team in a fast-paced environment, respond constructively to changing priorities, and assist wherever needed to accomplish the team's mission.
• Experience in Congress, an executive branch department or agency, a commission, law firm, or other organization handling government, classified, or sensitive records is helpful but not required.

Clearance Requirement: This position requires a current Top Secret/SCI security clearance, or a clearance held within the preceding six months. Must be a U.S. citizen.

Physical Requirements: The ideal candidate must at a minimum be able to meet the following physical requirements of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation:

• Ability to perform repetitive motions with the hands, wrists, and fingers.
• Ability to engage in and follow audible communications in emergency situations.
• Ability to sit for prolonged periods at a desk and working on a computer.

The Nakupuna Companies use a market-based compensation strategy to ensure that our employees are compensated within applicable market ranges commensurate with multiple factors, including but not limited to the individual's particular combination of education, knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience, as well as contract-specific affordability, organizational requirements, and position location. The projected compensation range for this position is $140,000 to $155,000 (annualized USD). The salary range displayed represents the typical salary range for this position and is just one component of Nakupuna Companies' total compensation package for employees.