What are the responsibilities and job description for the Paralegal position at U.S. Courts?
Summary
The Office of the Clerk, U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, is seeking a well-organized, detail-oriented, and reliable individual to serve as a Paralegal. The incumbent works closely with the Special Counsel to the Clerk and responds to inquiries from parties regarding cases, researches legal questions, reviews motions, and drafts orders. The incumbent serves as a back-up to the Courtroom Deputy.
Learn more about this agency
This job is open to
The public
Duties
- Reviews motions and other filings, conducts legal research, answers questions related to court policies and practices, prepares memoranda, drafts and issues orders, and assists the Special Counsel in presenting motions and petitions to panels of judges for disposition.
- Prepares letters, notices, and reports; proofreads and cite-checks documents drafted by others.
- Responds to inquiries from pro se litigants, attorneys, and others regarding cases.
- Monitors the Special Counsel's caseload and upcoming deadlines, prioritizes tasks, and provides other administrative support to the Special Counsel.
- Maintains, updates, and tracks paper and electronic files; scans documents.
- Maintains the list of attorneys who have volunteered to be appointed as amici curiae or pro bono counsel and the list of current and past appointments.
- Reviews requests for compensation submitted by attorneys providing criminal defense representation under the Criminal Justice Act.
- Serves as a back-up to the Courtroom Deputy, performing the full range of courtroom duties.
- Serves as a back-up to the Attorney Admissions Clerk.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Requirements
Conditions of employment
- The successful applicant must be able to work with minimal supervision while maintaining a high level of productivity. Good judgment, the ability to apply concepts to determine what action needs to be taken, strong oral and written communication skills, and careful proofreading skills are essential.
- The responsibilities for this position require the employee to be on-site daily. Because the D.C. Circuit entertains a large number of high-profile and sealed cases, employees are subject to strict confidentiality requirements.
- In addition, your continued employment is contingent upon the satisfactory completion of a background records check.
- The successful applicant must be a United States citizen or eligible to work in the United States.
- The successful applicant will be subject to mandatory electronic transfer of funds for payment of net pay.
Qualifications
To qualify at the CL-23 level, an applicant must be a high school graduate or equivalent and have at least two years of general experience or one of the following educational accomplishments:
- An associate's degree from an accredited school in a related legal field such as paralegal studies, pre-law, or criminal justice;
- A bachelor's degree from an accredited school in a related legal field such as paralegal studies, pre-law, or criminal justice; or
- A current paralegal certificate from an accredited provider.
General experience consists of progressively responsible administrative, office, or other work that indicates the possession of, or the ability to acquire, the particular knowledge and skills needed to perform the position's duties.
Specialized experience consists of progressively responsible experience requiring the regular and recurring application of clerical or administrative procedures that demonstrate the ability to apply a body of rules, regulations, directives, or laws and involve the routine use of specialized terminology and automated software and equipment for word processing, data entry, or report generation. Such experience is encountered in law firms, legal counsel offices, banking and credit firms, educational institutions, social service organizations, insurance companies, real estate and title offices, and corporate headquarters or human resources/payroll operations.
Education
At a minimum, candidates must possess a high school diploma or equivalent; however, a bachelor's degree is preferred.
Additional information
- This position is an excepted appointment and is "at will." The first year of employment is considered a probationary period.
- The United States Courthouse is a smoke-free building.
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.
Benefits
To learn about the Judiciary's benefits, go to https://www.uscourts.gov/careers/benefits.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Applicants will be evaluated based on their application and an interview.
Required Documents
- Cover Letter
- Resume
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
Email a cover letter and resume, as a single PDF attachment (Attention: Human Resources) to VacancyParalegal@cadc.uscourts.gov. Please include the vacancy announcement number (USCA-26-05) in the subject line.
This position is open until filled with preference given to applications received by May 22, 2026.
Agency contact information
333 Constitution Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20001
US
Next steps
Interviews will begin immediately. The court will send a letter regarding the status of an application only to those candidates scheduled for interviews. When the position is filled, a notice will be placed on the court's internet site.
Overview
Starting salary depending on experience.
- 0950 Paralegal Specialist
Salary : $46,164 - $91,839