Paralegal / Legal Assistant III at US Attorneys Office

Fsa - Birmingham, AL

Full-time - Entry Level

Birmingham, AL

Personal and Laundry Services

About the position

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 a vacancy for a Paralegal/Legal Assistant III. In this role, you will be supporting the overall mission of the US Attorney's Office (USAO). As a Paralegal/Legal Assistant III, you will assist attorneys in reviewing case material, gathering and analyzing case material, and preparing a digest of selected decisions and opinions, including legal references. You will receive, examine, and evaluate new and complex cases with reference to the facts of the case and established standards. Your role will involve 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. You will advise attorneys of the strengths and weaknesses of probable cause and potential defenses, and investigate facts and laws of cases by searching public records and other resources to prepare cases and determine causes of action using various legal research tools and public information databases. In addition, you will interview federal agents and other law enforcement officers regarding the probable cause for forfeiture and the availability of evidence and witnesses. You will assist attorneys in pretrial preparations by preparing, reviewing, and organizing discovery; notifying, interviewing, and preparing summaries; and managing witnesses. Your responsibilities will also include convincing affected individuals of the correctness of the legal position and appropriateness of the settlement, preparing documents for settlement or disposition, and preparing legal pleadings, motions, papers, and proposed orders. You will organize and manage files, documents, and indexing exhibits, summarize documents and proceedings, including depositions, interrogatories, and testimony to assist attorneys, and use various databases and programs to extrapolate data for reports, charts, graphs, and trial exhibits. Additionally, you will provide training to other personnel as needed and perform other duties as assigned.

Responsibilities

• Assists attorney in reviewing case material, gathering and analyzing case material, and preparing a digest of selected decisions/opinions, including legal references.
• 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 and planning a comprehensive approach to obtaining further evidence and information.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Requirements

• 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.
• 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.
• This position requires U.S. Citizenship and a 7 (or 10) year minimum background investigation.

Nice-to-haves

• Knowledge of forfeiture law, policies, and procedures and trial experience preferred.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package with greater choice and flexibility to support health, work-life balance, and professional growth.
• Employee only coverage can be built around basic plans at $0 employee cost for Medical, Dental, Vision, Term Life Insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance, Short-Term Disability, and Employee Assistance Program.