Paralegal Specialist (Recent Graduate)

$68,405 - $88,926/Yr

United States Department of Justice

Part-time,Full-time - Entry Level

Onsite

Justice, Public Order, and Safety Activities

About the position

The Paralegal Specialist position in the Appellate Section of the Environmental and Natural Resources Division involves providing essential paralegal support to attorneys handling cases in federal and state appellate courts. The role includes preparing appeal recommendations, drafting petitions and briefs for the U.S. Supreme Court, and ensuring compliance with court rules. This position is designed for recent graduates and offers the potential for conversion to a term or permanent appointment based on performance and training completion.

Responsibilities

• Conducting cite checks pursuant to The Bluebook.
• Proofreading and editing legal briefs and memoranda prior to filing in court.
• Ensuring conformance of documents to applicable court rules.
• Performing document management, including creating and maintaining litigation databases.
• Assisting in preparation for court appearances, including managing exhibits, documents, and logistics.
• Organizing and writing synopses of factual materials.
• Summarizing depositions and preparing, organizing, and indexing administrative records.
• Preparing non-legal memoranda.
• Performing research in various legal databases including Westlaw, Pacer, and Lexis.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen or national.
• Completion of a qualifying degree or program within the previous two years.
• One year of specialized experience at the GS-7 level or equivalent, or a Master's degree, or a combination of education and experience that meets the qualification requirements.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience with legal research and writing.
• Familiarity with court procedures and rules.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.

Benefits

• Paid vacation and sick leave.
• Holidays and telework options.
• Life insurance and health benefits.
• Participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System.