Legal Assistant

Summary

Join CGS as a Legal Assistant and provide comprehensive support to United States Attorneys. Working under the direction of a Supervisory Paralegal or Project Supervisor, you will handle various litigation and administrative tasks. Responsibilities include preparing legal documents, electronic filing, trial preparation, and managing case files. You will also perform office support functions, such as docketing, budget management, and scheduling. The ideal candidate possesses at least one year of specialized litigation experience, excellent communication skills, and proficiency in various software applications. CGS offers a supportive environment and opportunities for professional growth, along with a comprehensive benefits package.

Requirements

• At least one year of specialized litigation experience required, however over three years is preferred
• Specialized experience is defined as experience reviewing legal documents such as complaints, motions, orders, answers, pleadings, subpoenas, and libels for completeness of information; retrieving and assembling information for hearing and/or trial use, researching a variety of legal sources to obtain and/or verify information; maintaining file systems; and using automated software to produce legal related reports, documents, correspondence and related materials
• Requires excellent written and oral communication skills
• Should have hands-on familiarity with a variety of computer applications, such as MS Word, MS Excel, MS Outlook, and Adobe Acrobat
• Ability to consistently deliver highest quality work under extreme pressure will be very important
• Ability to obtain a Public Trust Security Clearance

Responsibilities

• Receive and review incoming material and independently determines the need for assembly and preparation of a variety of legal documents, e.g., charging instruments, motions, orders, pleadings, deposition notices, trial subpoenas and grand jury subpoenas. In preparation of documents, considers the nature and the status of the case involved
• Proofread and edit drafts of legal documents such as motions, orders, correspondence, discovery requests and responses, and other pleadings. Complete variable aspects of preparing recurring legal documents that conform to the rules governing their style and format
• Electronically file documents on behalf of and at the directive of the attorneys with the appropriate state or federal court, applying knowledge of local court rules and practices
• Provide assistance with trial preparation by performing duties such as independently compiling trial notebooks and witness and exhibit lists
• Prepare and track grand jury subpoenas and returns. Aid in processing and organizing legal data and other supportive material. Organize, process and copy documents in accordance with requirements. Assemble record materials for court filings
• Compose 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
• Perform docketing duties such as opening, updating and closing cases through use of the automated case tracking system. As necessary, searches database for required information
• Obligate funds for litigation expenses and monitors for continued necessity
• Review bills and invoices and submits to budget office for payment
• Maintain calendar of assigned active cases. Track filing, hearing, and trial dates, and scheduling conferences and interviews. Develop and maintain suspense system for ongoing cases and informs the attorneys of pending dates and deadlines. Maintain calendar(s) of the attorney(s), scheduling appointments, interviews, and conferences, and provides reminders of commitments and court appearances
• Assemble the physical files and electronic files for new cases by filing materials in chronological order, preparing and printing conflict of interest sheets for assigned attorneys, and numbering the initial case materials and discovery. Upon receipt, send additional discovery to outside parties as directed by the assigned attorney
• Prepare files for closing by putting the documents in chronological order, ensuring that the relevant documents are in the file, and prepare a closing sheet for the assigned attorney’s signature
• Receive visitors, answer telephone and refer callers to staff members or take messages as appropriate. Deliver to and retrieve papers from the federal courthouse. Furnish requested information concerning pending and closed matters and cases, functions and general procedures of the office. Determine which matters should be referred to the AUSA and the urgency of the matter
• Attend meetings and trainings as may be required and appropriate
• Produce 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, 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 appropriate, provide automated litigation assistance to attorneys in trial preparation and courtroom presentations, including transcribing dictation. Utilize various software applications and graphics hardware such as scanners and plotters. Prepare documents, charts, and visual materials used in trials. Provide technical support e.g., enlarging charts and photographs, duplicating tapes and videos, and marking exhibits
• Perform other related duties as assigned

Benefits

• Health, Dental, and Vision
• Life Insurance
• 401k
• Flexible Spending Account (Health, Dependent Care, and Commuter)
• Paid Time Off and Observance of State/Federal Holidays