Litigation Paralegal (USAO - Boston)

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

This position provides litigation paralegal support to our customer, the Asset Recovery Unit in the Civil Division of the United States Attorney's Office (USAO), located in Boston, MA. The office prosecutes crime, pursues affirmative civil remedies, defends the United States, and generally represents the government's interests in litigation matters.

Job Tasks and Function:

• Establish and maintain files and case-tracking database to include:
  • Receive newly opened case files and take necessary measures to notify the proper client agency of service and to obtain litigation reports and/or other needed case information
  • As directed, establish and update database to track receipt of cases, upcoming deadlines, and other case information
  • Keep attorneys and appropriate staff members informed of the status of cases
  • Monitor the progress of pending cases and initiates action to ensure that established deadlines are met
  • Physically maintain case files and case-related material in current status within established filing systems and in accordance with office procedures
  • Developing proficiency in Department mandated debt collection tracking programs
• Perform document reviews and assist in asset recovery to include:
  • Conducting interviews of debtors, employers, and agency officials
  • Preparing and maintaining a variety of trial-related documents
  • Making decisions for debt compromise, write-off, and referral of claims
  • Investigating and enforcing criminal judgment and commitment orders
  • Serving as a contact person for Financial Litigation cases
  • Working collaboratively with Department/Office components and other partners to maximize collection
• Prepare a variety of legal documents, correspondence, and other related material to include:
  • Prepare a variety of substantive legal documents in subject areas such as, but not limited to, the forfeiture, collection, bankruptcy, and social security. Typical documents include motions, legal memoranda, declarations, certificates of service, proposed orders, deposition notices, and other legal documents; repetitive/routine documents are consistently prepared independently and submitted for Assistant U.S. Attorney ("AUSA") review and approval prior to filing /issuance
  • Compose original correspondence that does not require legal interpretations, but does require a good working knowledge of legal procedures and specialized terminology, such as transmittal of pleadings, requests for extensions of time, status updates to client agencies and notices
  • Documents are completed in a timely manner, presented for signature in the proper format, and are normally signed by the assigned AUSA as prepared
  • Documents are carefully proofread before submission to the approving official
  • Documents are infrequently returned for editorial changes and are rarely returned for spelling, formatting, or grammatical errors
• Provide a variety of direct legal support services, which typically include:
  • Perform basic legal research and summarize accurately the authorities found
  • Use a variety of automated legal research tools including public information databases to research to obtain relevant case/matter related information
  • Verify citations and statutory references contained in legal documents ensuring that citations are correct (Blue Book), complete, and consistent with the source material
  • Maintain calendars as directed, assemble exhibits, schedules witnesses and conferences, answers outside inquiries not requiring legal interpretations, and refer other questions to appropriate office members
  • Exercise judgment and discretion in determining the information provided to telephonic inquiries and visitors
  • Maintain professional working relationships with agency counsel, opposing parties, members of the public, and office staff ensuring that client agencies are kept informed of the current status of assigned cases
  • As required, processes debt collection claims.
• Provide assistance that is dependable and effective in dealings with courts, clients, and coworkers (including supervisors and support staff) to include:
  • Performance of assigned tasks with appropriate supervision including special projects and assignments
  • Performance of tasks requiring interaction, oral and written, with courts, clients, co-workers, and others in a diplomatic, cooperative, considerate, courteous, professional, and timely manner
  • Preparation of well-written work products using a variety of computer software programs and applications, including word processing, databases, and spreadsheets
  • Completion of high-quality work under pressure and competing deadlines

Requirements/Skills:

• Possesses a paralegal certificate or experience approved by the Contracting Officer
• At least one year of legal experience is required
• Knowledge of standard legal citation systems sufficient to perform straightforward legal research and accurately cite check legal authorities
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and analytical abilities
• Familiarity with a variety of computer applications, specifically the Microsoft suite (word, excel,
  etc.)
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust Security Access
• Ability to proofread documents and format them to accepted legal standards
• Experience and familiarity with the drafting, organization, and filing of legal pleadings and correspondence
• Ability to work in a deadline-driven, fast-paced environment and work overtime on short notice

This document is not intended to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of all job-related activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Due to the nature of the industry, job tasks may be changed as necessary to meet the needs of the customer.

AMTIS Inc. is an equal opportunity employer providing equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.