Paralegal​/Legal Assistant IV Supporting US Attorney's Office

Paralegal / Legal Assistant IV – United States Attorney's Office

Join FSA Federal (FSA) to support the overall mission of the United States Attorney's Office (USAO). This position offers a meaningful, mission‑driven career in law enforcement and homeland security.

• Review investigative reports for probable cause, determine need for additional information and evidence, and plan a comprehensive approach to obtain needed information and evidence; may provide Legal Clerk/Paralegal II review.
• Receive, examine, and evaluate new and complex cases referred for judicial forfeiture proceedings, determining case litigation worthiness, appropriate titles of law, and pertinent case law.
• Prepare legal pleadings to initiate judicial forfeiture proceedings and motions; draft papers and proposed orders to complete forfeiture, settlement, or dismissal; draft legal memoranda and briefs for the forfeiture attorney.
• Confere with the forfeiture attorney regarding the merits of potential forfeiture and the probability of success, considering strengths and weaknesses of probable cause and potential defenses.
• Assist the forfeiture attorney in pretrial preparations; prepare, review, and organize discovery; notify, interview, prepare summaries of, and manage witnesses; research case law.
• Use various databases and programs to extrapolate data for reports, charts, graphs, and trial exhibits; assist in preparing court proceedings by compiling, organizing, and indexing evidentiary exhibits.
• Utilize automated legal research tools, public information databases, and other resources to research specialized case or program‑specific legal matters, including case law and slip opinions; participate in assigned areas of criminal or civil proceedings, e.g., electronic discovery; interview federal agents and law‑enforcement officers regarding probable cause and evidence availability.
• Support the forfeiture attorney in influencing claimants and claimants’ attorneys regarding the accuracy of the agency’s legal position and the appropriateness of proposed settlement.
• Prepare appropriate documents for settlement or other disposition; if settlements cannot be agreed upon, prepare all necessary pleadings for the court to attain default decrees of forfeiture.
• Prepare summaries for attorneys using deposition transcripts.
• Assist third parties or lien holders seeking remission or mitigation of forfeiture.
• As necessary, provide training to other paralegals.
• In some offices, may be required to supervise other employees.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Paralegal Studies; or an undergraduate degree in another field with a Paralegal Certificate; or a Paralegal Certificate with at least two years’ paralegal experience; or a high school diploma/GED with at least four 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.
• Trial experience preferred.
• Knowledge of the principles, concepts, and methods of legal research and analysis to perform assigned case development and documentation assignments.
• Knowledge of forfeiture laws, policies, and procedures; trial experience preferred.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, including legal writing.
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills, and ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Experience with Microsoft Office suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word) and other common software applications, including databases.
• Proven commitment to excellent customer service; positive, flexible, and able to multi‑task.
• Ability to work in a team environment, deliver high‑quality work, and maintain a professional disposition under extreme pressure.

The United States Attorney's Office (USAO) serves as the nation's principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. The Asset Forfeiture Section at USAO prosecutes both criminal and civil actions against property used or acquired during…