Legal Assistant

Legal Assistant Employment Type: Full-Time, Entry Level Department: Legal As a CGS Legal Assistant, you will work under the direction of a Supervisory Paralegal or Project Supervisor. You will provide litigation and administrative support to a group of United States Attorneys. CGS brings motivated, highly skilled, and creative people together to solve the government’s most dynamic problems with cutting‑edge technology. To carry out our mission, we are seeking candidates who are excited to contribute to government innovation, appreciate collaboration, and can anticipate the needs of others. Here at CGS, we offer an environment in which our employees feel supported, and we encourage professional growth through various learning opportunities. Responsibilities Receive and review incoming material and independently determine 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, consider the nature and 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., transmittals 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, search database for required information. Obligate funds for litigation expenses and monitor for continued necessity. Review bills and invoices and submit to budget office for payment. Maintain calendar of assigned active cases. Track filing, hearing, and trial dates, and schedule conferences and interviews. Develop and maintain suspense system for ongoing cases and inform attorneys of pending dates and deadlines. Maintain calendar(s) of the attorney(s), scheduling appointments, interviews, and conferences, and provide 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 preparing 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. Ensure 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. Qualifications At least one year of specialized litigation experience required; however, over three years is preferred. Specialized experience 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. Benefits Health, Dental, and Vision Life Insurance 401(k) Flexible Spending Account (Health, Dependent Care, and Commuter) Paid Time Off and Observance of State/Federal Holidays Contact Government Services, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants will be considered without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. #J-18808-Ljbffr