Legal Assistant II

Legal Assistant II
ROLE
We need an experienced Legal Assistant at the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Missouri (USAO-WDMO), based in Springfield, MO. The USAO-WDMO prosecutes federal criminal cases, handles civil litigation involving the United States, and collects debts owed to the federal government. In this role, you will examine, prepare, and process complex and time-sensitive legal documents including complaints, motions, pleadings, warrants, and subpoenas; assist with trial preparation by compiling trial notebooks and assembling exhibit and witness lists; manage case dockets and AUSA calendars to track filing deadlines and court appearances; and draft correspondence requiring knowledge of legal procedures and terminology. This is a full-time opportunity. We can offer a competitive salary, and a comprehensive benefits package.
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RESPONSIBILITIES

• Examines, prepares, and processes a variety of technical legal documents that are voluminous, complex, and time sensitive
• Reviews incoming materials and independently determines the appropriate assembly and preparation of legal documents, including complaints, motions, pleadings, orders, answers, subpoenas, warrants, and other litigation-related filings
• Obtains information from case files, law enforcement agencies, courts, and other authorized sources to prepare complete legal documents for AUSA review or direct submission to the court
• Analyzes the nature and status of assigned cases to ensure legal documents are prepared accurately and in accordance with procedural requirements
• Prepares recurring legal documents with minimal supervision, including indictments, complaints, motions, search warrants, seizure warrants, judgments, garnishments, applications, notices, affidavits, summonses, subpoenas, orders to show cause, satisfactions of judgment, and proofs of claim
• Assists with trial preparation by compiling trial notebooks, organizing case materials, preparing jury instructions, and assembling witness and exhibit lists
• Assembles exhibits, affidavits, evidentiary materials, and supporting documentation for hearings, trials, and other legal proceedings
• Utilizes legal research tools and online legal databases to verify citations, statutory references, and case authorities
• Prepares tables of contents, indices, and citation tables for legal briefs and other court filings
• Drafts original correspondence requiring knowledge of legal procedures and terminology, including transmittal letters, extension requests, case status notifications, and notices to defense attorneys
• Responds to inquiries from visitors, attorneys, court personnel, law enforcement, and the public regarding pending and closed matters
• Performs case docketing functions by opening, updating, monitoring, and closing cases using automated case management systems
• Maintains accurate case records and conducts database searches to retrieve case information
• Tracks filing deadlines, hearings, trials, scheduling conferences, depositions, and other litigation milestones
• Develops and maintains a calendaring and suspense system to monitor deadlines and inform AUSAs of upcoming court appearances
• Manages AUSA calendars by scheduling appointments, meetings, interviews, and conferences

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of two (2) years of experience in a professional legal environment
• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe Acrobat Professional
• Ability to integrate content from multiple software applications, including tables, charts, and graphs from databases and spreadsheets, into word processing or desktop publishing documents
• Proficiency in word processing, document management and review, file management systems, and data entry
• Proficiency in standard office equipment and technology, including computers, multifunction printers/copiers, and scanners
• Strong organizational, time management, and multitasking skills, with the ability to prioritize assignments and meet deadlines

EDUCATION

• High School Diploma – required; Undergraduate degree – preferred

LOCATION

• U.S. Attorney's Office, Springfield, MO 65806

CLEARANCE

• Must be able to pass a Department of Justice background investigation
• Must be a US Citizen

CLIENT

• U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Missouri

HOURS

• 40 hours per week
• 8 hours per day

EMPLOYMENT CLASSIFICATION

• Employment Classification Eligibility – W2

RELOCATION

• Not eligible for relocation benefits

COMPENSATION

• Base Hourly Wage: $28.72 per hour
• Health & Welfare (Benefits rate): $5.09 per hour
• Total Hourly Compensation: $33.81 per hour
• Benefits: Health & Welfare benefits contribution as required under the Service Contract Act (SCA); Benefits package includes options for health, dental and vision insurance coverage

West 4 th Strategy is an Equal Opportunity (EEO) employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, gender, sexual orientation, ancestry, national origin, age, marital status, mental disability, physical disability, medical condition, pregnancy, political affiliation, military or veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by federal or state law.

Other Considerations:  This position is W-2 only; no Corp-to-Corp or 1099 candidates. Relocation will not be offered. This position requires access to Department of Justice facilities and systems. As a condition of employment, selected candidates must complete and receive favorable adjudication from a federal government background investigation as required by the U.S. Department of Justice. Individual’s primary workstation is located in an office area. The noise level in this environment is low to moderate. Regularly required to sit for extended periods up to 80% of the time; frequently required to move about to access file cabinets and use office equipment such as PC, copier, fax, telephone, cell phone, etc. Occasionally required to reach overhead, bend, and lift objects of up to 10 lbs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include the use of computer monitor screens up to 80% of the time.