Paralegal (Independent Contractor / 1099)

About Rikka and the Opportunity

Rikka Law PLLC is a strategic law firm and federal contractor specializing in legal staffing, administrative support, and professional services for government clients. We hold a GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) contract under SIN 541110 and are a certified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) and Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB).

We are currently hiring for two (2) distinct federal contract opportunities. Please read both role descriptions carefully. When submitting your CV, please include your preferred location at the top of your CV (Washington, DC or San Antonio, TX).

OPPORTUNITY 1: Paralegal Specialist

Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Departmental Appeals Board

Location:  Washington, DC 20201 (on-site; limited telework subject to government approval)

Openings: 8 positions

Compensation: $30.00/hr (1099 independent contractor)

Schedule:  Full-time, Monday–Friday, standard business hours

Term: 12-month base period; potential to extend up to 36 months total

About the Role

We are seeking experienced Paralegal Specialists to provide administrative and paralegal support to HHS's Departmental Appeals Board — the federal body that handles Medicare appeals and related administrative proceedings. In this role, you will prepare certified administrative records for the U.S. Federal Court and U.S. District Court and support the core operational work of the DAB Administration Division. The work is detail-oriented, deadline-driven, and involves handling sensitive Medicare case files and Privacy Act-protected records.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare certified administrative records for U.S. Federal Court and U.S. District Court.
• Screen Medicare appeal claim files for completeness, proper jurisdiction, and other designated elements.
• Docket new appeals in the electronic case filing system (DABACTS) and/or e-Filing system.
• Obtain Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) claim files from HHS contractors and retrieve electronic ALJ files from secure servers, including downloading Medicare Appeals files.
• Convert final action documents to PDF using Adobe Pro and upload to DABACTS and/or e-Filing system.
• Conduct initial screening of Medicare appeals within seven (7) working days of assignment.
• Cure claim file defects by requesting missing ALJ hearing files and decisions within seven (7) working days; upload received items on the same day of receipt.
• Prepare interim letters to cure case-processing errors within seven (7) working days of assignment and upload with the correct event recorded.
• Save copies of issued Council decisions to the designated shared drive.
• Process incoming mail: open, scan, and log appeal requests and correspondence in DABACTS within two (2) business days; complete docketing; prepare Acknowledgment Letters; and update the case system to reflect receipt of claim files.
• Prepare and mail final decisions, orders, and letters within prescribed timeframes; upload all issued documents to the related case file.
• Perform other paralegal duties as assigned by the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR).

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants must meet either the education requirement or the experience requirement below:

Education: A master's or equivalent graduate degree; or two (2) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree; or an LL.B. or J.D.; OR

Experience (in lieu of education): At least one (1) year of specialized experience conducting independent legal research; preparing and reviewing legal documents, briefings, and memoranda; analyzing legal documents; and using a variety of sources to research various laws.

Preferred Skills

• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Adobe Pro.
• Experience with DABACTS, electronic case management, or e-filing systems.
• Background in Medicare, healthcare administrative appeals, or federal administrative law.
• Strong written and oral communication skills with close attention to detail.
• Ability to manage strict deadlines and handle confidential information responsibly.

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OPPORTUNITY 2: Senior Paralegal (Litigation Support)

Agency: U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) USAO Western District of Texas

Location: San Antonio, TX (on-site; off-site work subject to written government approval)

Openings: 6 positions

Compensation: $TBF (1099 independent contractor)

Schedule:  Full-time, Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM Central Time

Term:  Base year (September 2026–September 2027) plus two one-year option periods

About the Role

We are seeking experienced Senior Paralegals to provide professional litigation support services to a federal law enforcement office in San Antonio, Texas. This role supports active civil litigation and requires strong independent judgment, legal research skills, and the ability to manage complex case files under attorney supervision.

Key Resposnibilities

• Assist attorneys conducting witness interviews and prepare records of those interviews for use at deposition; identify yourself as a contractor during all phone and in-person interviews.
• Review title commitments for accuracy and create deed history summaries.
• Prepare Declarations of Taking Reports, Amended Declarations of Taking (ADT) Reports, Complaints, Notices of Joint Motions to Close, and Motions to Suppress.
• Summarize depositions and other transcripts; maintain case files; control exhibits and other materials at depositions and at trial.
• Document landowner complaints and responses in monthly reports.
• Support and assist attorneys in the courtroom by preparing exhibit cross-references and screening documents for relevance and privilege according to established guidelines.
• Identify types of record-keeping systems and records that would be relevant to assigned cases; gather, sort, and interpret data from various record systems including computer information systems.
• Develop statistics and tabulations such as standard deviations, regression analyses, and weighting; prepare charts, graphs, and tables to support case litigation.
• Design and develop systems and procedures for tracking, controlling, and managing case files, exhibits, and other case-specific materials.
• Perform other related duties as assigned and within scope.

Minimum Qualifications

• Two (2)-year degree in Paralegal Studies, Legal Studies, Criminal Justice, Business Administration, English/Journalism, or related field; OR high school diploma/equivalent plus a Paralegal Certificate.
• Minimum three (3) years of experience providing legal support, including independently drafting correspondence, pleadings, motions, and proposed orders.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook).
• U.S. Citizenship and ability to obtain adjudication for the requisite federal background investigation.

Preferred Qualifications

Legal experience in real estate, mineral interests, and/or oil and gas matters.

Important Information for All Applicants

Independent Contractor Status

Both positions are independent contractor (1099) opportunities. Selected individuals will be engaged as contractors, not employees, and will be responsible for their own federal, state, and self-employment taxes. No employee benefits (e.g., health insurance, paid leave, retirement) are provided unless separately agreed in writing.

Federal Background Investigation

All positions require the successful completion of a federal background investigation and credentialing process prior to starting work. The government reserves the right to suspend or withdraw access at any time.

Privacy Act

All contractors must safeguard confidential and personally identifiable information and use it only as authorized. Unauthorized disclosure may result in fines and/or criminal penalties.

Equal Opportunity

Applicants are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected status.

HOW TO APPLY: To apply, submit your CV through this posting. Please indicate your preferred location (Washington, DC or San Antonio, TX) at the top of your CV . Where applicable, include transcripts or proof of degree. Selected applicants must be able to complete required federal credentialing forms and pass the required background investigation. For any questions, please reach out to us at View email address on click.appcast.io.