Associate General Counsel & Paralegal

Na Ali'i Consulting & Sales, LLC. • Arlington, VA

18h • $140,000 - $155,000

About The Position

Nakupuna Consulting is seeking an Associate General Counsel / Paralegal to provide professional services to the Afghanistan War Commission. Established as an independent commission in the legislative branch, the Commission is conducting a comprehensive study of U.S. involvement in Afghanistan from June 1, 2001, through August 30, 2021. Its work examines strategic, diplomatic, military, intelligence, and reconstruction decisions, with a final report planned for August 2027.

The position supports the Commission’s legal work and management of its records, including review and organization of interview records, classified and sensitive materials, declassification requests, and preparation of permanent records for transfer to the National Archives and Records Administration. The role also supports the General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel with legal research and operational matters needed to fulfill the Commission’s statutory mandate and complete its orderly closeout.

Requirements

• Associate General Counsel candidates must have a J.D. from an accredited law school, be in good standing with a U.S. state bar, and have at least one to three years of post-J.D. legal experience.
• Paralegal candidates must have at least one to three years of relevant paralegal, legal support, document-management, records-management, or comparable professional experience.
• A current Top Secret/SCI security clearance, or a clearance held within the preceding six months, is required.
• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Strong organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail, including the ability to manage and accurately track large volumes of information and concurrent assignments.
• Sound judgment and the ability to appropriately handle classified, sensitive, or confidential information.
• Ability to take ownership of assignments, identify issues requiring attention, follow tasks through to completion, and reliably meet deadlines.
• Ability to work collaboratively on a small team in a fast-paced environment, respond constructively to changing priorities, and assist where needed.
• Ability to perform repetitive motions with the hands, wrists, and fingers.
• Ability to engage in and follow audible communications in emergency situations.
• Ability to sit for prolonged periods at a desk and work on a computer.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in Congress, an executive branch department or agency, a commission, a law firm, or another organization handling government, classified, or sensitive records.
• More senior paralegal candidates will also be considered.

Responsibilities

• Review Commission interview transcripts and related materials for accuracy, completeness, classification and sensitivity concerns, and legal or records-management issues; help maintain and organize interview records.
• Assist the General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel in identifying classified information proposed for the final report and preparing declassification and release requests, including drafting supporting rationales and tracking requests through resolution.
• Help identify, organize, and prepare permanent Commission records for transfer to the National Archives and Records Administration, coordinating with personnel to ensure records are complete and ready for transfer.
• Help develop a record compendium and organizational structure so future researchers and authorized users can understand, locate, and use Commission records.
• Assist with managing and accounting for documents and other materials provided by executive branch departments and agencies, including classified and sensitive records, and support their return, transfer, or other disposition at closeout.
• Maintain accurate systems for organizing, tracking, locating, and accounting for Commission records, and promote consistent document-management practices.
• Assist the General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel with legal research, memoranda, correspondence, document requests, interviews, executive branch coordination, ethics and personnel matters, and other legal or operational issues.
• Support the Office of General Counsel and Commission personnel with legal, records-management, and administrative requirements necessary to complete the Commission’s mandate and orderly closeout.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level