Litigation Paralegal / Legal Assistant IV Supporting the US Attorney's Office

FSA Federal•Portland, OR

About The Position

FSA Federal is hiring a Paralegal/Legal Assistant IV to support the overall mission of the United States Attorney's Office (USAO), specifically its Asset Forfeiture Section. The section prosecutes criminal and civil actions against property used or acquired during illegal activity. The role supports judicial forfeiture proceedings, including case development, legal research, litigation preparation, settlement, and court proceedings.

Requirements

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 of paralegal experience; or a high school diploma/GED with at least four years of paralegal experience.
One year of automated litigation support experience, including knowledge of automated resources and technology used to develop, present, and prosecute federal cases.
Knowledge of legal research and analysis principles, concepts, and methods used for case development and documentation.
Excellent oral and written communication skills, including legal writing skills.
Strong organizational and prioritization skills, with the ability to work with minimal supervision.
Experience with Microsoft Office applications (Excel, PowerPoint, and Word) and other common software applications, including databases.
Commitment and expertise in providing excellent customer service; a positive and flexible approach; and the ability to multitask.
Ability to work in a team, deliver high-quality work, and maintain a professional disposition under extreme pressure.
U.S. citizenship and a minimum 7- or 10-year background investigation.

Nice To Haves

Trial experience.
Knowledge of forfeiture laws, policies, and procedures.

Responsibilities

Review investigative reports for probable cause, identify the need for additional information or evidence, and plan how to obtain it.
Review new and complex cases referred for judicial forfeiture proceedings, assessing case facts, litigation worthiness, applicable laws, and relevant case law.
Prepare pleadings, motions, proposed orders, legal memoranda, and briefs for forfeiture proceedings, settlement, dismissal, or completion of forfeiture.
Consult with forfeiture attorneys on case merits, likelihood of success, probable cause, strengths and weaknesses, and potential defenses.
Assist forfeiture attorneys with pretrial preparation.
Prepare, review, and organize discovery; notify, interview, prepare summaries of, and manage witnesses; and research case law.
Use databases and programs to produce data for reports, charts, graphs, and trial exhibits.
Compile, organize, and index evidentiary exhibits for court proceedings.
Use legal research tools, public information databases, and other resources to research specialized legal matters, including case law and slip opinions.
Participate in assigned areas of criminal or civil proceedings, such as electronic discovery.
Interview federal agents and other law enforcement officers about probable cause for forfeiture and the availability of evidence and witnesses.
Support attorneys in explaining the agency's legal position and proposed settlements to claimants and their attorneys.
Prepare documents for settlement or other dispositions and, when settlement is not reached, prepare pleadings to obtain default forfeiture decrees.
Prepare attorney summaries from deposition transcripts.
Assist third parties or lien holders seeking remission or mitigation of forfeiture.
Provide training to other paralegals as needed and, in some offices, supervise other employees.
Perform other duties as assigned.