Paralegal

Description

Job Description:

Leidos is seeking a Paralegal to work in Camp Springs, MD. You will work in a fast-paced and diverse environment and will have a management team that encourages your career development and growth.  Be part of a dynamic team in providing legal and technical services to support the Department of Justice and the United States Citizenship, and Immigration Services, Office of Chief Counsel (USCIS) with mandamus litigation, visa appeals, and complex/class action cases.  In this role, you will gain many intangible skills, such as time and task management, critical thinking and problem solving, the ability to communicate complicated problems in a concise manner, as well as solve complex problems using available tools.

Primary Responsibilities:

Works under the direction of a Project Manager, Project Supervisor, or Supervisory Paralegal.  Performs the following tasks while complying with established procedures:  compiles, prepares, and summarizes relevant materials for use by attorneys in discovery and in preparation of motions, briefs and other legal documents; summarizes depositions and other transcripts; maintains case files; performs simple legal research; indexes, tracks and controls document discovery (including documents produced and received in discovery); indexes, tracks and exhibits and other materials at depositions and at trial.  Prepares exhibit cross-references.  Assists attorneys in courtroom.  Reviews documents for relevance and privilege according to established guidelines and criteria. Other examples of the types of work to be performed include compilation of documents for FOIA, production requests, Congressional inquiries, etc. 

Additional tasks include the following:

Organize, update, and ensure completeness of individual litigation files Monitor attorney duty mailboxes to identify new litigation filings, record them in data management systems, and forward them to the appropriate parties as required Determine the status and location of the applications/petitions subject of case, whether the relevant cases are outside of processing time, and other factual details to determine the validity of facts as articulated in the complaint, perform all systems checks including, but not limited to, National Files Tracking System (NFTS), Computer Linked Application Information Management System (CLAIMS), Person Centric Query System (PCQS), Tableau. Review, monitor, provide legal research and ensure communication between the Department of Justice and USCIS for lawsuits previously determined to be non-defensible pursuant to OCC policy.  Paralegals will conduct all necessary research and correspondence between the DOJ and the USCIS operational client to see the case through to completion (final decision by judge or voluntary dismissal) and notify an OCC attorney if there are any legal issues with the adjudication of the case or any other problems Compile, prepare, and summarize relevant materials for use by attorneys in in preparation of status conferences, motions, briefs, and other legal documents. Use legal research tools such as LEXIS and Westlaw to perform basic legal research Use a variety of computer applications, including word processing, databases (such as document review and file management systems), spreadsheets, imaging, and hardware systems Make periodic updates to the system to ensure the status of the case is updated including the name of the attorney assigned, the next court deadline (for answers, motions, Responses) and the completion of the case including the court disposition Receive Records of Proceedings (ROPs) or Electronic Records of Proceedings (eROPs) from the USCIS operational client and update required electronic systems (including PMT and CLAIMS/NFTC etc.) to indicate receipt Review the ROPs for completeness and accuracy and return to the operational client for any necessary corrections Perform any necessary legal research and assist with draft a government brief in support of the underlying decision for OCC attorney signature Draft trend reports and narratives summarizing common issues that arise in visa petition appeals Summarize depositions and other transcripts for further case preparation. Index, track and control document discovery (including documents produced and received in discovery) Create indexes, and track exhibits and other materials in preparation for hearings. Prepare exhibit cross-references, and review documents for relevance and privilege according to established guidelines and criteria Compilation of documents for production requests in complex litigation that includes discovery Compile and prepare certified administrative records (CAR) for complex litigation, including APA and class action litigation

Basic Qualifications:

• Paralegal certificate, JD, or currently attending an ABA-accredited law school, having completed at least one year of study.  One year of legal training or legal experience or at least two years of college education may be substituted for the paralegal certificate.

• At least one year of litigation paralegal experience or project experience

• Basic legal knowledge, including knowledge of standard legal citation to cite check legal motions and memorandum and must have sufficient experience with legal research tools such as LEXIS and Westlaw to perform basic legal research.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills, thorough knowledge and hands-on familiarity with a variety of computer applications, including word processing, databases (such as document review and file management systems), spreadsheets, imaging, and hardware systems.

• Basic familiarity with ESI tools and knowledge of eDiscovery procedures and resources.

• Ability to consistently deliver highest quality work is important.

• US Citizen

• Ability to obtain a Public Trust.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Trial experience helpful

• Automated litigation support experience valued

• Prior experience working in a Federal Government environment

• Current Public Trust or higher security clearance

This position is covered under the Service Contract Act and is subject to minimum wage requirements as well as the minimum Health and Welfare benefit. Leidos will ensure that all provisions are met through their wages and benefits. The pay for this position will be $21.36/hr.

Leidos is growing! Connect with us on LinkedIn and Facebook.

We value and support the well-being and mobility of our employees with competitive benefit packages, complementary e-learning training, work-life flexibility, an exciting External Referral Program, and a diverse, inclusive and ethical work place. In fact, in 2022, Leidos was ranked as one of the “World's Most Ethical Companies” by the Ethisphere Institute for the third consecutive year.

MEGA

Pay Range:

Pay Range - -

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.