The Office of the Federal Public Defender for the Eastern District of Virginia's (EDVA) mission is to provide the highest-quality legal representation in the Eastern District of Virginia through the zealous representation of our clients, professionalism in our dealings with the court and the public, leadership in the bar, and compassion and understanding for all those involved in the criminal justice system.

Duties

The paralegal position provides support to staff attorneys. General duties include obtaining legal, medical, and educational records, assisting with case preparation and file management, managing, reviewing, and summarizing discovery, drafting legal correspondence, assisting attorneys at hearings and trials, meeting with clients and their families, litigation support, and preparing jury instructions. Paralegals also assist defense teams by cultivating positive relationships with clients and their families, researching client-specific mental health treatments and programs, and developing client social histories. FD grade and step levels of compensation match those of GS grade and step levels, including locality pay. Responsibilities Performs legal research utilizing all available resources including computer-assisted legal research tools. Drafts legal pleadings including motions, requests for jury voir dire and jury instructions. Ensures completeness of documents and conformity with pertinent laws, rules, regulations, precedents, policies and office requirements. Assists in all aspects of case preparation. Prepares and reviews cases in accordance with applicable laws, rules, regulations, precedents, policies, office practices and established procedures. Analyzes interrelated and disputed facts. Identifies legal issues and questions, interprets rules and principles, and recommends actions. Initiates new areas for investigation. Submits written reports as needed. Assists the attorney at hearings and trials by evaluating testimony, coordinating witnesses and documents. Supervises service of subpoenas and notification of witnesses. Assists Assistant Federal Defenders with client contact. Informs clients of case status, court appearances and answers general inquiries according to office policy. Interviews expert and fact witnesses and coordinates testimony. Collects, organizes and evaluates evidence and exhibits. Assists with bail applications and bond hearings. Develops and manages pre-trial and post-conviction client placement as an alternative to incarceration. Compiles and maintains digests and indexes of substantive information on statutes, treaties, regulations and related subject matter. Analyzes legal decisions, opinions, rulings, memoranda and related legal materials and prepares digests and indexes of same. Compiles and summarizes substantive information on statutes, treaties and specific legal subjects. Develops and maintains banks of substantive motions, briefs, and jury instructions. Assists other staff members with information retrieval from these sources. Participates in case management functions and control systems such as conflicts checking, calendar and docket control. Ensures completeness and accuracy of these case control tools.

Requirements

Qualifications

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. Minimum qualifications for this position are: 1) 3 years of experience in a legal setting or the equivalent; 2) A high level of proficiency with MS Office (Word, PowerPoint) and Adobe Acrobat; 3) experience with litigation support software. The successful applicant will have a working knowledge of law office operations, legal practices, methods and techniques, and an understanding of criminal law, criminal procedure and evidence. Experience in federal criminal law, with trial support duties, is preferred. Graduate level education from an accredited institution may substitute for experience. The physical demands of the position are those required to successfully perform the duties described above. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions. The paralegal will spend most of their time in an office environment. The individual must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Travel will be necessary and a valid driver's license is required. EDUCATION Candidates must possess a high school diploma or equivalent. REQUIRED EXPERIENCE General Experience Experience that provides evidence the individual has: a general understanding of the methods and skills required for accomplishing the tasks outlined in the Primary Job Duties section above; a general understanding of office confidentiality issues, such as attorney/client privilege; the ability to read, analyze and interpret common technical journals and legal documents; the ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral or diagram form; the ability to analyze and apply relevant policies and procedures to office operations; the ability to exercise good judgment in a mature and diplomatic manner; the ability to communicate orally and in writing; a general knowledge of office practices and legal processes; the ability to recognize and analyze problems and recommend practical solutions; and the ability to use a personal computer. Specialized Experience Progressively responsible experience in the functional areas described in the Primary Job Duties section above. Such experience provides the individual: a comprehensive knowledge of investigative principles, practices, methods and techniques, mental health issues, and capital legal system; the ability to identify and evaluate pertinent facts and regulations, policies and precedents; skill and judgment in the analysis of cases and legal opinions; understanding of criminal law, criminal procedure, and evidence; experience as a paralegal performing progressively responsible paralegal duties; and the skills and ability to execute the duties of the position. FD-11/01 ($82,764 - $107,590): At a minimum, candidates must possess three years of general experience and three years of specialized experience. FD-12/01 ($99,200 - $128,956): At a minimum, candidates must possess three years of general experience and four years of specialized experience. FD-13/01 ($117,962 - $153,354): At a minimum, candidates must possess three years of general experience and five years of specialized experience. FD-14/01 ($139,395 - $181,216): At a minimum, candidates must possess three years of general experience and six years of specialized experience. EDUCATIONAL SUBSTITUTIONS Education above the high school level in accredited institutions may be substituted for the general experience on the basis of one academic year (30 semester or 45 quarter hours) equals nine months of experience. Completion of all the requirements for a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and having met one of the following may be substituted for one year of specialized experience: An overall "B" grade point average equaling 2.9 or better of a possible 4.0. Standing in the upper third of the class. A "B+" (3.5) grade point average or better in major fields of study such as business or public administration, accounting, personnel management, information systems, legal management, or specialized or significant course work in a field closely related to the subject matter of this position. Election to membership in Phi Beta Kappa, Sigma XI, or one of the National Honor Scholastic Societies meeting the minimum requirements of the Association of College Honor Societies, other than Freshman Honor Societies. Completion of one academic year (18 semester hours) of graduate study in an accredited university in such fields as business or public administration, accounting, personnel management, legal management, or other field closely related to the subject matter of the position, may be substituted for one year of specialized experience. Completion of a master's degree or two years of graduate study (36 semester hours) in an accredited university in such fields as business or public administration, accounting, personnel management, legal management, or other field closely related to the subject matter of the position may be substituted for two years of specialized experience.

Education

Candidates must possess a high school diploma or equivalent. See "Qualifications" section for details regarding this position's specific grade/level requirements.

Contacts

• Address Office of the Federal Public Defender, Eastern District of Virginia 1650 King Street STE 500 Alexandria, VA 22314 US
• Name: Human Resources
• Email: [email protected]