Job detail
Paralegal
The Midtown Group
Washington, Washington DC, United States
Job description
Paralegal Specialist
Federal Government Agency (Contract Position)
Location: Southwest Washington, DC
Schedule: Full-Time, Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM-5:00 PM
Work Arrangement: Primarily onsite at a Federal Government Agency in SW Washington, DC. Limited telework may be permitted based on agency requirements.
Contract Duration: 1-3 Year Contract with Potential for Extension
Position Overview
A Federal Government Agency is seeking a highly qualified Paralegal Specialist to provide legal and administrative support related to federal appeals, case management, legal research, records preparation, and litigation support activities. The selected candidate will support the processing and management of administrative appeals and court-related matters, ensuring compliance with established federal regulations, procedures, and deadlines.
This position requires exceptional organizational skills, attention to detail, experience handling sensitive and confidential information, and the ability to work independently in a fast-paced federal environment.
Minimum Qualifications
Candidates must meet one of the following requirements:
Education
- Master's degree or equivalent graduate degree; OR
- Two (2) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree; OR
- LL.B. or J.D. degree.
Experience Substitution
In lieu of the education requirement above, candidates may qualify with:
- At least one (1) year of specialized experience conducting independent legal research;
- Preparing and reviewing legal documents, briefs, memoranda, and correspondence;
- Analyzing legal records and documentation; and
- Utilizing multiple legal research resources and databases to research laws, regulations, and legal precedents.
Key Responsibilities
Legal and Case Management Support
- Prepare certified administrative records for submission to U.S. Federal Courts and U.S. District Courts.
- Review and screen claim files for completeness, jurisdictional requirements, and procedural compliance.
- Docket new appeals and case actions within agency electronic case management systems.
- Obtain Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) claim files from contractors and secure electronic repositories.
- Retrieve, organize, and maintain electronic case records and supporting documentation.
- Convert legal documents and final agency actions into PDF format utilizing Adobe Acrobat Pro.
- Upload and maintain records within agency case management and e-filing systems.
- Conduct legal and factual research in support of case processing activities.
- Draft legal correspondence, memoranda, interim letters, and administrative documents.
- Perform additional paralegal and litigation support duties as assigned by the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR).
Appeals Processing
- Conduct initial screening of appeals within established agency timeframes.
- Identify and resolve deficiencies in claim files by requesting missing documentation and records.
- Track and monitor case status updates and required follow-up actions.
- Prepare corrective correspondence related to case processing issues.
- Ensure all supporting documentation is accurately uploaded and maintained within designated electronic filing systems.
- Archive and maintain records of closed cases and final decisions in accordance with agency procedures.
Mail Processing and Records Management
- Process incoming appeal requests, legal correspondence, and case-related mail.
- Open, scan, index, and log incoming mail within required timeframes.
- Maintain accurate records of correspondence and case submissions.
- Prepare acknowledgment letters and docketing documentation for newly received appeals.
- Update case management systems to reflect receipt of claim files and supporting documentation.
- Verify and update case information, locations, and tracking data within agency systems.
Distribution of Decisions and Official Correspondence
- Prepare final decisions, orders, notices, and correspondence for distribution.
- Ensure timely mailing and release of agency decisions in accordance with established procedures.
- Upload all issued documents to the appropriate electronic case files.
- Maintain quality control standards for outgoing legal correspondence and records.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Knowledge of federal legal procedures, administrative law, and litigation support practices.
- Experience reviewing and analyzing legal records and administrative files.
- Strong legal research and writing skills.
- Proficiency with Adobe Acrobat Pro and Microsoft Office Suite.
- Experience working with electronic case management and e-filing systems.
- Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills.
- Ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities simultaneously.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information in accordance with federal requirements.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience supporting federal government legal, regulatory, or administrative appeals programs.
- Familiarity with federal court filings and administrative records preparation.
- Experience working within healthcare, benefits, or administrative appeals environments.
- Previous experience supporting federal agencies, boards, commissions, or legal offices.
Security Requirements
- Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
- Ability to successfully pass any required federal background investigation and security screening.
- Must comply with all federal agency security and confidentiality requirements