Job Announcement

This is an exciting time to join the Fairfax Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, as the office embarks on an ambitious criminal justice reform agenda amidst the ongoing national conversation on race and the legacy of racism in the criminal justice system. After taking office in January 2020, Commonwealth’s Attorney Descano’s initiatives have included restructuring the office to produce accountability around reforms, issuing a comprehensive policy to address mass incarceration, and the formulation of a Justice Advisory Council, among others. His passion for reform and creating an atmosphere of diversity and fairness within the office has prompted the office to seek team members with a passion for criminal justice reform and working to address racial and socioeconomic disparities in the local justice system. The Office seeks to foster a culture of inclusion and diversity, with team members who are eager to take meaningful action to spearhead and institutionalize equity initiatives.

POSITION SUMMARY:
Performs a variety of paralegal task such as research court records, drafts legal memoranda, notices, motions, pleadings, discovery requests, and discovery responses and other legal documents. Specific duties include but are not limited to:

• Tracks cases, files pleadings, and sets docket matters down for hearing clerk's office to the extent permitted by the court rules, and prepares trial notebooks and exhibits.
• Assists attorneys in editing and redacting footage for evidence in cases.
• Tracks and analyzes data from the attorneys' cases by evaluating information received through the case management system.
• Performs legal and factual research, verifies all citations in legal memorandum and briefs and assists attorneys in identifying and locating case law.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of the methods, sources of information and materials of legal research;
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of substantive and procedural law;
• Knowledge of federal, state and administrative court procedures;
• Knowledge of County legal procedures and requirements related to basic legal work in a variety of areas such as local taxation, workers compensation, family services, real estate and the County's grievance procedure;
• Knowledge of systems and software technology to manage, track or organize information/data;
• Ability to perform legal review/research;
• Ability to use online legal research services and tools as well as the internet to perform legal review and research;
• Ability to interview witnesses and to assist attorneys in preparing witnesses for deposition or trial, exercising judgement in determining the relevance of information to be provided;
• Ability to compile and analyze data and create accurate and complete reports and charts;
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of individuals, including the general public, members of the legal and business community, and department staff;
• Ability to express oneself effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to work with short deadlines.

Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following: (Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for “Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to”)

Graduation from an accredited college or university with an Associate's degree in paralegal or legal assistance studies or closely related field; plus one year of experience as a paralegal or legal assistant.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:
Not applicable.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Knowledge of the court system.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft and computer technology.
• Ability to work in high-volume, fast-paced office environment.
• Notary public

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to the position must satisfactorily complete a criminal background check and credit check.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Duties are generally sedentary in nature, however, visual acuity is required to read data on computer monitor; ability to operate keyboard driven equipment. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview.

HOW TO APPLY:
Apply by sending the following information to jobs@pinnacle-ta.com.

• A thoughtful cover letter that explains why you are both interested and qualified; and
• Your resume

To assist with internal sorting, please only include "Paralegal" in the subject line and send in Microsoft Word format.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or status as a veteran in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact 703-324-4900 for assistance. TTY 703-222-7314. EEO/AA/TTY