Minimum EducationBachelor's degree or equivalent experience
Minimum Experience0
SummaryThe Paralegal's responsibility is to process requests filed under the Freedom of Information Act; to handle various aspects of litigation support and various litigation assignments, including legal research, cite checking and other technical aspects of brief preparation, coordination of witnesses, and database support; and to handle various aspects of the Board's Ethics Program.
Duties and Responsibilities- May process non-complex Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”) requests filed with the Board. Identifies and retrieves responsible records; analyzes and segregates the records for release to the public by applying the Act to disclosure of Board documents; drafts letters identifying the exemption which legally justify withholding of information under the Act; submits a monthly report to the manager of the FOIA office on the status of FOIA assignments.
- May participate in various aspects of pre-hearing and pre-trial preparation, including scheduling and coordinating witnesses. Assembles witness notebooks and witness files. Prepares indices of record for filing in U.S. Courts of Appeals. Maintains case files in pending litigation. Assists in preparing Tables of Authorities and Tables of Contents in briefs. Edits and proofreads briefs and other court papers. Cite checks briefs and other court papers using Blue Book format.
- Retrieves information using LEXIS/NEXIS, WESTLAW, and other sources. Obtains information from other agencies and courts.
- Redacts privileged and confidential information in Board documents for release pursuant to FOIA and litigation-based document production requests.
- May review and revise Board documents for publication in the Federal Register. Advises attorneys and other Board staff on drafting of amendatory language and publication requirements for regulatory documents. Serves as the Board’s alternate liaison with the Office of the Federal Register.
- May input information into document management databases. Assists in the creation of charts, graphs, and exhibits to be used at hearings and trials. Generates document production labels.
- May assist in case clean-up, cataloguing, and off-site shipment of documents in closed cases for Board’s off-site document storage in Suitland, Maryland.
- May perform non-complex legal research assignments under supervision of requesting attorney.
- May work with the Legal Division FOIA Group attorneys (“FOIA Group”), others in the Legal Division, and Information Technology (“IT”) Division staff by providing e-discovery support services, including setting up and carrying out searches of electronically stored information (such as email) and ensuring that all information is collected and maintained in a manner that preserves the forensic integrity of the information.
- Reviews documents or emails and other information gathered in e-discovery searches, makes appropriate responsiveness decisions and recommends redactions and, under the direction of senior staff, prepares the responsive information for production.
Qualifications: Requirements for FR-22: Successful candidate will have an undergraduate degree. Requires specialized knowledge of legal principles, concepts, and legal research methodology acquired through completion of an American Bar Association approved Legal Assistant (Paralegal) program or equivalent experience.
Requirements for FR-23: Successful candidate will have an undergraduate degree and a minimum of one year of related experience. Requires specialized knowledge of legal principles, concepts, and legal research methodology acquired through completion of an American Bar Association approved Legal Assistant (Paralegal) program or equivalent experience.
Requirements for FR-24: Successful candidate will have an undergraduate degree and a minimum of two years of related experience. Requires specialized knowledge of legal principles, concepts, and legal research methodology acquired through completion of an American Bar Association approved Legal Assistant (Paralegal) program or equivalent experience.
Requirements for FR-25: Successful candidate will have an undergraduate degree and a minimum of seven years of related experience. Requires specialized knowledge of legal principles, concepts, and legal research methodology acquired through completion of an American Bar Association approved Legal Assistant (Paralegal) program or equivalent experience.
Possesses a thorough knowledge of the processes and procedures for drafting, reviewing, and submitting notices, regulations, and related materials for publication, including in the Federal Register and the Code of Federal Regulations. Possesses a thorough knowledge of and the requisite skills for organizing and summarizing materials related to complex transactions filed with the Board and for managing and preparing banking applications and related documents for public release as directed. Requires analytical ability and strong oral and written communication skills and service orientation. Possesses a specialized knowledge of legal principles, concepts, and legal research methodology, including automated legal research techniques.
Remarks: At all FR levels:
· Successful candidate must demonstrate strong legal research and writing skills along with excellent communication and collaboration skills.
· Incumbent may review high volumes of documents that include email communications, calendars, policy or guidance memoranda, PowerPoint presentations, formal correspondence, and other types of documents for document production including compliance with section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (“section 508,” found at 29 U.S.C. 794(d)). Work involves assisting with the publication of regulations and other documents.
· Incumbent will also use the Board’s recordkeeping system and data management systems such as SharePoint (familiarity with SharePoint (on-premises and online) preferred).
· Incumbent will coordinate with other divisions within the Board as necessary to accomplish work.
· Incumbent must be “tech savvy,” and highly proficient with Word and Excel (including using formulas and creating pivot and other charts) and readily able to learn new systems.
· Performs other related duties as assigned.
· Irregular hours may be required, including some evening and weekend. High volume of work.
· This is a hybrid position located in Washington, D.C. with a weekly Wednesday on-site requirement and as business needs require.
About the Job The Paralegal will work in the Banking Regulations and Policy Group of the Board’s Legal Division. Will serve as the liaison to Federal Register staff and oversee the publication of regulations and related materials submitted by the Board or the FOMC for publication in the Federal Register, the Code of Federal Regulations, and the Board’s public website. The Paralegal also serves as primary contact for systems that manage the Board’s banking applications matters, including supporting the processing and publication of documents. The Paralegal uses initiative and resourcefulness in solving problems and in developing policies and procedures for the publication of documents and the processing of banking applications, as well as collaborating with Board staff and staff in state and federal banking regulatory agencies to facilitate the production and publication of documents. The Paralegal also manages and prepares public notice documents for banking applications matters, plans and organizes public Board meetings for banking applications-related matters, and coordinates the review of public comments (including preparation of comments for public posting and rendering comments compliant with section 508. The Paralegal collects, gathers, and summarizes banking applications-related precedent for reference by attorneys, including information from relevant state and federal agencies as well as self-regulatory organizations.
