Description
The Law Clerk I works under the direction of a Project Supervisor or Project Manager and performs litigation support duties for the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) in Washington, DC.
The role involves:
- Intake and Review of Claims: receiving and reviewing complex or time-sensitive claims for completeness and jurisdiction; determining claimants' eligibility under applicable statutes, regulations, and program guidance; and identifying missing documentation and requesting additional evidence.
- Evidence Development: gathering medical records, exposure documentation, and other relevant materials; communicating with claimants, representatives, medical providers, and other agencies to seek clarification and/or additional information; and ensuring the administrative record is complete.
- Legal and Regulatory Analysis: applying governing laws, regulations, policies, and precedents to the facts of the claim; researching and evaluating statutory criteria such as causation, exposure thresholds, timelines, and eligibility requirements; and interpreting medical and technical evidence in conjunction with established program standards.
- Medical and Technical Evaluation: reviewing medical records and reports; identifying when medical or scientific consultation is required and contacting appropriate professionals to facilitate it; and assessing causation and compensability based on program criteria.
- Maintaining organised case files and tracking systems; coordinating with other RECA Program legal support staff to manage expedient claim review within statutory timeframes; and drafting letters, memoranda, decisions, and case development logs to document timely development of administrative claims.
- Appeals and Reconsideration: reviewing requests for reconsideration or appeals; preparing case files and memoranda for review bodies or adjudicative authorities; and implementing final decisions.
- Performing ancillary duties, including maintenance of records, returning calls from applicants, and other administrative tasks as assigned.
Please note: a legal writing sample will be required
Basic Qualifications:
- Law degree, or currently attending an ABA-accredited law school, having completed at least one (1) year of study or, six (6) years of legal training or experience may be substituted.
- Sound working knowledge of federal and state court systems, legal research procedures, and legal research resources.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills and thorough knowledge of legal research tools such as LEXIS and Westlaw.
- Hands-on familiarity with a variety of computer applications, including word processing, databases (such as document review and file management systems), spreadsheets, and imaging.
- Hands-on familiarity with ESI tools and knowledge of eDiscovery procedures and resources.
- Ability to consistently deliver highest quality work under extreme pressure.
- Must be a U.S. Citizen and able to obtain a Public Trust clearance.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Law Degree (JD)
- Excellent legal writing skills
- Experience working in a Government and/or Litigation Support environment in conjunction with basic qualifications, preferred.
- Experience handling large volume of cases or claims, strongly preferred.
- Current or active clearance.
The pay for this position will be $38.77/hr.