U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) / Judicial Branch / Legal Assistance

Job-title file

Legal Assistance

Provide legal advice, draft and review documents, and represent the agency in legal matters.

19 employees hold this title in Judicial Branch. Median total compensation for the role is $90,730, below the department median of $121,785.

Employees: 19
Total payroll: $1.7M
Role median: $90,730
Agency median: $121,785
Comparison: Below

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

$70,333$108,010+

Hover a bar for its range; click to filter the list below.

How total compensation varies among the 19 people in this role. Even for one job title, pay differs with seniority, step, overtime, and tenure. Each bar is a pay range; the far-right bar collects the highest earners.

Compared with the local labor market

Legal Assistance pay vs. the United States

Across all employers in the United States, the median wage for Paralegals and Legal Assistants — about 392,880 people — is $62,890. Judicial Branch pays a median base salary of $90,730 for this role, 44% above that figure — about the 82nd percentile of local pay for the occupation.

Where Judicial Branch sits in the local pay range

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$44,740

$50,340

$62,890

$80,080

$101,500

Judicial Branch median · $90,730

The bar is the range of annual wages for Paralegals and Legal Assistants across every employer in the United States, from the 10th to the 90th percentile, with the middle 50% highlighted. The marker shows Judicial Branch’s median base salary for this role. Both figures are base pay only.

Median total compensation for this role at Judicial Branch is $90,730, which includes overtime and employer-paid benefits. The benchmark above excludes both, so total compensation is deliberately not compared against it.

Benchmark: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025). BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) covers all employers in the area — private, non-profit, and government alike — so this is a comparison against the whole local labor market for the occupation, not against private-sector pay. OEWS wages are straight-time pay and exclude overtime, shift differentials, and employer-paid benefits, so the government figure shown here is base pay on the same basis. Total compensation is not comparable to it. Job titles are matched to the closest standard occupation, so the comparison is between similar work rather than an identical job classification.

Compare departments

This role across U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense)

Legal Assistance is held in 34 U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) departments. In Judicial Branch, the median of $90,730 ranks #5 of 34.

Highest-paying departments for this role

Department of Treasury

$120,163 · 13

Office of the United States Trade Representative

$97,925 · 1

Securities and Exchange Commission

$96,380 · 6

National Transportation Safety Board

$91,815 · 1

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

$89,844 · 5

Federal Labor Relations Authority

$83,119 · 1

Federal Election Commission

$83,119 · 1

Environmental Protection Agency

$82,587 · 1

Federal Maritime Commission

$82,396 · 1

Department of Education

$82,305 · 1

Railroad Retirement Board

$81,208 · 1

Fed Mine Safety and Health Review Commission

$80,510 · 1

Median total compensation for the Legal Assistance role in other U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense)departments (highest first). Each bar links to that department’s page for this role.

Same department

Other job titles in Judicial Branch

Record list

Employees with this title

Page 1

Cassandra Zimmerman

Legal Assistance/Judicial Branch

2026 total comp

$111,087

Sub-department: United States Tax Court
Base pay: $111,087
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $111,087
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $111,087
Agency Code (OPM): JL
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): JL03
Basic Pay (before locality): $82,938
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 37
Occupation Code (OPM): 0986

Cassandra Zimmerman works as a Legal Assistance for Judicial Branch based in Washington, District of Columbia. Cassandra earned $111,087 in 2026. Their pay grade is 11.

Amanda Smith

Legal Assistance/Judicial Branch

2026 total comp

$102,540

Sub-department: United States Tax Court
Base pay: $102,540
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $102,540
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia
Middle name: Lynn

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $102,540
Agency Code (OPM): JL
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): JL03
Basic Pay (before locality): $76,557
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 19
Occupation Code (OPM): 0986

Amanda Smith works as a Legal Assistance for Judicial Branch based in Washington, District of Columbia. Amanda earned $102,540 in 2026. Their pay grade is 11.

Darlene Counts

Legal Assistance/Judicial Branch

2026 total comp

$95,913

Sub-department: United States Tax Court
Base pay: $95,913
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $95,913
Pay grade: 10
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia
Middle name: R.

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $95,913
Agency Code (OPM): JL
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): JL03
Basic Pay (before locality): $71,609
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 20
Occupation Code (OPM): 0986

Darlene Counts is a Legal Assistance at Judicial Branch based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2026 total compensation came to $95,913. They are classified at grade 10.

Stephen Currence

Legal Assistance/Judicial Branch

2026 total comp

$95,913

Sub-department: United States Tax Court
Base pay: $95,913
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $95,913
Pay grade: 10
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia
Middle name: E.

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $95,913
Agency Code (OPM): JL
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): JL03
Basic Pay (before locality): $71,609
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 20
Occupation Code (OPM): 0986

Stephen Currence is a Legal Assistance at Judicial Branch based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2026 total compensation came to $95,913. They are classified at grade 10.

Ricardo Stith

Legal Assistance/Judicial Branch

2026 total comp

$95,913

Sub-department: United States Tax Court
Base pay: $95,913
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $95,913
Pay grade: 10
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia
Middle name: D

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $95,913
Agency Code (OPM): JL
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): JL03
Basic Pay (before locality): $71,609
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 28
Occupation Code (OPM): 0986

At Judicial Branch, Ricardo Stith serves as a Legal Assistance based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2026 pay totaled $95,913. They are classified at grade 10.

Patricia Anchors

Legal Assistance/Judicial Branch

2026 total comp

$93,321

Sub-department: United States Tax Court
Base pay: $93,321
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $93,321
Pay grade: 10
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia
Middle name: G

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $93,321
Agency Code (OPM): JL
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): JL03
Basic Pay (before locality): $69,674
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 16
Occupation Code (OPM): 0986

Patricia Anchors holds the role of Legal Assistance at Judicial Branch based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2026, their total compensation was $93,321. Their pay grade is 10.

Sarita Deabreu

Legal Assistance/Judicial Branch

2026 total comp

$93,321

Sub-department: United States Tax Court
Base pay: $93,321
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $93,321
Pay grade: 10
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia
Middle name: M.

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $93,321
Agency Code (OPM): JL
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): JL03
Basic Pay (before locality): $69,674
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 22
Occupation Code (OPM): 0986

At Judicial Branch, Sarita Deabreu serves as a Legal Assistance based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2026 pay totaled $93,321. They are classified at grade 10.

Craig Taublib

Legal Assistance/Judicial Branch

2026 total comp

$93,321

Sub-department: United States Tax Court
Base pay: $93,321
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $93,321
Pay grade: 10
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia
Middle name: E

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $93,321
Agency Code (OPM): JL
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): JL03
Basic Pay (before locality): $69,674
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 17
Occupation Code (OPM): 0986

Craig Taublib works as a Legal Assistance for Judicial Branch based in Washington, District of Columbia. Craig earned $93,321 in 2026. Their pay grade is 10.

Keith Mitchell

Legal Assistance/Judicial Branch

2026 total comp

$91,815

Sub-department: United States Tax Court
Base pay: $91,815
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $91,815
Pay grade: 09
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia
Middle name: E.

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $91,815
Agency Code (OPM): JL
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): JL03
Basic Pay (before locality): $68,549
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 39
Occupation Code (OPM): 0986

Keith Mitchell works as a Legal Assistance for Judicial Branch based in Washington, District of Columbia. Keith earned $91,815 in 2026. Their pay grade is 09.

Sarita Ross

Legal Assistance/Judicial Branch

2026 total comp

$90,730

Sub-department: United States Tax Court
Base pay: $90,730
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $90,730
Pay grade: 10
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia
Middle name: E.

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $90,730
Agency Code (OPM): JL
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): JL03
Basic Pay (before locality): $67,739
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 13
Occupation Code (OPM): 0986

Sarita Ross works as a Legal Assistance for Judicial Branch based in Washington, District of Columbia. Sarita earned $90,730 in 2026. Their pay grade is 10.

Brandy Deabreu

Legal Assistance/Judicial Branch

2026 total comp

$88,138

Sub-department: United States Tax Court
Base pay: $88,138
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $88,138
Pay grade: 10
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia
Middle name: L.

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $88,138
Agency Code (OPM): JL
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): JL03
Basic Pay (before locality): $65,804
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 12
Occupation Code (OPM): 0986

At Judicial Branch, Brandy Deabreu serves as a Legal Assistance based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2026 pay totaled $88,138. They are classified at grade 10.

Arraja Green

Legal Assistance/Judicial Branch

2026 total comp

$88,138

Sub-department: United States Tax Court
Base pay: $88,138
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $88,138
Pay grade: 10
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia
Middle name: Kenneth

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $88,138
Agency Code (OPM): JL
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): JL03
Basic Pay (before locality): $65,804
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 21
Occupation Code (OPM): 0986

Arraja Green is a Legal Assistance at Judicial Branch based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2026 total compensation came to $88,138. They are classified at grade 10.

Kayla Merchlinsky

Legal Assistance/Judicial Branch

2026 total comp

$88,107

Sub-department: United States Tax Court
Base pay: $88,107
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $88,107
Pay grade: 10
Work city: Emmaus
Work state: Pennsylvania
Middle name: Ann

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $88,107
Agency Code (OPM): JL
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): JL03
Basic Pay (before locality): $63,869
Duty Station Code: 422600077
Duty Station State: PA
Length of Service (Years): 8
Occupation Code (OPM): 0986

Kayla Merchlinsky is a Legal Assistance at Judicial Branch based in Emmaus, Pennsylvania. 2026 total compensation came to $88,107. They are classified at grade 10.

Joanne Liu

Legal Assistance/Judicial Branch

2026 total comp

$85,546

Sub-department: United States Tax Court
Base pay: $85,546
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $85,546
Pay grade: 10
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $85,546
Agency Code (OPM): JL
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): JL03
Basic Pay (before locality): $63,869
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 9
Occupation Code (OPM): 0986

At Judicial Branch, Joanne Liu serves as a Legal Assistance based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2026 pay totaled $85,546. They are classified at grade 10.

Glenn Feuer

Legal Assistance/Judicial Branch

2026 total comp

$75,059

Sub-department: United States Tax Court
Base pay: $75,059
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $75,059
Pay grade: 07
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $75,059
Agency Code (OPM): JL
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): JL03
Basic Pay (before locality): $56,039
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 30
Occupation Code (OPM): 0986

Glenn Feuer works as a Legal Assistance for Judicial Branch based in Washington, District of Columbia. Glenn earned $75,059 in 2026. Their pay grade is 07.

Nicholas Brown

Legal Assistance/Judicial Branch

2026 total comp

$74,595

Sub-department: United States Tax Court
Base pay: $74,595
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $74,595
Pay grade: 08
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $74,595
Agency Code (OPM): JL
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): JL03
Basic Pay (before locality): $55,693
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 8
Occupation Code (OPM): 0986

Nicholas Brown holds the role of Legal Assistance at Judicial Branch based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2026, their total compensation was $74,595. Their pay grade is 08.

Annalyse Friday

Legal Assistance/Judicial Branch

2026 total comp

$71,957

Sub-department: United States Tax Court
Base pay: $71,957
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $71,957
Pay grade: 09
Work city: Newport Beach
Work state: California
Middle name: E.

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $71,957
Agency Code (OPM): JL
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): JL03
Basic Pay (before locality): $52,727
Duty Station Code: 062400059
Duty Station State: CA
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 0986

Annalyse Friday is a Legal Assistance at Judicial Branch based in Newport Beach, California. 2026 total compensation came to $71,957. They are classified at grade 09.

Kendra Harris

Legal Assistance/Judicial Branch

2026 total comp

$71,209

Sub-department: United States Tax Court
Base pay: $71,209
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $71,209
Pay grade: 07
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $71,209
Agency Code (OPM): JL
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): JL03
Basic Pay (before locality): $53,165
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 19
Occupation Code (OPM): 0986

At Judicial Branch, Kendra Harris serves as a Legal Assistance based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2026 pay totaled $71,209. They are classified at grade 07.

Anithia Blue

Legal Assistance/Judicial Branch

2026 total comp

$70,333

Sub-department: United States Tax Court
Base pay: $70,333
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $70,333
Pay grade: 08
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia
Middle name: A.

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $70,333
Agency Code (OPM): JL
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): JL03
Basic Pay (before locality): $52,511
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 11
Occupation Code (OPM): 0986

At Judicial Branch, Anithia Blue serves as a Legal Assistance based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2026 pay totaled $70,333. They are classified at grade 08.