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 $85,372, below the department median of $117,962.

Employees: 19
Total payroll: $1.6M
Role median: $85,372
Agency median: $117,962
Comparison: Below

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

$55,924$103,618+

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 $85,372 for this role, 36% above that figure — about the 79th 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 · $85,372

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 $85,372, 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 $85,372 ranks #8 of 34.

Highest-paying departments for this role

Department of Treasury

$112,531 · 12

Federal Reserve System

$100,060 · 2

Office of the U.S. Trade Representative

$97,925 · 1

National Transportation Safety Board

$88,926 · 1

Securities and Exchange Commission

$88,417 · 7

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

$86,695 · 5

Office of Personnel Management

$85,506 · 4

Fed Mine Safety and Health Review Cmsn

$80,510 · 1

Department of Education

$80,510 · 1

Federal Labor Relations Authority

$80,510 · 1

General Services Administration

$80,510 · 1

Federal Election 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.

Record list

Employees with this title

Page 1

Cassandra Zimmerman

Legal Assistance/Judicial Branch

2024 total comp

$107,590

Sub-department: U.S. Tax Court
Base pay: $107,590
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $107,590
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $107,590
Basic Pay (before locality): $80,737
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 34
Occupation Code (OPM): 0986
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Cassandra Zimmerman works as a Legal Assistance for Judicial Branch based in Washington, District of Columbia. Cassandra earned $107,590 in 2024. Their pay grade is 11.

Amanda Smith

Legal Assistance/Judicial Branch

2024 total comp

$96,556

Sub-department: U.S. Tax Court
Base pay: $96,556
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $96,556
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $96,556
Basic Pay (before locality): $72,457
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 17
Occupation Code (OPM): 0986
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Amanda Smith works as a Legal Assistance for Judicial Branch based in Washington, District of Columbia. Amanda earned $96,556 in 2024. Their pay grade is 11.

Darlene Counts

Legal Assistance/Judicial Branch

2024 total comp

$90,393

Sub-department: U.S. Tax Court
Base pay: $90,393
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $90,393
Pay grade: 10
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $90,393
Basic Pay (before locality): $67,832
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 17
Occupation Code (OPM): 0986
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Darlene Counts is a Legal Assistance at Judicial Branch based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $90,393. They are classified at grade 10.

Stephen Currence

Legal Assistance/Judicial Branch

2024 total comp

$90,393

Sub-department: U.S. Tax Court
Base pay: $90,393
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $90,393
Pay grade: 10
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $90,393
Basic Pay (before locality): $67,832
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 17
Occupation Code (OPM): 0986
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Stephen Currence is a Legal Assistance at Judicial Branch based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $90,393. They are classified at grade 10.

Ricardo Stith

Legal Assistance/Judicial Branch

2024 total comp

$90,393

Sub-department: U.S. Tax Court
Base pay: $90,393
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $90,393
Pay grade: 10
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $90,393
Basic Pay (before locality): $67,832
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 26
Occupation Code (OPM): 0986
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Judicial Branch, Ricardo Stith serves as a Legal Assistance based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $90,393. They are classified at grade 10.

Keith Mitchell

Legal Assistance/Judicial Branch

2024 total comp

$88,926

Sub-department: U.S. Tax Court
Base pay: $88,926
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $88,926
Pay grade: 09
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $88,926
Basic Pay (before locality): $66,731
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 37
Occupation Code (OPM): 0986
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Keith Mitchell works as a Legal Assistance for Judicial Branch based in Washington, District of Columbia. Keith earned $88,926 in 2024. Their pay grade is 09.

Patricia Anchors

Legal Assistance/Judicial Branch

2024 total comp

$87,882

Sub-department: U.S. Tax Court
Base pay: $87,882
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $87,882
Pay grade: 10
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $87,882
Basic Pay (before locality): $65,948
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 14
Occupation Code (OPM): 0986
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Patricia Anchors holds the role of Legal Assistance at Judicial Branch based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $87,882. Their pay grade is 10.

Sarita Deabreu

Legal Assistance/Judicial Branch

2024 total comp

$87,882

Sub-department: U.S. Tax Court
Base pay: $87,882
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $87,882
Pay grade: 10
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $87,882
Basic Pay (before locality): $65,948
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 20
Occupation Code (OPM): 0986
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Judicial Branch, Sarita Deabreu serves as a Legal Assistance based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $87,882. They are classified at grade 10.

Craig Taublib

Legal Assistance/Judicial Branch

2024 total comp

$87,882

Sub-department: U.S. Tax Court
Base pay: $87,882
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $87,882
Pay grade: 10
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $87,882
Basic Pay (before locality): $65,948
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 14
Occupation Code (OPM): 0986
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Craig Taublib works as a Legal Assistance for Judicial Branch based in Washington, District of Columbia. Craig earned $87,882 in 2024. Their pay grade is 10.

Sarita Ross

Legal Assistance/Judicial Branch

2024 total comp

$85,372

Sub-department: U.S. Tax Court
Base pay: $85,372
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $85,372
Pay grade: 10
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $85,372
Basic Pay (before locality): $64,064
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 11
Occupation Code (OPM): 0986
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Sarita Ross works as a Legal Assistance for Judicial Branch based in Washington, District of Columbia. Sarita earned $85,372 in 2024. Their pay grade is 10.

Brandy Deabreu

Legal Assistance/Judicial Branch

2024 total comp

$82,861

Sub-department: U.S. Tax Court
Base pay: $82,861
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $82,861
Pay grade: 10
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $82,861
Basic Pay (before locality): $62,180
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 10
Occupation Code (OPM): 0986
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Judicial Branch, Brandy Deabreu serves as a Legal Assistance based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $82,861. They are classified at grade 10.

Arraja Green

Legal Assistance/Judicial Branch

2024 total comp

$82,861

Sub-department: U.S. Tax Court
Base pay: $82,861
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $82,861
Pay grade: 10
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $82,861
Basic Pay (before locality): $62,180
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 18
Occupation Code (OPM): 0986
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Arraja Green is a Legal Assistance at Judicial Branch based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $82,861. They are classified at grade 10.

Joanne Liu

Legal Assistance/Judicial Branch

2024 total comp

$77,525

Sub-department: U.S. Tax Court
Base pay: $77,525
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $77,525
Pay grade: 09
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $77,525
Basic Pay (before locality): $58,176
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 6
Occupation Code (OPM): 0986
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Judicial Branch, Joanne Liu serves as a Legal Assistance based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $77,525. They are classified at grade 09.

Kayla Merchlinsky

Legal Assistance/Judicial Branch

2024 total comp

$77,493

Sub-department: U.S. Tax Court
Base pay: $77,493
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $77,493
Pay grade: 09
Work city: Emmaus
Work county: Lehigh
Work state: Pennsylvania

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $77,493
Basic Pay (before locality): $56,465
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 422600077
Length of Service (Years): 5
Occupation Code (OPM): 0986
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Kayla Merchlinsky is a Legal Assistance at Judicial Branch based in Emmaus, Pennsylvania. 2024 total compensation came to $77,493. They are classified at grade 09.

Glenn Feuer

Legal Assistance/Judicial Branch

2024 total comp

$72,703

Sub-department: U.S. Tax Court
Base pay: $72,703
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $72,703
Pay grade: 07
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $72,703
Basic Pay (before locality): $54,557
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 27
Occupation Code (OPM): 0986
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Glenn Feuer works as a Legal Assistance for Judicial Branch based in Washington, District of Columbia. Glenn earned $72,703 in 2024. Their pay grade is 07.

Nicholas Brown

Legal Assistance/Judicial Branch

2024 total comp

$70,189

Sub-department: U.S. Tax Court
Base pay: $70,189
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $70,189
Pay grade: 08
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $70,189
Basic Pay (before locality): $52,671
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 6
Occupation Code (OPM): 0986
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Nicholas Brown holds the role of Legal Assistance at Judicial Branch based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $70,189. Their pay grade is 08.

Kendra Harris

Legal Assistance/Judicial Branch

2024 total comp

$68,974

Sub-department: U.S. Tax Court
Base pay: $68,974
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $68,974
Pay grade: 07
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $68,974
Basic Pay (before locality): $51,759
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 16
Occupation Code (OPM): 0986
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Judicial Branch, Kendra Harris serves as a Legal Assistance based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $68,974. They are classified at grade 07.

Anithia Blue

Legal Assistance/Judicial Branch

2024 total comp

$66,061

Sub-department: U.S. Tax Court
Base pay: $66,061
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $66,061
Pay grade: 08
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $66,061
Basic Pay (before locality): $49,573
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 9
Occupation Code (OPM): 0986
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Judicial Branch, Anithia Blue serves as a Legal Assistance based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $66,061. They are classified at grade 08.

Annalyse Friday

Legal Assistance/Judicial Branch

2024 total comp

$55,924

Sub-department: U.S. Tax Court
Base pay: $55,924
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $55,924
Pay grade: 07
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $55,924
Basic Pay (before locality): $41,966
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0986
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Annalyse Friday is a Legal Assistance at Judicial Branch based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $55,924. They are classified at grade 07.