Abby VanSice
San Antonio,Texas
Summary
Proven track record in case, client, and project management. Adept at navigating complex legislative and regulatory landscapes to ensure optimal compliance and quality standards. Possess strong interpersonal skills, fostering successful collaborations with clients, leadership, cross-functional teams, government agencies, and stakeholders to achieve shared objectives efficiently. Motivated to continually improve and extend personal skills and knowledge to attain increased responsibility and opportunities for professional growth. Driven Paralegal successful at thriving in high stress, high-pressure environments and situations involving constant change and vast ambiguity in data and instruction.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Paralegal
Bracewell LLP
04.2023 - 06.2024
- Conduct comprehensive case assessments, including reviewing client documents and identifying potential legal issues, resulting in successful cases
- Document review and collaborate with Managing Partner to draft and file various non-immigrant and immigrant cases including initial filings, extensions, and renewals of visa petitions
- Submitted filings to the U.S
- Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Department of Labor (DOL), and various government agencies (H's, TN's, L's, B's, O-1, E, PERM, I-140, I-485)
- Ensure compliance with relevant regulations and deadlines
- Preparation and filing of Prevailing Wage and PERM cases with the DOL
- Evaluate new hire applicants' immigration status to determine long-term employability and guide internal and external stakeholders
- Manage caseload, maintain accurate case files, track key deadlines, and proactively communicate with clients to ensure timely completion of required documentation
- Facilitating communications between clients, government agencies, and foreign consulates resulting in a streamlined and efficient immigration process
- Leverage database and case management software to streamline client cases
- Stay current on immigration laws and developments from USCIS, DOL, and other federal sources
- Work with stakeholders to perform intake of cases, troubleshoot issues, and establish case strategy in response to the evolving immigration landscape and emerging immigration needs
- Responsible for case life cycle management, expenses, and reimbursements.
- Reduced attorney workload by drafting routine legal documents such as pleadings, motions, and affidavits.
- Enhanced case efficiency by organizing and maintaining legal documents, files, and correspondence.
- Edited and proofread legal documents to verify accuracy.
- Liaised with other paralegals and legal staff to complete common tasks on schedule.
- Contributed to firm-client relationship building through professional interactions with clients during meetings or phone calls, conveying empathy while maintaining confidentiality.
- Maintained and updated organized client contact information to keep in touch with clients and provide updates on cases.
- Improved document organization by implementing a comprehensive file management system for easy access to essential case materials.
Relocation Consultant
SIRVA/BRGS Worldwide, Inc.
07.2022 - 04.2023
- Expert in mobility programs, helping clients understand their options by listening carefully to their needs, showing empathy, and providing advice based on my expertise
- Utilize digital tools to quickly access policy information, ensuring customers receive accurate information promptly
- Tailor my approach to each customer, adapting as their situation changes
- Offer advice on services from vendors and resolve issues across areas such as housing, immigration, and education
- Collaborate closely with vendors to ensure customers receive top-notch service
- Committed to maintaining accurate data, which enhances the overall customer experience
- Monitor customer trends and share insights to improve our products and services
- Excel in customer satisfaction responsiveness, and cost savings
- Focus on delivering quality service on time and preventing financial losses
- Responsible for case life cycle management, expenses, and reimbursements.
- Reduced client stress during the moving process by offering comprehensive support and guidance throughout each stage of relocation.
- Managed complex international moves, navigating cultural differences and language barriers to ensure seamless transitions for clients.
- Enhanced client satisfaction by providing personalized relocation services and addressing individual needs.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of industry trends and regulations, providing expert advice to clients throughout their relocation journey.
- Provided ongoing support to clients post-relocation, addressing any concerns and ensuring a smooth acclimation period.
- Established strong relationships with vendors to ensure timely service delivery and cost-effective solutions for clients.
Sr. Paralegal/Operations Manager
Familia America Immigration Law Group
07.2010 - 04.2022
- Provided hands-on support in designing and implementing case strategies for all employment and family-based filings in compliance with all US immigration laws and regulations
- Document review and collaborate with Managing Partner to draft and file various non-immigrant and immigration visa petitions ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and deadlines
- Prepared immigrant and nonimmigrant petitions for filing with the USCIS including the following nonimmigrant petitions H-1B, L-1A, L-1B, TN, O-1, and E
- Prepared petitions and applications to move toward Permanent Residency including PERM (Labor Certification), I-140, I-485, and N-400
- Preparation and filing of Prevailing Wage and PERM cases with the DOL
- Advised companies/clients on immigration strategies and provided options and appropriate hiring/employment program recommendations
- Coordinated with the Managing Partner in identifying and mitigating risks and addressing escalations
- Manage case deadlines and monitor case progress and milestones to make sure that work is finished
- Utilize CRM software and to handle customer cases
- Guaranteed and kept an eye on the performance of suppliers
- Defend, develop, and uphold legal immigration policy while keeping abreast of emerging immigration and mobility patterns
- Conduct routine case reviews to ensure effective case management while providing supervision and direction to the paralegal staff
- Responsible for case life cycle management, expenses, and reimbursements
- Set priorities, assign tasks, and monitor the paralegals' whole workflow
- Discuss procedural and case processing concerns with clients and come up with solutions for their immigration needs.
- Oversaw [Number] paralegal staff focused on [Area] law.
- Managed all incoming correspondence from judges, court administrative staff and opposing parties.
- Managed complex legal projects, ensuring timely completion within budget constraints.
- Implemented best practices in managing large volumes of documents during complex litigations.
- Coordinated with expert witnesses for accurate testimony preparation and presentation at trial.
- Managed scheduling of court calendars and deadlines to maintain smooth flow of firm operations.
- Edited and proofread legal documents to verify accuracy.
- Liaised with other paralegals and legal staff to complete common tasks on schedule.
- Empowered employees to take ownership of their responsibilities, leading to increased accountability and improved performance outcomes.
- Led hiring, onboarding and training of new hires to fulfill business requirements.
- Developed and maintained relationships with external vendors and suppliers.
- Recruited, hired, and trained initial personnel, working to establish key internal functions and outline scope of positions for new organization.
Sr. Paralegal
Parsons Behle & Latimer
07.2000 - 07.2010
- Provided immigration policy, procedure, support, analysis, and guidance to internal and external stakeholders including foreign talent, Human resources, and attorneys
- Managed daily operations and client relations of Immigration Practice (Salt Lake City) with the attorney's home office in Colorado
- Document review and collaborate with attorney to draft and file various non-immigrant and immigration visa petitions ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and deadlines
- Prepared immigrant and nonimmigrant petitions for filing with the USCIS including the following nonimmigrant petitions H-1B, L-1A, L-1B, TN, O-1, and E
- Prepared petitions and applications to move toward Permanent Residency including PERM (Labor Certification), I-140, I-485, and N-400
- Liaison between client corporate HR department and attorneys
- Provide strategic solutions for employment-based immigration cases for new hires and transfer employees
- Responsible for case life cycle management, expenses, and reimbursements
- Review cases and develop strategies to ensure the most favorable outcome for the individual case
- Preparation of all legal documentation required to file a successful case with the various USCIS Service Centers
- Stay abreast of the ever-changing immigration laws and issues
- Effectively communicate the same to all stakeholders
- Managed all steps of the permanent residency process for foreign employees
- Identify client immigration solutions, keep clients informed about current client activities, and communicate with them about procedural and case processing concerns
- Review and document any client-specific policies and procedures
- Monitor case workflow and docket management to make sure service level agreement dates are fulfilled.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of legal developments by participating in continuing education programs and industry events.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams for effective case management and resolution.
- Enhanced case efficiency by streamlining legal research and document management processes.
- Drafted well-organized pleadings, motions, and briefs to support case positions effectively.
Education
BS, Business Administration -
ASPEN UNIVERSITY
04.2023
Skills
- Multitasking & prioritization
- Problem-solving
- Analytical ability
- Complex analysis
- Oral and written communication
- International / Global mobility
- Client management
- MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Process Improvement and Efficiencies
- Self-directed
- Investigation and research
- Case / project management
- Document review
- Database Operations
- Subject matter expert in US Business Immigration
- Prevailing Wage
- Case Management
- Legal Research
- Proficient in MS Office
- Client Communication
- Office Administration
- Document drafting
Timeline
Paralegal
Bracewell LLP
04.2023 - 06.2024
Relocation Consultant
SIRVA/BRGS Worldwide, Inc.
07.2022 - 04.2023
Sr. Paralegal/Operations Manager
Familia America Immigration Law Group
07.2010 - 04.2022
Sr. Paralegal
Parsons Behle & Latimer
07.2000 - 07.2010
BS, Business Administration -
ASPEN UNIVERSITY
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