Alma Tidwell
Glenpool,OK
Summary
Dynamic legal professional with over 20 years of diverse experience specializing in customer service, executive support, and workflow prioritization. Expertise includes over 6 years in immigration law, along with substantial experience in criminal and civil litigation, demonstrating a strong ability to manage case files and conduct comprehensive legal research. Recognized for exceptional multitasking skills and a results-driven approach, consistently delivering projects on time while maintaining a high level of confidentiality and professionalism. Reliable team player adept at adapting to the fast-paced demands of the legal environment, fostering collaboration, and enhancing operational efficiency.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Legal Assistant
GableGotwals
02.2022 - Current
- Served as a Legal Assistant supporting three attorneys in the Civil Division.
- Managed the end-to-end litigation lifecycle for complex commercial, environmental, and business defense disputes in both state and federal courts.
- Maintained strict electronic calendars, calculating and tracking crucial filing, discovery, and trial deadlines via specialized docketing systems.
- Executed seamless electronic filings (e-filing) of briefs, pleadings, and motions across federal (CM/ECF) and state court portals in compliance with local rules.
- Streamlined firm administrative tasks including processing conflict checks, drafting engagement letters, and compiling attorney billing entries.
- Drafted routine discovery requests, responses, privilege logs, third-party subpoenas, and deposition notices for attorney review.
- Assembled comprehensive trial notebooks, exhibit binders, and witness preparation materials for high-stakes hearings and trials.
- Managed exhibits logistics, including numbering, tracking, and redacting sensitive data to maintain a clean chain of custody.
- Coordinated trial logistics by scheduling witnesses, securing expert availability.
- Utilized NetDocuments to maintain strict organization of all physical and digital client files, optimizing team retrieval times.
Legal Assistant
FSA Federal (U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE / NDOK)
TULSA, OK
03.2021 - 02.2022
- Served as a Legal Assistant responsible for directly and independently supporting the Criminal Division by providing a wide variety of technical assistance services.
- Provided a variety of direct legal support assistance services to the AUSA staff. Typical assignments included examining, preparing, and processing a variety of technical legal documents which were characteristically voluminous and complex in format.
- Review incoming material and independently determine the need for assembly and preparation of a variety of legal documents, e.g., complaints, motions, orders, answers, pleadings, and subpoenas.
- Prepared documents, considered the nature and the status of the case involved. With limited instructions from the AUSA, prepared such legal actions as complaints, correspondence, and discovery requests and responses.
- Completed variable aspects of recurring legal documents in conformance with the rules governing their style and format.
- Provided assistance to attorneys in trial preparation by performing duties such as independently compiling trial notebooks, assembling jury instructions, and compiling witness and exhibit lists.
- Coordinated with the victim/witness specialist to ensure adherence to current Departmental guidelines relating to victims' rights and services responsibilities.
- Ensured citations were complete and consistent with source material.
- Composed original letters that do not require legal interpretations but do require a good working knowledge of legal procedures and specialized terminology, e.g., transmittal of pleadings, requests for extensions of time in certain cases, advising of actions taken or developments in cases referred by other federal departments and agencies, and notices to attorneys representing defendants.
- Furnished requested information concerning pending and closed matters and cases, functions, and general procedures of the office.
- Perform docketing duties such as opening, updating, and closing cases through use of the automated case tracking system. As necessary, searched the database for required information.
- Reviewed bills and invoices and submitted them to the budget office for payment.
- Maintained a calendar of assigned active cases. Track filing, hearing, and trial dates, and scheduling conferences and interviews. Developed and maintained a system for ongoing cases and informs the AUSA’s of pending dates and deadlines.
Legal Assistant
THE LAW OFFICE OF CAMPBELL COOKE
TULSA, OK
03.2015 - 02.2021
- Prepared immigration forms and assembled packages to be filed with Immigration Service, Department of Labor, and Immigration Court.
- Drafted Responses to USCIS Request for Evidence for attorney’s review.
- Prepared Waivers and/or Affidavits or other documents, such as legal correspondence to support Petitions or Applications.
- Maintained and organized documents in paper or electronic filing system.
- Manage workload of over 50 cases.
- Met with clients and other professionals to discuss details of the case, gather documents from clients and/or companies to include in applications, petitions or as trial exhibits.
- Used of software programs to organize digital evidence and production of Discovery.
- Assisted Attorney with Trial Presentations with the Immigration Court, Board of Immigration Appeals and/or 5th Circuit.
- Called upon witnesses to testify at the hearing.
- Translated documents from English to Spanish and vice-versa.
- Maintained litigation docket and calendars for Attorney, noting deadlines for responsive pleadings, motions, and other important deadlines.
- Answered client’s calls to respond to inquiries, using open-ended questioning skills to attain applicable information.
- Reviewed case files and reported case progress to clients.
- Performed administrative tasks, including revising and finalizing letters, briefs, and status inquiries.
Administrative Assistant
SUITES LILIA HOTEL
GUADALAJARA, JALISCO
07.2006 - 12.2013
- Greeted and assisted visitors, clients, and vendors, ensuring a positive and professional experience.
- Handled client inquiries and requests, directing them to the appropriate team members.
- Entered and maintained accurate data in databases, spreadsheets, and other systems.
- Supported project management by tracking timelines, deadlines, and deliverables, facilitating communication among team members.
- Assisted in the creation, editing, and formatting of documents, presentations, and spreadsheets.
- Maintained organized filing systems for documents, contracts, and other records, ensuring easy accessibility for team members.
- Scheduled and coordinated meetings, appointments, and conferences, managing calendars to optimize time efficiency.
- Handle incoming and outgoing communications, including emails and phone calls, and ensure timely responses.
- Oversaw day-to-day office operations, including maintenance, security, and facility-related issues.
- Ensured the availability of office supplies and equipment, coordinating with vendors and managing inventory.
Education
Bachelor of Science -
Universidad De Guadalajara
Guadalajara, México07-2000
Skills
- Administrative support
- Organizational Efficiency
- Fluent in legal terminology
- Scheduling/Planning
- Bilingual (English – Spanish)
- Fast learner
- Microsoft office
- File organization
- Calendar management
- Legal document preparation
- Client communication
- Document drafting
- Document filing
- Notary public
- Legal/Court processes
Accomplishments
- Acted as the lead Legal Assistant in the development of the Medical Experts Database in collaboration with team members.
- Acted as the lead Legal Assistant on multiple international asylum cases.
- Translated several legal and educational publications from Spanish to English and from English to Spanish.
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Legal Assistant
GableGotwals
02.2022 - Current
Legal Assistant
FSA Federal (U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE / NDOK)
03.2021 - 02.2022
Legal Assistant
THE LAW OFFICE OF CAMPBELL COOKE
03.2015 - 02.2021
Administrative Assistant
SUITES LILIA HOTEL
07.2006 - 12.2013
Bachelor of Science -
Universidad De Guadalajara