Alma Zendejas
Oak Lawn,IL
Summary
Encouraging and analytical problem-solver with talents for team building, leading and motivating, as well as excellent customer relations aptitude and relationship-building skills. Proficient in using independent decision-making skills and sound judgment to positively impact company success. Dedicated to applying training, monitoring and morale-building abilities to enhance employee engagement and boost performance.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Billing Analyst
Mayer Brown LLP
08.2022 - Current
- Conduct monthly pre-billing review and data quality analysis to verify complete accuracy of invoices delivered to customers and providers.
- Function as key point of contact for billing data integrity matters for partners, clients, vendors and various internal departments.
- Assist clients and attorneys with requests for invoice copies, ledger details, financial analysis reports and explanation of accounts receivable amounts owed.
- Determine key areas prime for process improvements.
- Monthly Pre-Bill Distribution
- Perform daily billing activities to support partners, attorneys, and clients
- Ensure compliance with firm/department procedures and client outside counsel guidelines
- Review and analyze accounts, identifying potential recoverability concerns for outstanding balances
- Communicate and educate Billing partners, secretaries, inter-department staff as to the billing language, procedures, approval requirements etc., as needed
- Utilize computerized accounting and billing software applications
- Effectively prioritize numerous tasks and complete within designated time deadlines
- Assist with new hires as necessary.
Notary Public, Mobile Notary Public, Signing Agent
Freelance
07.2021 - Current
- Provide mobile notary services to various clients and institutions by notarizing various types of legal documents such as trusts, wills, affidavits etc
- Complete notary certificates Administer oaths, jurats, and acknowledgments
- Provide Mobile Signing Agent services to various lenders, closing at borrower's convenience and returning completed loan closing documents
- Responsible for Sale & Purchase contracts, Refinancing, Reverse Mortgages, Mortgage Restructure, Applications, FHA 1st & 2nd, VA Mortgage, Deed in Lieu, various other legal documents
- Administer oath to document signers to obtain affirmation of truth.
- Look for signs of fraud or coercion and refuse notarization.
- Update journal with names and dates for permanent record.
- Attend public notary seminars to stay informed of updates to relevant laws and regulations.
- Maintained accurate records of all documents notarized to support accurate recordkeeping and reporting requirements.
- Draft and execute notarial affidavits in accordance with applicable laws.
Freelance Paralegal
Freelance
07.2021 - 08.2022
- Coordinate and assist with the court filings and services, trial preparation, and the preparation, production and organization of legal documents
- Draft various levels of correspondence, emails, memos and reports
- Prepared legal briefs, motions, and pleadings.
- Assisted counsel in preparing answers, providing documentation, and information for discovery request.
- Examined and generated memos on statutory law, case law and federal and state regulations using online research databases, such as Westlaw and print sources.
Senior Paralegal/Office Manager
Law Offices of Demetrios N. Dalmares & Associates
10.2019 - 07.2021
- Developed, trained, and supervised supporting staff, ensuring optimal performance and compliance with company policies, procedures, goals and objectives
- Opened and maintained legal files while engaging and supporting existing and prospective clients while maintaining the strictest and highest levels of confidentiality
- Actively maintain database and client/attorney files to ensure record compliance; accountable in following up with parties involved for complete and accurate information
- Researched and examined all documents to ensure accuracy and completion
- Drafted and submitted various levels of correspondence, pleadings, memos and reports
- Conferred with clients and other involved parties to gather and track case information.
- Prepared legal briefs, motions, and pleadings.
- Assisted counsel in preparing answers, providing documentation, and information for discovery request.
- Monitored changes in laws, regulations and other legal matters to keep firm compliant with requirements.
- Liaised with other paralegals and legal staff to complete common tasks on schedule.
- Oversaw office inventory activities by ordering and requisitions and stocking and shipment receiving.
- Managed scheduling of court calendars and deadlines to maintain smooth flow of firm operations.
- Managed compliance to keep organization operating within legal and regulatory guidelines.
- Controlled finances to lower costs and keep business operating within budget.
- Improved staffing during busy periods by creating employee schedules and monitoring call-outs.
- Trained personnel in equipment maintenance and enforced participation in exercises focused on developing key skills.
Executive Legal Assistant/Office Manager
Law Office of Thomas G. King, Sole Practitioner
04.2013 - 09.2019
- Updated office filing system for files up to 10 years old, increasing capacity
- Coordinated travel and appointments, including all correspondence and logistics necessary
- Prepared weekly payroll
- Managed monthly, quarterly and yearly payroll taxes
- Implemented and improved upon administrative processes for increased efficiency
- Established team atmosphere through leadership and employee development
- Handled office scheduling and made notes for deadlines, motions, and other important dates.
- Managed accounts and client records of clients, observing confidentiality, and extreme discretion.
- Created spreadsheets to track client progress and document billable hours.
- Monitored changes in relevant laws to stay abreast of procedures and provide legal updates to clients.
- Managed check requests, expense reimbursement requests, invoices and accounts payable and receivable information.
- Prioritized and handled multiple assignments and maintained firm commitment to deadlines.
- Filed documents with courts on behalf of attorney.
- Planned and organized internal and external events, meetings and conferences.
- Controlled finances to lower costs and keep business operating within budget.
- Managed compliance to keep organization operating within legal and regulatory guidelines.
- Recruited, interviewed and hired employees and implemented mentoring program to promote positive feedback and engagement.
- Evaluated employee performance and conveyed constructive feedback to improve skills.
- Managed senior-level personnel working in marketing and sales capacities.
- Conducted research on legal cases and prepared summaries for attorneys.
- Researched and identified legal precedents and statutes.
- Completed data entry of legal documents into electronic filing systems.
Head Loan Officer
Opportunity Financial
10.2007 - 08.2010
- Originated, reviewed, processed, closed, and administered customer loan proposals.
- Established plans and payoffs for customers' loans, prioritizing control of overall costs.
- Reviewed and edited loan agreements to enhance clarity and monitor compliance with requirements.
- Compiled database of loan applicants' credit histories, financial statements and other financial information.
Assistant Branch Manager
Pan American Bank
02.2005 - 09.2007
- Supervised and evaluated staff to help improve skills, achieve daily objectives, and attain advancement.
- Responded to customer concerns, working with manager to significantly raise customer satisfaction ratings.
- Conducted weekly staff meetings to motivate staff members, address concerns, and questions, plan improvements and evaluate progress toward goals.
- Wrote and administered employee performance reviews to monitor customer service and personal sales of 28 member team.
- Completed filings and upheld strict compliance with regulatory agencies and supervisors.
- Maximized efficiency through effective resource allocation and employee management.
- Implemented process improvements to increase productivity.
- Compiled financial data to comply with budget.
- Trained and developed new team members in alignment with branch service standards and objectives.
Education
Human Resource Management -
01.2022
Dean’s List, Spring 2018
Skills
- Bilingual – Fluent Spanish
- Illinois Certified Notary and Signing Agent
- Dispute Resolution
- Special projects
- Training and mentoring
- Billing Systems
- Proficient in Aderant
- Complex problem resolution
- Data Analysis
- Invoice Processing
- Month-end close
Timeline
Billing Analyst - Mayer Brown LLP
08.2022 - Current
Notary Public, Mobile Notary Public, Signing Agent - Freelance
07.2021 - Current
Freelance Paralegal - Freelance
07.2021 - 08.2022
Senior Paralegal/Office Manager - Law Offices of Demetrios N. Dalmares & Associates
10.2019 - 07.2021
Executive Legal Assistant/Office Manager - Law Office of Thomas G. King, Sole Practitioner
04.2013 - 09.2019
Head Loan Officer - Opportunity Financial
10.2007 - 08.2010
Assistant Branch Manager - Pan American Bank
02.2005 - 09.2007
Moraine Valley Community College - Human Resource Management,
Similar Profiles
SHARON CANNONSHARON CANNON
Staff Attorney, Litigation & Dispute Resolution at Mayer Brown LLPStaff Attorney, Litigation & Dispute Resolution at Mayer Brown LLP
Amber PlessAmber Pless
OFFICE OPERATIONS SUPERVISOR at Mayer Brown LLPOFFICE OPERATIONS SUPERVISOR at Mayer Brown LLP
Rusty RyanRusty Ryan
Legal Billing Analyst at Mayer Brown LLPLegal Billing Analyst at Mayer Brown LLP