Amanda Villanueva
Summary
Legal professional with strong skills in writing, organizing and project managing cases related to employment and immigration law. Expertly conducts research, collects witness statements and organizes files. Experienced working with diverse populations to optimize representation.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Paralegal
Chicago Community And Workers' Rights
02.2022 - Current
- Assisted clients in completing complaint forms for Illinois Department of Labor, the Illinois Department of Labor, the National Labor Relations Board, the Chicago Department of Business and Consumer Protection Office of Labor Standards, and the Office of the Illinois Attorney General.
- Referred clients to attorneys within our network after completing intakes and collecting any documentation available.
- Created spreadsheets calculating unpaid wages and overtime pay.
- Reduced workload of attorneys by writing legal documents and obtaining evidence from clients.
- Prepared clients for hearings, interviews, or, appeals, with the Illinois Department of Labor, the Illinois Department of Labor, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and the National Labor Relations Board.
- Provided Spanish translation for attorneys when necessary.
- Assisted NLRB attorney in completing affidavits for workers.
- Translated official letters from IDHR, IDOL, NLRB, EEOC, and the BACP Office of Labor Standards for clients.
- Enhanced case efficiency by organizing and maintaining legal documents, files, and correspondence.
- Assisted attorneys in preparing answers, providing documentation, and information for cases with IDHR, EEOC, IDOL, or NLRB.
- Assisted investigators at state institutions when necessary. (Translations, sending complete evidence, completing questionnaires, and communicating with clients)
- Provided "Know Your Rights Workshops" in English and Spanish for community members regarding employment and immigration law.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of changes in laws or regulations regarding employment and immigration law.
- Assisted attorneys in settlement proposals and agreements to help attorneys negotiate settlement in best interest of client.
- Returned calls and scheduled in new clients by priority.
- Maintained relationships with clients as their cases progressed through IDHR, NLRB, IDOL, EEOC or BACP.
Hearing Level Paralegal
Tabak Law
12.2020 - 01.2022
- Drafted and submitted hearing documents for attorneys, administrative law judges, and clients.
- Completed case reviews with claimants, screening them for Social Security Disability Benefits
- Translated meetings between attorneys and clients
- set and monitored deadlines for hearings
- Ordered medical records for clients, reviewed and submitted medical records with accurate scopes and information.
- Monitored clients' earnings and filed additional earning documentation when needed
managed case load of 377 clients - followed up periodically on attorney fees/assisted with billing and closed out files.
- Communicated with attorneys regarding approaching deadlines
- Flagged attorneys for issues with claims
Outreach Assistant
Farmworker And Landscaper Advocacy Project
10.2019 - 08.2020
- Gave “know your rights” presentations in Spanish at the Mexican Consulate in Chicago, IL and its mobile consulate units
throughout northern Illinois. - Completed intakes and referred cases to attorneys within our network as necessary. (i.e. Family Law Attorneys, Workers' Compensation Attorneys, Personal Injury Attorneys, and Employment Law Attorneys)
- Researched and received trainings on new immigration and employment law
- Completed grant reports.
Know Your Rights Educator
First Defense Legal Aid
11.2016 - 11.2018
- Gave” know you're rights” presentations in Chicago with the intention of reducing recidivism; outreach was
primarily done within the Englewood and Hyde Park area, on invoking 4th, 5th, and 6th amendment rights. - Collaborated with colleagues to develop and revise curriculum enhancing learning experience
- Grant writing
- Canvassing
- Maintained youth groups and wrote Know Your Rights curriculum.
CulturArte Coordinator for M.E.Ch.A.
University Of Wisconsin-Madison
01.2013 - 05.2015
- Employed through the University of Wisconsin Madison and in charge of budget writing, spending, hiring
employees, and preparing oral and written presentations for the Associated Students of Madison to reapply the budget annually. - Organized workshops on Latinx culture by bringing out artists and bands with our budget.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Cultural Anthropology And Chicago/Latino Studies
University of Wisconsin - Madison
Madison, WI05.2015
Skills
Fluent in Spanish
Legal Research
Proficient in MS Office
Case Management
Calendar Management
Community Outreach
Conflict Mediation
Attorney Support
Case Summaries
Legal Analysis
Legal Document Preparation
Client Support
Timeline
Paralegal
Chicago Community And Workers' Rights
02.2022 - Current
Hearing Level Paralegal
Tabak Law
12.2020 - 01.2022
Outreach Assistant
Farmworker And Landscaper Advocacy Project
10.2019 - 08.2020
Know Your Rights Educator
First Defense Legal Aid
11.2016 - 11.2018
CulturArte Coordinator for M.E.Ch.A.
University Of Wisconsin-Madison
01.2013 - 05.2015
Bachelor of Arts - Cultural Anthropology And Chicago/Latino Studies
University of Wisconsin - Madison
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