Aura VALDEZ-PAYAN
Austin,TX
Summary
Senior Paralegal with over 12 years of experience with proven leadership, problem-solving, and planning skills. Areas of expertise include legal research, multitasking, and project management. Thrives while in a collaborative team environment in which to learn from others. Avid student of technology innovation with a focus in Artificial Intelligence, Optimization, and Automation tools and applications. Sure to be a valuable addition to any team.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Co-Founder/VP of Creative Solutions
Launch Studios, LLC
02.2023 - Current
- Collaborate and develop high-impact creative marketing initiatives for company campaigns from concept to completion aimed to increase brand awareness.
- Direct photo shoots for print and digital media, reviewing each element against client standards and expectations.
- Develop style guides to promote consistent branding across projects.
- Write advertising copy for online content, adhering to employers' overarching brand identity and personality.
- Coordinate with vendors and suppliers to source materials and equipment needed for production.
Managing Paralegal
Pesantes Law, LLC
06.2022 - 10.2023
- Contacted clients to schedule appointments, conduct interviews, provide case updates and discuss billing.
- Managed scheduling of court calendars, deadlines and payment schedules to maintain smooth flow of firm operations.
- Prepared and e-filed legal briefs, motions, and pleadings for cases and on statutory law, case law and federal and state regulations using online research databases, such as Westlaw and print sources.
- Summarized discovery, legal documents and other material to provide attorney with relevant material for cases.
- Administrative/Executive/Personal Assistant to Attorney performing wide-ranging administrative, financial and service-related functions.
Employment Immigration Paralegal
K&L Gates, LLP
01.2022 - 06.2022
- Created and managed processes and procedures to coordinate documentation for visa processing on immigrant and non-immigrant applications.
- Compiled client application packets and included relevant documentation to present strongest case for successful outcome.
- Filed correspondence and legal documents in correct client files and transmitted applicable documentation to courts and government agencies.
- Maintained public access files to facilitate compliance, documentation and execution of immigration policies and procedures.
- Explained visa rules and regulations to comply with Department of Labor and Department of State standards.
- Liaised with other paralegals and legal staff to complete common tasks on schedule.
Employment Immigration Paralegal
Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak, & Stewart, PC
04.2021 - 12.2021
- Created and managed processes and procedures to coordinate documentation for visa processing on immigrant and non-immigrant applications.
- Served as attorney-client liaison, acting as point of contact between attorneys and clients, addressing any inquiries they had regarding their case.
- Compiled client application packets and included relevant documentation to present strongest case for successful outcome.
- Filed correspondence and legal documents in correct client files and transmitted applicable documentation to courts and government agencies.
- Developed comprehensive client case list and performed file maintenance to promote accuracy and information compliance.
- Maintained public access files to facilitate compliance, documentation and execution of immigration policies and procedures.
- Managed scheduling of court calendars and deadlines to maintain smooth flow of firm operations.
Employment Immigration Paralegal
Jackson Lewis, PC
03.2020 - 03.2021
- Served as attorney-client liaison, acting as point of contact between attorneys and clients, addressing any inquiries regarding their case.
- Compiled client application packets and included relevant documentation to present strongest case for successful outcome.
- Prepared complete immigration applications for Attorney case review and approval.
- Filed applications and legal documents to corresponding agencies and file client copy according to procedures.
- Developed comprehensive client case list and performed file maintenance to promote accuracy and information compliance.
- Maintained public access files to facilitate compliance, documentation and execution of immigration policies and procedures.
- Managed scheduling of court calendars and deadlines to maintain smooth flow of firm operations.
Lead Humanitarian Immigration Paralegal
Peek and Toland, PLLC
03.2017 - 03.2020
- Conducted client intake interviews to determine client service need and eligibility. Illustrated green card and immigration processes.
- Prepared affidavits, waivers, translations and asylum requests for ongoing cases.
- Compiled client application packets and included relevant documentation to present strongest case for successful outcome.
- Provided United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) with information about case changes or problems.
- Monitored immigration law developments and procedural changes to improve client service quality and case outcomes.
- Maintained and updated organized client contact information to keep in touch with clients and provide updates on cases.
Assistant Legal Manager/Executive Assistant
Texas Civil Rights Project
05.2015 - 03.2017
- Supervised team of 2 legal assistants, 10 summer law clerks and multiple volunteers in conduct of administrative and legal tasks.
- Provided administrative support to Executive Director and to six attorneys across all offices.
- Produced legal documents such as memos, briefs, pleadings, appeals and court exhibits. Researched statutes, decisions, legal articles, and codes.
- Attended Federal and State court hearings and depositions to support the attorneys and document proceedings.
- Created weekly, monthly and quarterly billing and expense reports.
- Handled logistics, catering, agendas, travel arrangements and all business needs of board of directors, Executive Director and staff for meetings and event planning.
Legal Assistant, IP & Trademarks
Norton Rose Fulbright
02.2015 - 05.2015
- Assisted Attorneys to oversee client's global trademark, patent and domain name portfolios.
- Conducted research to oversee client's brands and intellectual property as well as identified infringement claims.
- Drafted cease and desist letters and initiated prosecution procedures on behalf of clients.
- Coordinate and assist International Partners and Co-Counsel in Trademark and Patent registration outside of US.
- Prepare USPTO applications on behalf of clients.
- Created weekly, monthly and quarterly legal billing and expense reports.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Government
The University of Texas At Austin
Austin, TX12.2014
Bachelor of Science - Communication Studies
The University of Texas At Austin
Austin, TX12.2014
Skills
- Proficient in Office Suite Tools & Adobe Premier Tools
- Experience with Misc Legal Management and Discovery SaaS & Applications
- Project Management
- Legal Research
- Criminal Law & Immigration Law
- Local, State & Federal Litigation
- C-Level Executive Assistant Skills
- Creative & Resourceful Problem Solver
- Intrapersonal Skills
- Customer Service Skills
- Texas Notary
- Native Spanish Speaker
Certification
- Introduction to Generative AI, Google Cloud - October 2023
- Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI), IBM - October 2023
- AI Foundations for Business Specialization, IBM - October 2023
- Deep Learning Specialization, DeepLearning.AI - December 2023
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Co-Founder/VP of Creative Solutions
Launch Studios, LLC
02.2023 - Current
Managing Paralegal
Pesantes Law, LLC
06.2022 - 10.2023
Employment Immigration Paralegal
K&L Gates, LLP
01.2022 - 06.2022
Employment Immigration Paralegal
Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak, & Stewart, PC
04.2021 - 12.2021
Employment Immigration Paralegal
Jackson Lewis, PC
03.2020 - 03.2021
Lead Humanitarian Immigration Paralegal
Peek and Toland, PLLC
03.2017 - 03.2020
Assistant Legal Manager/Executive Assistant
Texas Civil Rights Project
05.2015 - 03.2017
Legal Assistant, IP & Trademarks
Norton Rose Fulbright
02.2015 - 05.2015
Bachelor of Arts - Government
The University of Texas At Austin
Bachelor of Science - Communication Studies
The University of Texas At Austin