Areitha Hunnicutt
Humble
Summary
Experienced paralegal at Harris County District Attorney’s Office, focused on case preparation and legal research. Proven ability to lead and train teams, maintaining strong client relations and high attention to detail. Proficient in handling complex litigation support and adhering to court compliance standards.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Paralegal
Harris County District Attorney’s Office
Houston
06.2013 - Current
- The Harris County District Attorney’s Office employs Paralegals who will directly work with one or more assistant district attorneys. The duties of a Paralegal will vary according to assignment. A paralegal’s responsibilities may include case preparation, which consists of preparing subpoenas, motions, and notices. The paralegal will also maintain communication with complainants and witnesses during the preparation of the case as well as coordinator of such witnesses for trial. The paralegal may also be requested to conduct legal research. The paralegal will be fundamental in providing continuity of contact with complainants and witnesses. Being able to maintain a good rapport.
- In addition to all Paralegal duties listed above, I am the Lead/Supervisor over Division B which includes 3 paralegals I assist, train and fill in for if they are out of the office., for unanticipated absences, vacations or other leave, approve request for leave and responsible for timesheets and train all new paralegals.
- Harris County District Attorney’s Office mission was to build the community's confidence in the criminal justice system through more effective judicial and public intervention based on changed perceptions of addiction.
Legal Assistant/Office Assistant
Avram Blair & Associates
Houston
09.2010 - 05.2013
- Managing communications (phone, email, and mail) organized files and data, maintained office supplies and equipment, coordinated meetings and appointments with potential clients and provided overall general administrative support to the team.
- Avram Blair & Associates P.C. is a Texas-based law firm dedicated to defective products and serious personal injury litigation for clients across the United States.
Legal Assistant
RigNet, Inc.
Houston
07.2010 - 09.2010
- Assisted in preparing corporate legal documents and materials. Assisted multiples attorneys, paralegals and contract managers with day to day tasks and special projects. Redlined contracts: Master Service Agreements, Non-Disclosure Agreements and Service Order Agreements. Maintained Company’s contract management system (SugarCRM) for all contracts. Entered attorney’s accumulated time weekly.
- Global Oilfield Telecommunications Company.
- Reported directly to the Director of Global Human Resources and worked with the Global Human Resources Advisor. Assisted with assigned projects, assisted in processing new hire paperwork, assisted in performing background checks and drug screens, assisted with enrolling and terminating employee benefits and assisted in implementing an employee data filing system.
Administrative Specialist I
Kellogg Brown & Root
Houston
10.2009 - 07.2010
- Provided comprehensive, confidential administrative and paralegal support to attorneys in the Litigation’s Legal Department. Prepared legal documents, such as pleadings, discovery and correspondence, using various software programs. Tracked and recorded all billable hours for various files. Maintained a calendar tickler system. Updated and maintained the Litigation Library. Uploaded documents to the Company’s Secured Counsel Website.
- KBR is a leading global engineering, construction and services company supporting the energy, petrochemicals, government services and civil infrastructure sectors.
Litigation Secretary
Patterson Buchanan Fobes Leitch & Kalzer, Inc. P.S
Seattle
08.2008 - 03.2009
- Managed all administrative tasks for five attorneys. Composed and revised legal documents for attorneys, including letters, depositions, and court filings. Answered direct attorney phone lines and acted as liaison between clients and attorneys. Scheduled all appointments and briefings for attorneys, as well as track and maintain busy attorney schedules. Managed an average of 35 client accounts at a time. Tracked and accounted for all expenses, utilizing correct client codes and invoicing procedures. Maintained a working knowledge of filing fees, filing periods, court peculiarities and procedural differences of all courts. Ensured legal documents were processed and handled in a timely and efficient manner in order to comply with appropriate regulations and deadlines.
- A Washington state law firm which focused on Insurance Defense, Personal Injury, School District and Liability.
Junior Paralegal
Wiener Lambka Deutscher, P.S.
Renton
02.2008 - 07.2008
- Managed all administrative tasks for one shareholder and one associate attorney. Area of law: Medical Malpractice and Wrongful Death. Responsibilities include drafting court pleadings, discovery, revising and finalizing pleadings and discovery, filing pleadings with various courts, drafting correspondence, coordinating and scheduling depositions, preparing trial exhibits and other trial documents, maintaining attorneys’ calendar, communication with clients, opposing counsel, and judges’ bailiff, knowledge of court rules and file organization.
- A personal injury law firm with focus on Medical Malpractice and Wrongful Death cases.
Litigation Secretary
Groff Murphy, PLLC
Seattle
03.2007 - 01.2008
- Assistant to three attorneys. Area of law: Construction Law. Responsibilities included, paper filing and e-filing of legal documents, pleadings; transcribing correspondence, pleadings and discovery; client communications, maintaining attorneys’ calendar, coordinating and scheduling depositions, meetings, and hearings. Other duties included docketing and maintenance of court documents, indexing and client filing and occasional receptionist relief.
- The Northwest's leading construction law firm, handling clients' needs throughout the western United States.
Litigation Secretary
Forsberg & Umlauf, PS
Seattle
10.2005 - 03.2007
- Assistant to two Shareholders and two Associates. Responsibilities included processing of new client files, client contact, transcribing correspondence, discovery and pleadings, coordinating and scheduling depositions, meetings and hearings, coordinating with various copy and courier vendors, docket calendaring, filing and e-filing with various courts, fax transmissions, scheduling hotel and travel accommodations, and working closely with Shareholders and Associates in preparation for trial.
- Area of law included civil defense and insurance coverage litigation.
Legal Assistant
Mosler Schermer Wallstrom Jacobs & Sieler
Seattle
09.2001 - 10.2005
- Able to multi-task responsibilities for 6 attorneys. Responsibilities included transcribing correspondence, discovery and pleadings; filing, faxing, coordinating with various copy and courier vendors, calendar management, answering busy multi-line phone, an experienced customer service representative; responsible for all attorneys incoming and outgoing mail and overall office management.
- Area of Law included Family Law, Personal Injury and Employment.
- Anticipated the needs of the office – Managed and maintained relationship with office vendors. Ordered and managed office food: lunches through caterer/food vendors, kept kitchen stocked. Ordered office supplies. Communicated with building managers. Coordinated office meetings (food/beverage/activities/Q&A/company updates). Processed incoming mail. Managed and tracked incoming invoices and ensured payment through accounts payable. Assisted with various projects as necessary.
Education
Paralegal Certification -
Center For Advanced Paralegals
Houston, TX01.2013
Associate of Applied Science Degree -
Center For Advanced Paralegals
Houston, TX01.2013
Paralegal Certification - (non-ABA approved)
Washington Works
Seattle, WA01.2002
Certificate of Completion - Business Administration
Computer Training And Administrative Program
Seattle, WA01.1996
General Studies -
West Texas A&M University
Canyon, TX01.1993
General Studies -
Frank Phillips College
Borger, TX01.1992
Skills
- Legal research and drafting
- Case and trial preparation
- Evidence management
- Litigation support
- Case preparation
- Time management
- Client communication
- Problem solving
- Interpersonal skills
- Attention to detail
- Team leadership
- Conflict resolution
- Court filing
- Procedure compliance
- Office administration
- Trial preparation
- Document drafting
- Legal research
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Paralegal
Harris County District Attorney’s Office
06.2013 - Current
Legal Assistant/Office Assistant
Avram Blair & Associates
09.2010 - 05.2013
Legal Assistant
RigNet, Inc.
07.2010 - 09.2010
Administrative Specialist I
Kellogg Brown & Root
10.2009 - 07.2010
Litigation Secretary
Patterson Buchanan Fobes Leitch & Kalzer, Inc. P.S
08.2008 - 03.2009
Junior Paralegal
Wiener Lambka Deutscher, P.S.
02.2008 - 07.2008
Litigation Secretary
Groff Murphy, PLLC
03.2007 - 01.2008
Litigation Secretary
Forsberg & Umlauf, PS
10.2005 - 03.2007
Legal Assistant
Mosler Schermer Wallstrom Jacobs & Sieler
09.2001 - 10.2005
Paralegal Certification -
Center For Advanced Paralegals
Associate of Applied Science Degree -
Center For Advanced Paralegals
Paralegal Certification - (non-ABA approved)
Washington Works
Certificate of Completion - Business Administration
Computer Training And Administrative Program
General Studies -
West Texas A&M University
General Studies -
Frank Phillips College