Ashley J. Giarratano
Paralegal
Metairie,La
Summary
Proficient Technologically-savvy Paralegal with expertise in IP law, trial preparation, criminal and civil litigation. Organized and resourceful with extensive experience in gathering materials for cases and maintaining open communication between parties. Ambitious secretary who is driven to provide exceptional administrative support and customer service. Strengths include legal research, time management, and trial preparation. Clear knowledge of court processes and legal proceedings. Prepared to bring six-plus years of experience to a challenging new role at a local Law Firm.
Overview
1
1
Certification
5
5
years of post-secondary education
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Freelance/Virtual Secretary (Owner)
AdmitIt Virtual Secretarial Solutions
Virtual And/or Local, Louisiana
01.2015 - Current
- Managed electronic and paper filing systems by updating paperwork, maintaining documents and accurately recording information.
- Completed administrative tasks by performing business correspondence, transcription and data entry.
- Conferred with customers by telephone, chat or email to provide information about goods and services provided per client.
- Executed travel arrangements by researching and booking flights and accommodations.
- Effectively supported time sensitive meetings, taking in-depth notes and disseminating minutes to all attendees.
- Built and maintained excellent customer relationships through timely response to inquiries and going above and beyond to accommodate unusual requests.
- Managed accounts and client records of clients, observing confidentiality and extreme discretion.
- Worked alongside attorneys, administrative assistants and fellow legal assistants on complex cases and legal processes.
- Reviewed, edited and proofread legislation drafts for proper grammar, spelling, punctuation and formatting.
- Interviewed and prepared intake sheets for clients in English.
- Organized key evidence exhibits to prepare for trials.
- Prepared case summaries for mediation conferences.
- Completed document revisions, court document filings, travel arrangements and client billing.
- Prepared for trials, conducting legal research and drafting pleadings.
- Created interrogatory documents and requests for admissions, document productions, examinations and inspections.
- Directed and coordinated law office activities, including service of subpoenas and scheduling of depositions.
- Worked with community to increase local firm's presence and assisted partners with reputation management and branding.
- Conferred with clients and other involved parties to gather and track case information.
- Scheduled appointments, court appearances and depositions for busy law firms.
- Filed all court documents and legal pleadings with court clerk on behalf of attorneys.
- Transcribed all weekly and bi-weekly calendar meetings.
- Supported partners and associates in areas of appellate and complex commercial litigation.
- Worked closely with litigation attorneys to research, complete trial preparations and create document drafts for court use.
- Created highly researched and articulate legal paperwork such as pleadings, contracts and briefs.
- Completed electronic filings, initiated billing statements and managed all firm administrative matters.
- Researched state laws and regulations and delivered analysis and assessments to Associates.
- Maintained litigation docket and calendars for multiple attorneys, noting deadlines for responsive pleadings, motions and other important deadlines.
- Assisted litigation attorneys with research, depositions, trial preparation, discovery and document drafts for court submittal.
- Adhered to privacy laws to avert possible information breaches and protect client data.
Legal Secretary
Garvey, Smith, Nehrbass, & North, LLC
Metairie, LA
01.2008 - 11.2014
- Intellectual Property: Patent, Trademark and Copyright Law and Litigation (Reason for leaving Maternity).
- Examined and generated memos on statutory law, case law and federal and state regulations using online research databases, such as Westlaw, and print sources.
- Cooperated with legal teams to create performance documents for curative action planning.
- Drafted correspondence and documentation and disseminated materials to appropriate parties.
- Researched innovative methods of adding value to key client relationships by providing timely material to facilitate frequent interactions with clients.
- Trained and managed one employees in best practices and protocols to realize maximum productivity.
- Partnered with colleagues in litigation to handle intellectual property claims.
- Drafted and negotiated intellectual property and marketing provisions in contracts and releases.
- Oversaw company's global trademark, patent and domain name portfolios and managed prosecution of trademarks and patents.
- Drafted motions, petitions and waivers.
- Apprised clients of potential risks and costs associated with each course of action.
- Researched and wrote contracts, agreements and proposals.
- Researched, wrote and filed all motions, writs and briefs for each case.
- Diligently edited legal correspondence for grammar and spelling.
- Filed documents with courts on behalf of attorney.
- Supported team of four attorneys in practice of Intellectual Property law.
- Performed administrative tasks, including revising and finalizing letters, briefs and memos.
- Coordinated trial exhibits by organizing materials, writing documentation and preparing digital materials and displays.
- Counseled business clients and colleagues across organization on trademark, copyright and patent law.
- Created and modified USPTO documents and forms.
- Scheduled all appointments, appearances and briefings.
Administrative Coordinator
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN SERVICES LLC
Metairie, LA
05.2004 - 2008
- Prepared detailed documents and reports in adherence administrative processes.
- Worked closely with others to accomplish timely invoicing and accounts receivables.
- Monitored and directed incoming mail and prepared outgoing mail.
- Made travel arrangements for staff members.
- Collaborated in timely processing of billing and accounts receivables.
- Established efficient workflow processes, monitored daily productivity and implemented modifications to improve overall effectiveness of personnel and activities.
- Interpreted management directives to define and document administrative staff processes.
- Tracked and recorded expenses and reconciled accounts to maintain accurate, current and compliant financial records.
- Improved office operations by automating client correspondence, record tracking and data communications.
- Optimized organizational systems for payment collections, AP/AR, deposits and recordkeeping.
- Enhanced collaboration between team members by preparing meeting materials and taking clear notes to distribute to stakeholders.
- Performed billing, collection and reporting functions for office generating over million dollars annually.
Complex Vault Teller
J.P. Morgan Chase Bank
01.2004 - 12.2007
- Balanced staff and vault at end of day and secured monies in accordance with established procedures.
- Reconciled branch reports and general ledger accounts to identify unusual transactions, fraud and accounting errors.
- Assigned and distributed workflow to support efficient and effective front line operations.
- Properly processed deposits, withdrawals and payments for average of 200 plus deposits daily.
- Complied with security and internal control procedures and policies and conducted mandatory trainings to educate staff on new and existing processes.
- Performed vault, alarm and door duties to facilitate opening and closing of operations.
- Maintained up-to-date and comprehensive knowledge on robbery procedures to employ strategies to deter robbers and further improve branch security.
- Complied with all internal controls and federal regulations by implementing specific methods.
- Completed highly accurate, high-volume money counts via both manual and machine-driven approaches.
Education
Associate of Arts - Social Sciences
Delgado Community College
New Orleans, LA 01.2017 - 05.2021
Bachelor of Arts - Legal Studies And Paralegal
Tulane University
New Orleans, LA 04.2021 - Current
Associate of Arts - Early Childhood Education
Delgado Community College
New Orleans, LA 01.2021 - Current
Skills
Meeting arrangements
Meeting minutes
Payroll and budgeting
Documentation and control
Filing and data archiving
Customer relations and communications
Multi-line phone proficiency
Social media knowledge
Document filing
Civil law
Proficient in MS Office
Criminal laws
Litigation support
Document preparation
Legal Research
Corporate law
Exceptional writer
Court transcription
Teamwork
Flexible & Adaptable
Cultural awareness
MS Office
Leadership
Legal jargon knowledge
Electronic filing understanding
Hearing preparation
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Certification
First Aid/CPR Certified
Quote
A lazy man's job is ten times harder
Ashley Giarratano
Additional Information
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-giarratano-839975100
Timeline
Bachelor of Arts - Legal Studies And Paralegal
Tulane University
04.2021 - Current
Associate of Arts - Early Childhood Education
Delgado Community College
01.2021 - Current
First Aid/CPR Certified
01-2021
Associate of Arts - Social Sciences
Delgado Community College
01.2017 - 05.2021
Freelance/Virtual Secretary (Owner)
AdmitIt Virtual Secretarial Solutions
01.2015 - Current
Legal Secretary
Garvey, Smith, Nehrbass, & North, LLC
01.2008 - 11.2014
Administrative Coordinator
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN SERVICES LLC
05.2004 - 2008
Complex Vault Teller
J.P. Morgan Chase Bank
01.2004 - 12.2007