Bethenise Monestime
Linden,NJ
Summary
Results-driven professional skilled in researching legal case information and preparing necessary correspondence with strong understanding of legal terminology and processes. Adept in maintaining confidential records and client information. Pleasantly assists attorneys in preparing for trials and other legal proceedings.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Litigation Legal Assistant/Calendar Coordinator
McGivney,Kluger,Clark&Intoccia PC
Florham Park, NJ
10.2022 - Current
- Organized evidence, exhibits, motions, and subpoenas to support cases and prepare for trial.
- Scheduled legal videographer, digital court reporter and production assistant.
- Completed electronic court filings at state and federal levels.
- Contacted clients to schedule appointments and discuss progress of cases.
- Researched statutes, decisions, legal articles, and codes.
- Assisted 4 attorneys with reviewing and organizing witness reports.
- Revised and finalized letters, briefs, and memos.
- Reviewed, edited and proofread litigation for proper grammar, spelling and punctuation.
- Conducted background investigations on defendant.
- Developed polished motions and briefs to support litigation processes and court proceedings.
- Provided backup to front desk to step in to assist with various tasks whenever employee was absent or at lunch.
- Schedule appointments and manage attorney calendars
- Confirmed appointments, communicated with clients, and updated client records.
PARALEGAL/LEGAL ASSISTANT
Celentano, Stadtmauer&Walentowicz
Clifton, NJ
04.2019 - 10.2022
- Draft pleadings, discovery demands and responses, motions, subpoenas, letters, authorizations, emails, etc and maintain documents in paper or electronic filing system
- Set up and update clients, matters and timekeepers in systems
- Enter billable hours into time and billing system
- Calendaring meetings, depositions, conference calls and court appearances
- E-Filing in State and Federal Courts
- Managing records, projects and calendars to make sure everything functions smoothly
- Transcribing and proofreading legal documents
- Indexing and updating pleadings and discovery binders
- Reviewed, edited and proofread litigation for proper grammar, spelling and punctuation.
- Open and close files
- Supporting legal research and communicating with vendors, experts, Lawyers, opposing counsel and other staff
- Assisting in client intake process
- File documents in State and Federal Courts
- Assist with trial preparation
- Prepare legal documents including pleadings, motions, affidavits, complaints, legal memorandum
- E-file all court documents in state and federal court
- Organize exhibits, documents, evidence, briefs, and appendices
- Aid attorney with interrogatories and other discovery requests
PARALEGAL/LEGAL ASSISTANT
Fein,Such,Kahn&Shepard PC
Parsippany, NJ
05.2015 - 03.2019
- Set up and update clients, matters and timekeepers in systems
- Assisted 4 attorneys in preparing answers, providing documentation, and information for discovery request.
- Communicated with clients, opposing counsel and court personnel to keep all parties informed on case updates.
- Assisted 4 attorneys in preparation of settlement proposals and agreements to help attorneys negotiate settlement in best interest of client.
- E-Filing in State and Federal Courts
- Transcribing and proofreading legal documents
- Indexing and updating pleadings and discovery binders
- Open and close files
- Supporting legal research and communicating with vendors, experts, Lawyers, opposing counsel and other staff
- Assisting in client intake process
- File documents in State and Federal Courts
- Assist with trial preparation
- Prepare legal documents including pleadings, motions, affidavits, complaints, legal memorandum
- E-file all court documents in state and federal court
- Prepare trial binders and exhibits
- Organize exhibits, documents, evidence, briefs, and appendices
- Aid attorney with interrogatories and other discovery requests
LEGAL SECRETARY/ASSISTANT
Sterling Law Firm
Burlington, NJ
02.2012 - 04.2014
- Coordinated trial exhibits, including organizing materials, drafting legal documents, and preparing materials for display
- Gathered and analyzed research data, such as statutes, decisions, and legal articles, codes, and documents
- Prepared affidavits or other documents, such as legal correspondence, and organized and maintained documents in paper or electronic filing system
- Scheduled and made appointments
- Tracked hours and bills to clients
- Responded promptly and professionally to clients and other involved parties to gather and track case information
- Greeted visitors or callers and handled their inquiries
- Inputted edits into wide variety of legal forms, Pleadings, Discovery Requests, Responses and Correspondence
- Arranged documents in proper legal format
- Updated and maintained case file
- Copying/Faxing Documents
- Travel research and arrangements
- Coordinated meetings
- Phone coverage
- ECF Filing and Service.
Legal Assistant
Emery Celli Brinckerhoff Abady Ward & Maazel LLP
Newark, NJ
05.2009 - 07.2011
- Scheduled appointments, court appearances, and depositions for busy law firm.
- Worked alongside attorneys, administrative assistants, and fellow legal assistants on complex cases and legal processes.
- Filed court documents and legal pleadings with court clerk on behalf of attorneys.
- Assisted with trial preparation, including creation of exhibits, compilation of witness lists, and organization of evidence materials.
- Coordinated with court personnel and attorneys to determine scheduling of hearings and filing documents.
- Prepared and managed attorney travel itineraries to optimize scheduling.
- Reduced errors in court filings by meticulously proofreading documents for accuracy before submission.
SALES ASSOCIATE/CASHIER
Lord&Taylor
11.2008 - 05.2011
- Greeted customers and ascertained what each customer wants or needs
- Answered customer questions about sizing, accessories, and merchandise care.
- Computed sales prices, total purchases and received and processed cash or credit payment
- Ticketed, arranged and displayed merchandise to promote sales
- Exchanged merchandise for customers and accepted returns
- Bagged or packaged purchases, and wrapped gifts
- Helped customers try on or fit merchandise.
- Used in-store system to locate inventory and place special orders for customers.
Education
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Criminal Justice
KEAN UNIVERSITY
Union, NJ05.2015
Associate in Science (A.S.) - Paralegal Studies
ESSEX COUNTY COLLEGE
Newark, NJ05.2011
High School Diploma -
Irvington High School
Irvington, NJ06.2008
Skills
- Law Office Support
- Legal Research
- Client Relations
- Legal Terminology
- Records Management
- Advanced user of MS Word, Excel, Outlook and SharePoint
Familiar with legal research programs (Westlaw, LexisNexis) - State and Federal E-Filing Procedures
- Calendaring and Scheduling
Certification
Paralegal Certificate
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Litigation Legal Assistant/Calendar Coordinator
McGivney,Kluger,Clark&Intoccia PC
10.2022 - Current
PARALEGAL/LEGAL ASSISTANT
Celentano, Stadtmauer&Walentowicz
04.2019 - 10.2022
PARALEGAL/LEGAL ASSISTANT
Fein,Such,Kahn&Shepard PC
05.2015 - 03.2019
LEGAL SECRETARY/ASSISTANT
Sterling Law Firm
02.2012 - 04.2014
Legal Assistant
Emery Celli Brinckerhoff Abady Ward & Maazel LLP
05.2009 - 07.2011
SALES ASSOCIATE/CASHIER
Lord&Taylor
11.2008 - 05.2011
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Criminal Justice
KEAN UNIVERSITY
Associate in Science (A.S.) - Paralegal Studies
ESSEX COUNTY COLLEGE
High School Diploma -
Irvington High School
Paralegal Certificate
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