Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Certification
Languages
Timeline
Generic

BJ Menter

Syracuse

Summary

Self-motivated Legal Assistant facilitates case management for law firms. Offers a spectrum of legal services under attorney supervision, with experience in real estate, probate law, and legal research. Manages highly confidential information with professionalism and integrity. Willing to accept part-time work, remote, or remote hybrid work. I will also accept temporary legal receptionist work for vacationing staff, and remote phone answering. I have a complete, quiet, home-based office.

Overview

23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Legal Assistant & Probate Coordinator

Craig Billinson & Associates
Syracuse
08.2022 - 10.2024
  • Responsibilities included opening and closing cases undergoing both full probate and small estate administration, including documentation preparation, Surrogate Court communication, file setup, and follow-up. My main goal was to file paperwork with the court clerks to meet deadlines.
  • Researched case law, statutes, regulations, and other legal authorities to support assigned tasks.
  • Specifically, I researched town and municipal law, as well as New York law for a municipal town lawyer, and for probate and family court issues, including writing summaries.
  • I worked independently, with my direct supervisor being the firm's CEO, including moving cases with some age and moving parts to closure.
  • Proofread drafts of legal documents for accuracy in grammar and punctuation.
  • Maintained client confidentiality in all matters.
  • Conducted interviews with potential clients to obtain information relevant to pending cases.
  • Updated databases with new information received from attorneys or clients.

Legal Assistant

Law Office Of Robert Carter
Syracuse
08.2018 - 07.2022
  • While working as a part-time real estate legal assistant, I was responsible for taking and directing all incoming client phone calls, reviewing abstracts, surveys, and title reports, updating files, as well as maintaining requested curatives.
  • Answered phones promptly while providing courteous customer service.
  • Responded to client calls and inquiries to deliver applicable information.
  • I reviewed and prepared real estate legal documents, such as TPs and RPs.
  • Proofread drafts of legal documents for accuracy in grammar and punctuation.
  • I have worked on files, including clients with trusts, wills, and LLCs.
  • Maintained client confidentiality in all matters.
  • I was requested to compile a list of suggestions on how realtors can work more cohesively with real estate lawyers, and develop a better initiative plan to meet client requests more responsively.
  • Provided administrative support to boost firm's document production and legal correspondence.

PROCTOR and Office Administrator

PSI, Inc
Syracuse
07.2009 - 12.2013
  • Administer State and Federal, as well as Professional Certification tests to over 2,000 candidates.
  • Sole proctor and office administrator for Syracuse, NY office.
  • In charge of educating candidates regarding testing rules, computer instruction, monitoring testing security, providing information for reports, and discharging candidates after testing process.
  • Maintained confidentiality of all candidates and testing platforms.
  • Established office protocols which were non-existent upon my arrival, based on those from the national headquarters.
  • Increased number of candidates able to test from 1500 to 2000 annually, on a part time basis.
  • Heightened security observance and maintained a security breach-free environment for four years.
  • Established and maintained candidate tracking system in office.

Writer/Editor - Remote From Home Based Office

Verve Writing Services
Syracuse
04.2004 - 04.2010
  • Owner of an independent writing company.
  • Provided writing and editing services to local, regional, and international clients. Managed communication across different time zones and global work schedules.
  • Worked from a state-of-the-art, home-based office.
  • Self-marketed business via direct mail, social media, and Internet marketing.
  • Wrote and edited sales letters and marketing materials for businesses, public relations communications, including press releases and news alerts, and edited business communications, as well as manuscripts for clients (A.P.). style and format.
  • Researched and wrote articles for a variety of publications.
  • Conducted interviews with subject matter experts to obtain relevant information.
  • Generated ideas for new stories or topics to write about.
  • Monitored current events for potential story ideas or topics relevant to company objectives.
  • Reviewed existing content to identify opportunities for improvement or updates.
  • Edited and revised content based on feedback to meet publication standards.
  • Proofread and edited peers' writings to ensure clarity and coherence.

Personal Assistant

DeSantis Band and Orchestra
Syracuse
04.2004 - 04.2006
  • Provided basic administrative support including answering e-mails, typing correspondence and itineraries.
  • Helping with travel arrangements and logistics.
  • Direct mail and press release writing.
  • Provided support with personal schedule maintenance and adherence and calendar updating and adherence.
  • Assisted entertainment producer in streamlining office functions, reducing confusion, and established orderly administrative function.
  • Assisted with public relations and media efforts with the ultimate goal being timely release of time sensitive, media related materials.
  • Efforts assisted entertainment producer in maintaining cadre of professional performers.

Director of Community Relations

American Red Cross
Syracuse
04.2003 - 04.2004
  • In charge of public relations and supporting fundraising and development efforts for major chapter of national not for profit.
  • Oversaw a staff of three.
  • Supported crisis management communications for the agency.
  • Boosted public awareness through increased public relations efforts including press releases, conferences, news alerts, increased social media presence and promoting the agency through new media venues and markets.
  • Increased funding and supported donor relations by development of new written materials, events planning expertise, and crisis management efforts.

Marketing Specialist

American Red Cross of New York State
Syracuse
07.2001 - 04.2003
  • Based in Syracuse, NY, supported chapter development, marketing, and outreach efforts across New York state for national not for profit organization.
  • Responsible for developing new state wide marketing and networking opportunities to increase visibility of chapters and knowledge of their work on behalf of their communities.
  • Provided additional state wide marketing support to the New York office during 9/11.
  • Established cooperative efforts between smaller chapters to publicize and promote work.
  • Arranged state wide Financial Development conference.
  • Assisted in arranging state wide chapter development conference.
  • Arranged regional chapter conferences to promote training.
  • Built first state web site using FrontPage 2000 to promote chapters.
  • Created new networking/cooperative marketing effort between the NY State Police and state chapters.

Education

B.A. - Theater

State University of New York At Oswego
Oswego, NY

A.B.A. Certificate - Paralegal Studies

University College
Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY

A.S. - Liberal Arts And Sciences

Tompkins Cortland Community College
Dryden, NY

Skills

  • WordPress
  • Typing
  • Social media
  • SEO optimization
  • Microsoft Office Word - proficient
  • Microsoft Excel - beginner
  • Notary: studying in preparation for the test
  • Google Docs
  • Zoom
  • Basic office machines, including fax, printers, and multi-line phone systems
  • Retail and media sales skills
  • Filing
  • Copywriting
  • Legal research
  • Document preparation
  • Case management
  • Court filings
  • Client communication
  • Confidentiality maintenance
  • Database management
  • Time management
  • Effective communication
  • Problem solving
  • Team collaboration
  • Deadline management
  • Critical thinking
  • Legal/Court processes
  • Customer relationship management
  • Legal terminology
  • Writing and editing
  • Legal document preparation
  • Contracts oversight
  • Litigation support
  • Microsoft office
  • Contract review
  • Client service and support
  • Multi-line switchboard
  • Document control
  • Exceptional telephone etiquette
  • Legal research and writing
  • Administrative assistance
  • Correspondence
  • File organization
  • Proofreading
  • Legal writing
  • Interviewing clients
  • Cross-functional communication
  • Ethics compliance
  • Document editing

Accomplishments

  • I am accomplished in the not-for-profit sector in grant writing, local and state foundation writing and obtainment, including obtaining a Community Block Development grant, a Kreske Foundation grant, and development of an Endowment Program for a vocational rehabilitation center in Central NY.
  • As Development/Marketing Head of a vocational rehabilitation center, I attracted the interest of the Vice-President of the United States who recorded a congratulatory video for our high achieving clients.
  • As General Manager of the Ithaca Ballet Company, I obtained the company's first international recognition with a write up in Victoria magazine.
  • I was chosen to be a member of the Honor Society of both colleges I attended after my first year at each.

Certification

A.B.A. approved Paralegal Certificate

Languages

America Signed Language
Limited

Timeline

Legal Assistant & Probate Coordinator

Craig Billinson & Associates
08.2022 - 10.2024

Legal Assistant

Law Office Of Robert Carter
08.2018 - 07.2022

PROCTOR and Office Administrator

PSI, Inc
07.2009 - 12.2013

Writer/Editor - Remote From Home Based Office

Verve Writing Services
04.2004 - 04.2010

Personal Assistant

DeSantis Band and Orchestra
04.2004 - 04.2006

Director of Community Relations

American Red Cross
04.2003 - 04.2004

Marketing Specialist

American Red Cross of New York State
07.2001 - 04.2003

B.A. - Theater

State University of New York At Oswego

A.B.A. Certificate - Paralegal Studies

University College

A.S. - Liberal Arts And Sciences

Tompkins Cortland Community College

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