CAROL A. YAWN
Bradenton,Florida
Summary
Dedicated legal assistant with a strong background in case management and client relations. Skilled in preparing legal documents, monitoring compliance deadlines, and providing administrative support to attorneys, ensuring accuracy and efficiency in all processes.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
Work History
Legal Assistant
Luhrsen Goldberg LLC
04.2021 - Current
- Prepared and e-filed pleadings for guardianship and probate cases, ensuring compliance with legal deadlines.
- Monitored guardianship cases for initial and annual report deadlines, facilitating timely reporting.
- Coordinated meetings, estate planning signings, and hearing schedules to streamline client interactions.
- Maintained open lines of communication with clients, opposing counsel, and court officials to support case objectives.
- Aided in the preparation of estate planning documents, ensuring accuracy and compliance with legal standards.
- Provided backup support to the receptionist, facilitating seamless service for client inquiries and appointments.
Legal Assistant
Proctor Elder Law, P.A
Bradenton, Florida
05.2020 - 04.2021
- Prepare and E-file pleadings in relation to Guardianship and Probate cases.
- Monitor Guardianship cases for Annual Plan and Annual Accounting deadlines.
- Organized and recorded attorney time entries for billing, preparing client invoices to ensure accurate and timely billing.
- Answered incoming calls and coordinated meetings and hearings to support effective case management.
- Provided administrative support including file setup, correspondence, and ordering office supplies to maintain efficient office operations.
Legal Assistant
Feld Entertainment
Palmetto, Florida
10.2018 - 03.2020
- Provided comprehensive administrative support to two attorneys, including file setup, correspondence management, expense report preparation, meeting scheduling, supply ordering, and call handling.
- Review initial draft of sponsorship, media and licensing agreements and redline necessary changes.
- Conducted business entity and Google searches to verify accurate sponsor names for contracts and agreements.
- Reviewed invoices from outside counsel and coded for prompt payment approval.
- Prepared Florida Apostille with Florida Department of State.
- Submitted reports detailing copyright and trademark infringements of online businesses to appropriate authorities.
Bankruptcy Manager, Special Assets Department
IBERIABANK
Sarasota, Florida
09.2015 - 05.2018
- Managed performance and development of four associates in Bankruptcy Department to ensure operational efficiency.
- Review Chapter 13 Plan or Statement of Intention along with loan documents to include Note, Mortgage, Loan Modification Agreements, Judgments etc. to determine best plan of action for the bank.
- Drafted pleadings, including Proof of Claims, Reaffirmation Agreements, Motions, and Orders, to support legal processes and communications with borrowers and attorneys.
- Work directly with bank hired attorneys on problem cases.
- Monitored court docket for actions related to bank cases to ensure compliance until Bankruptcy completion.
- Process payments to loans received from the Chapter 13 Trustees.
- Enter new case data into Bankruptcy program timely and accurately.
- Review and authorize payment on invoices received from outside counsel.
- Provide payoff or reinstatement figures to borrowers / attorneys.
- Assisted with recruiting, hiring and training of new employees.
- Performed annual performance evaluations.
- Applied accurate coding to loan records for credit bureau reporting. to the loans for reporting to the credit bureaus.
Case Auditing Supervisor
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Trustee
Bradenton, Florida
11.2000 - 03.2015
- Performed extensive detailed audits throughout the life of the bankruptcy case.
- Monitored Tax Returns for compliance with Court Order and file Motions to dismiss when in default.
- Calculated and provided payoff figures to debtors and attorneys.
- Draft and file pleadings to include Objections, Motions, Order allowing & Disallowing Claims and Notices of Completion.
- Examined monthly disbursement reports for accuracy and compliance. disbursement reports.
- Determined eligibility for Discharge after final audit was completed.
- Managed the performance of 3 associates.
- Provided support to 4 staff Attorneys to include providing calculations to determine feasibility of plan as well as modifications. Draft miscellaneous letters.
- Conducted annual performance evaluations to assess staff contributions and align development goals.
Bankruptcy Legal Assistant
Holland & Knight
Orlando, Florida
03.1994 - 11.2000
- Prepared and filed pleadings on behalf of the attorney, such as Notice of Appearances, Reaffirmation Agreements, Motions for Relief from Stay and Proof of Claim.
- Entered new cases into company database, ensuring accuracy and timely updates for case management.
- Managed attorney time entries for billing, facilitating accurate invoicing and financial tracking.
- Answered telephone and email inquiries from clients, vendors and the public.
- Appointment – Florida Notary
Education
High School Diploma -
Colonial High School
Orlando, FL05-1987
Skills
- E-filing and preparation
- Legal documentation
- Case management systems
- Billing software
- Legal research tools
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Organizational skills
- Attention to detail
- Client communication
Timeline
Legal Assistant
Luhrsen Goldberg LLC
04.2021 - Current
Legal Assistant
Proctor Elder Law, P.A
05.2020 - 04.2021
Legal Assistant
Feld Entertainment
10.2018 - 03.2020
Bankruptcy Manager, Special Assets Department
IBERIABANK
09.2015 - 05.2018
Case Auditing Supervisor
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Trustee
11.2000 - 03.2015
Bankruptcy Legal Assistant
Holland & Knight
03.1994 - 11.2000
High School Diploma -
Colonial High School