Overview
Work History
Timeline
BusinessAnalyst
Cheryl A Hodge

Cheryl A Hodge

Hagerstown,Maryland

Overview

18
18
years of professional experience

Work History

Paralegal Specialist

Department of the Army
05.2024 - Current
  • Company Overview: This is a federal job
  • Review incoming officer separation cases to ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements, identifying insufficiencies in evidence or procedural deficiencies.
  • Provide expert guidance on officer separation and grade determination actions, advising stakeholders within the agency.
  • Conduct in-depth research and analysis on military administrative and personnel law issues to support case development and decision-making.
  • Review and edit official correspondence to ensure adherence to agency directives and formatting standards.
  • Create and maintain an organized electronic database tracking all agency actions for reporting and archival purposes.
  • Prepare comprehensive, annotated factual summaries of cases for review by board members, highlighting key issues and supporting documentation.
  • This is a federal job

Paralegal Specialist

Department of the Army
06.2020 - 05.2024
  • Company Overview: This is a federal job
  • Served as a Paralegal Specialist participating in the substantive development of cases in the Contract Litigation and Intellectual Property Division (KLIP) for cases arising under the Contract Disputes Act.
  • Provided effective, timely and responsive litigation support to attorneys assigned to represent the Army before the Armed Services Board of Contract and Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
  • Effectively and efficiently employed information technology platforms, e.g. Microsoft Office applications, Casemap, eDiscovery, and LexisNexis.
  • Conducted legal research to obtain information and materials requested by attorneys to find legal precedent in the area of contract appeals and/or bid protests.
  • Provide litigation case management support in court cases involving discovery procedures, court exhibits, and witnesses, including filing documents with third parties and assisting attorneys with investigations, discovery, hearings, obtaining expert witnesses, and preparation for trial.
  • Additionally, coordinated witnesses for depositions and trial, to include locating and interviewing witnesses, arranging witness travel, and assisted with the preparation of witnesses for testimony.
  • Analyzed available precedents relevant to cases for use in presenting case law summaries to trial attorneys.
  • Evaluated supporting documentation to make initial determination as to whether it is accurate and relevant and corroborate or substantiates the nature of the evidence being presented.
  • Supported Division operation by performing a variety of diverse general office administrative duties as directed by the trial attorney or supervisor.
  • Maintained accuracy and organization of case files entered into automated systems.
  • This is a federal job

Immigration Services Officer

Department of Homeland Security
01.2018 - 06.2020
  • Company Overview: This is a federal job
  • Conducted legal research, interpreted and applied appropriate statutes, regulations, and precedent decisions to make adjudicative decisions.
  • Granted or denied complex and highly sensitive applications and petitions for immigration benefits based on electronic or paper applications/petitions.
  • Interviewed applicants and petitioners to elicit statements in order to assess credibility, and analyze information to identify facts that form the basis for a decision concerning eligibility for immigration benefits.
  • Conduct security checks and provide assistance to Federal law enforcement agencies to identify individuals who are ineligible for immigration benefits due to national security, public safety, or other legal grounds.
  • Used electronic systems to provide verification of any number of established data points to make adjudicative decisions, determine level of adjudicative review, and update databases with appropriate information and decisions.
  • This is a federal job

Immigration Services Assistant

Department of Homeland Security
04.2017 - 01.2018
  • Company Overview: This is a federal job
  • Supported Immigration Services Officers by providing security checks in accordance with DHS/USCIS laws and policies; researched, collected, correlated and analyzed data to ensure the integrity of information and preparation of reports; provided direct service to customers and their representatives; and managed files, databases and correspondence.
  • Pre-screened various applications and submissions by USCIS customers for accuracy and completeness of initial supporting documentation and scheduled applicant appointments, communicated directly with applicants and their representatives.
  • Performed analysis on files, reports, and information systems and databases, updated information and maintained data integrity.
  • Produced highly sensitive documents.
  • Identified incoming applications that required expedited service or requested fee waivers and channeled those waivers through the correct work process.
  • Edited and created office documents and correspondence using office automation software, i.e. graphics, databases, spreadsheets and word processing and managed individual case files, accounted for the movement of files to other locations, conducted audits of files and was considered a records liaison with other agencies.
  • This is a federal job

Paralegal

Department of the Air Force
10.2015 - 04.2017
  • Company Overview: This is a federal job
  • Provided legal assistance, administrative, and office automation services to support the military and civilian attorneys and other legal specialists assigned to the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate.
  • Administered legal assistance support for Staff Judge Advocate and other staff attorneys.
  • Provided legal assistance to clients by advocating on their behalf regarding issues and problems caused by crime.
  • Assisted the attorneys by responding to inquiries, assessing concerns, and determining program eligibility for victim or witness services.
  • Reviewed and prepared incoming and outgoing administrative correspondence, reports, and messages prepared by attorneys for proper attachments, signatures, and compliance with Air Force policies.
  • Performed other administrative clerical duties in support of the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate.
  • This is a federal job

Legal Assistant

Naval Medical Center Portsmouth
12.2013 - 09.2015
  • Company Overview: This is a federal job
  • Received cases for administrative separation processing due to NJP, courts-martial, or direction from Naval Medical Center Portsmouth(NMCP) or other authority; reviewed entire service, health and disciplinary record of referred individuals and independently determined the appropriate administrative separation processing grounds pursuant to MILPERSMAN, NMCP instructions, and SECNAV instructions.
  • Independently prepared administrative separation documentation including letters of notification, statement of awareness and appointing orders for SJA review and Commander’s signature.
  • Researched, interpreted and applied appropriate regulations and precedent decisions to make adjudicative decisions to ensure that procedural due process was protected through the use of the appropriate separation process.
  • Reviewed correspondence for compliance with agency directives.
  • Created and maintained an electronic database of agency actions.
  • Conducted research on military administrative and personnel law matters.
  • Prepared letters of transmittal to the personnel department directing discharges in cases of locally-approved separations; drafted final letters of notification for the Commander’s signature for cases of locally-approved separations.
  • Arranged hearing dates through coordination of senior member and counsel calendars; responsible for logistical support, including hearing room location, recording equipment, and notification of all concerned regarding date, time and location.
  • Organized logistical arrangements for witnesses; additionally interviewing witnesses to identify facts pertaining to the separation board.
  • Served as recorder at administrative separation board hearings.
  • Responsible for receiving and analyzing originals of all documentary evidence for authenticity before presenting the government’s case in front of board members.
  • This is a federal job

Legal Assistant

Region Legal Service Office Mid-Atlantic
02.2010 - 12.2013
  • Company Overview: This is a federal job
  • Prepared cases for trial at Federal Court.
  • Provided litigation support for the Special Assistance U.S. Attorney (SAUSA) with case preparation for Naval Station Norfolk, Naval Air Station Oceana, Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Fort Story, and Naval Support Activity Hampton Roads Norfolk bases by creating, proofreading and checking files for accuracy pending prosecution, ensured required files/information was present as requested (e.g. criminal information packet (charges), violation notice, and incident reports).
  • Completed numerous criminal information packets and other documents and pre-trial diversion correspondence.
  • These packets include routine Criminal Information, Personal Identifier Sheets, and standard letters to the Defendants notifying them of the filed information.
  • Requested local and out-of-state certified court and DMV records.
  • Maintained the necessary documents, records, files, and referral information.
  • Screened intake calls to the SAUSA’s office, ascertaining the nature of the requests and directing callers to the appropriate staff members.
  • Demonstrated expert knowledge of personal computers and computer applications; expert in using Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, and Access.
  • Served as liaison between law enforcement agencies and the SAUSA in pre-trial preparation.
  • Ensured the SAUSA was aware of all high visibility cases.
  • Served as liaison with various base locations to deliver or retrieve evidence or correspondence.
  • This is a federal job

Deputy Clerk

Portsmouth Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court
10.2007 - 01.2010
  • Provided operational responsibilities for a high volume, fast paced office with numerous deadlines and highly sensitive and confidential matters.
  • Reviewed, processed, docketed, and monitored legal case documents related to multiple types of litigation.
  • Administered support to seven court personnel to ensure court instructions were executed and legal papers were prepared with accuracy and in accordance with court policies and procedures.
  • Analyzed and reviewed legal documents for filing in cases already docketed with the court and the filing and docketing of new cases.
  • Prepared docket sheets and other necessary records for all cases filed in the court, recorded motions, orders and other papers filed in each case; processed the termination and conclusion of cases, (e.g., court opinions, memorandum decisions, orders, motions for reconsideration, petitions for review; prepare and process mandates, court minutes and other court documents).
  • Experienced hands-on knowledge of customer service techniques, data entry skills and with strict deadlines; typed or entered information into the computer to prepare correspondence, copied information from one record to another.
  • Received, examined and docketed the record in cases involving appellate litigation, including evidentiary exhibits.
  • Drafted notices to the parties and court reporters.
  • Received and posted filing and copy fee money from attorneys or litigants.
  • Answered general inquiries for reference materials and provided procedural information.
  • Provided court record and calendar information and other general court related matters.
  • Gathered and disseminated information both over the telephone and in person at the public counter.
  • Furnished information, either in person, by telephone, or by correspondence as to the status of various cases.
  • Distributed information to judges, court staff, other deputy clerks and the public regarding court records, calendars and other general court related matters.
  • Collected and maintained future date tickler file information on timely filing of records, briefs, transcripts and other court related matters.
  • Prepared documentation for inter-court transmittal of cases, records and files amongst and between various courts.
  • Examined pro se petitions and pleadings, routing them for appropriate review and handling; drafted correspondence relating to such pro se pleadings.

Timeline

Paralegal Specialist

Department of the Army
05.2024 - Current

Paralegal Specialist

Department of the Army
06.2020 - 05.2024

Immigration Services Officer

Department of Homeland Security
01.2018 - 06.2020

Immigration Services Assistant

Department of Homeland Security
04.2017 - 01.2018

Paralegal

Department of the Air Force
10.2015 - 04.2017

Legal Assistant

Naval Medical Center Portsmouth
12.2013 - 09.2015

Legal Assistant

Region Legal Service Office Mid-Atlantic
02.2010 - 12.2013

Deputy Clerk

Portsmouth Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court
10.2007 - 01.2010

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Cheryl A Hodge