Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Work Availability
Timeline
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Crystal M. Jones

Crystal M. Jones

Summary

Resourceful Manager of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and problem-solver. Responsible for supporting and implementing policies, programs, processes, and initiatives to meet the firm's strategic objectives related to DEI with attorneys and staff. Responsible for advancing the firm's initiatives to attract, develop, retain, and promote attorneys and staff across its offices. Establishing and maintaining strong rapport with practice groups, firm committees, and business departments to identify DEI challenges and opportunities and to communicate and implement DEI goals and priorities.

Overview

24
24
years of professional experience

Work History

Manager of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP
07.2021 - Current
  • Currently leading efforts for Parker Poe to become a Manfield certified law firm.
  • Establish and maintain strong rapport with practice groups, firm committees, and business departments to identify DEI challenges and opportunities and to communicate and implement DEI goals and priorities.
  • Advise the firm's DEI partners on firmwide DEI strategy and support their work within the practice groups to build diverse and productive internal teams.
  • Assess and manage opportunities to partner with clients on DEI priorities as well as DEI-related content for RFPs and client surveys.
  • Work collaboratively to support the firm's affinity groups by working with group leaders to develop goals, manage budgets, and plan events and programs to provide support for, advocacy of, and celebration of underrepresented communities.
  • Identify current best practices, trends, developments, and research to support inclusion efforts at the firm and support implementation of appropriate policies, initiatives, and processes across the firm to improve engagement, inclusion, and belonging.
  • Support the design, development and execution of DEI programs, events, communications, education, training, workshops, resources, initiatives, and best practices on various topics throughout the firm.
  • Partner with office administrators and other firm leadership to effectively embed DEI practices and perspectives firmwide in connection with the Firm's overall DEI strategy.
  • Resolve staff member conflicts, actively listening to concerns and finding appropriate middle ground.
  • Project Manager for THRIVE, a program for minority law school students.
  • Project Manager for Firm's Community Outreach efforts.

Legal Practice Assistant

Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein
10.1998 - 07.2021
  • Contacted witnesses to testify under oath at court hearings.
  • Produced legal documents such as briefs, pleadings and appeals.
  • Prepared and drafted correspondence and legal forms to maintain smooth communications.
  • Completed electronic filings, initiated billing statements, and managed firm administrative matters.
  • Collaborated with attorneys to develop strategies for each case.
  • Coordinated with court personnel and attorneys to determine scheduling of hearings and filing documents.
  • Organized documents to manage paper and electronic filing systems of clients.
  • Prepared and managed attorney travel itineraries to optimize scheduling.
  • Revised and finalized letters, briefs, and memos.
  • Communicated pertinent information to clients via phone, email, and mail.
  • Created weekly, monthly and quarterly expense reports.
  • Worked alongside attorneys, administrative assistants, and fellow legal assistants on complex cases and legal processes.
  • Created spreadsheets to track client progress and document billable hours.
  • Prepared various exhibits for attorneys for public meetings, zoning commission meetings, and legal resolutions.
  • Developed polished motions and briefs to support litigation processes and court proceedings.
  • Attended court hearings and depositions to take notes and document proceedings.
  • Provided administrative support to the Director of Recruiting and Professional Development and the Director of Diversity.
  • Supported daily activities of the Employment Group Practice Group Leader, Department Chair, Board Member, Diversity Committee Chair and one Associate.
    Responsible for obtaining CLE credit for all firm sponsored CLEs for NC, SC and GA
  • Plan and manage out-of-office events for clients and Parker Poe attorneys.
  • Plan and manage after-hours activities for summer clerks during summer program.
  • Project Manager for THRIVE, a program for minority law school students.
  • Project Manager for Firm's Community Outreach efforts.
  • Handled office scheduling and made notes for deadlines, motions, and other important dates.

Education

Master of Arts - Communications

Kaplan University
Davenport, IA
02.2014

Skills

  • Dependable and Responsible
  • Teamwork and Collaboration
  • Decision-Making
  • MS Office
  • Multitasking Abilities
  • Problem-Solving
  • Clerical Support
  • Planning and Coordination
  • Analytical and Critical Thinking
  • Self-Motivated
  • Flexible and Adaptable
  • Active Listening
  • Cultural Awareness

Accomplishments

2022 Unsung Hero award recipient from NC Lawyers Weekly.

Work Availability

monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Timeline

Manager of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP
07.2021 - Current

Legal Practice Assistant

Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein
10.1998 - 07.2021

Master of Arts - Communications

Kaplan University

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Crystal M. Jones