Crystal Gaines

Independently conduct bench trials for serious felony offenses including presentation of key evidence and exhibits during trials. Oversee discovery and document production for all cases. Perform extensive legal research on a variety of complex substantive and procedural matters. Regularly draft, respond to and argue Fourth, Fifth and Six Amendment motions. Established productive working relationships with public officials and law enforcement officers. Draft memoranda on litigation strategy and case resolution for the Attorney General, regarding media cases. Conduct preliminary witness interviews with local and federal law enforcement, eye witnesses, and victims. Supervise, manage, and train legal interns and law clerks. Negotiate agreements and case resolutions with opposing counsel. Attend and participate in community events on behalf of agency.

Seven-month detail position. Developed strategies and arguments for hearings, trials and appeals. Independently managed a large caseload from arraignment to trial. Draft and argue various motions. First-chair bench trials and handled plea negotiations with opposing counsel. Develop detailed litigation strategies for each case. Compile and evaluate evidence. Interview and prepare witnesses, victims, and law enforcement for hearings.

Prepare various documentation for employment discrimination and business law litigation. Prepared clients for and attended depositions and administrative proceedings before government agencies. Provided legal counsel to clients on diverse business and civil matters. Developed legal strategies to protect client interests and resolve disputes related to employment discrimination and other civil matters.

Oversaw all human resources and accounting for firm. Represented clients in all aspects of case management (i.e, pleading preparation, discovery oversight, legal research/writing, motion practice, case management, advocacy, settlement, etc.) Managed all trial preparation for family law and personal injury litigation. Successfully negotiated settlements with opposing counsel. Explained available courses of action and possible repercussions of cases to clients. Created and finalized contracts and other legal documents for clients.

Handled a variety of family law matters, ranging from child custody to high-asset divorce. Prepare for, take and defend depositions related to high-asset litigation. Manage voluminous discovery request and production. Independently conduct various types of hearings and trials regarding all stages of civil litigation. Communicated with clients and collected information to research cases and prepare settlement offers. Developed strategies for court proceedings and negotiations. Created and finalized settlement agreements and other legal documents for clients.

Researched laws, court decisions and other documents relevant to cases before court and drafted bench memoranda to aide in judge's decision-making. Managed administrative duties such as filing documents, scheduling meetings and tracking case statuses. Coordinated and prepared exhibits and other materials for hearings. Draft post-conviction habeas corpus and corum nobis relief opinions.