A motivated self-starter, with a unique skillset to get things done without sacrificing extraordinary standards. An accomplished attorney and teacher, with fifteen years of supporting clients in multi-various legal scenarios. Communicates clearly and effectively with clients, opposing counsel, judges, and anyone in any situation. Adept at developing and maintaining professional and personal relationships.
Overview
39
39
years of professional experience
Work History
Staff Attorney
Law Offices Of John C. Colwell, A PLC
Chula Vista, California
06.2008 - Current
Conduct prospective client intake interviews, and provide legal information, referrals and advocacy to determine potential courses of action for United States Code Title 11 bankruptcy relief, and non-bankruptcy issues.
Assess cases for probable outcomes by researching black letter law and other legal authority, comparing fact patterns to those of precedential cases. Analyze probable outcomes of cases using knowledge of legal precedents. Perform legal research and confer with colleagues with subject matter expertise to develop strategies and arguments in preparation for presentation of cases.
Provide legal advice to a variety of individuals and small business situations involved in multiple types of litigation.
Advocate for clients before court in oral argument by presenting facts and evidence in the most favorable, persuasive light.
Track and research developing precedent and legislation in Bankruptcy law to maintain expertise and best advise and advocate for clients.
Aid homeowners in resolving home mortgage disputes, and negotiate home mortgage modifications and alternative mitigation efforts for distressed homeowners.
Operate specialized (bankruptcy) legal software such as Bankruptcy Pro, Bestcase, CINCompass, and the LegalPro Systems, Inc. Jubilee.
Routinely file timely case pleadings to meet firm and client deadlines.
Work with management and staff in house, and with competing attorneys and firms to resolve pre-litigation disputes.
Manage a high-volume caseload.
Maintain exceptional rapport with court personnel and the judicial bench fostering professionalism and credibility.
Work cooperatively with staff and other attorneys to achieve organizational objectives. Considered a "goto" resource by staff, and attorney peers for creative situational and client solutions.
Participate in teaching continuing legal education (CLE) classes in bankruptcy to other legal professionals.
Staff Attorney
Doan Law Firm
Carlsbad, CA
06.2007 - 06.2008
Conducted prospective client intake interviews to assess qualification for bankruptcy.
Analyzed credit reporting functions, and assisted in sending cease & desist letters to creditors of retained clients.
Drafted bankruptcy petitions, and performed client signing and review appointments.
Advocated for clients before court in section 341 oral examination proceedings, and in oral argument in front of the assigned bankruptcy tribunal.
Helped homeowners in resolving home mortgage disputes loss mitigation efforts. Filed Chapter 13 bankruptcy cases in furtherance of home retention.
Operated all ancillary software systems in support of client communication and case management.
Became a expert in working with clients and managing expectations.
Associate Attorney
Marcus Law Firm
El Centro, CA
02.2006 - 06.2007
Conducted client interviews to assess marital dissolution, family custody, property, and spousal/child support relief matters.
Drafted pleadings and completed necessary judicial council forms in support of all family law matters related to client representation.
Excelled in client communications, and managed client expectations for the best results. Worked with opposing counsel toward reasonable solutions.
Prosecuted and defended emergency "ex parte" requests in court for all family law matters.
Litigated trials, presenting oral and written evidence on property division, resolving child custody, and financial (spousal/child) support matters in the family law court.
Technical Instructor (Evening/Part-Time)
Associated Technical College
San Diego, CA
03.1999 - 08.2005
Taught all technical areas within a seven (7) month telecommunications curriculum to post-secondary students in furtherance of their certification and placement in an entry-level "technology" job. Prospective employers were Cox Cable, AT&T, and similar skill-set employers and positions.
Maintained telecommunications and personal computer equipment for the school.
Taught subject matter expert classes in electronics and personal computer configuration and repair.
Performed small-group tutoring, and counseled students in furtherance of obtaining their certifications, and resume preparation and interviewing skills toward securing employment.
Owner/Operator
Action West Vending, Inc.
Spring Valley, Cali
03.1995 - 07.2004
Oversaw day-to-day corporate business operations with a business partner.
Consulted with customers and responded to service calls to assess needs and propose optimal solutions for their retail vending (drinks/food machinery) needs.
Trained and motivated employees to perform daily operational tasks for their positions (6 employees and 1 business partner).
Acted as the "technical liaison" for company operations, and managed all logistics and repairs for the company.
Computer Programmer
PRC, Inc. (now Northrup Grumman)
San Diego, CA
06.1991 - 05.1995
Built, tested and deployed scalable, highly available and modular software products for government contracts with the United States Navy.
Consulted regularly with internal customers on application development project status, new project proposals and software-related technical issues.
Onsite installer and tester of customized software onto hardware onboard US Navy ships in their combat systems environments.
Performed regression and system-level testing to verify software quality and function prior to release.
Technical Instructor (Master Training Specialist)
United States Navy
San Diego, CA
03.1988 - 04.1991
Taught "search" radar system theory and repair to US Navy sailors, preparing them for the technical support responsibilities on their present or prospective shipboard environments.
Oversaw technical documentation, instruction and evaluation to meet the US Naval Station San Diego education initiatives.
Cultivated customized curriculum and course content to address organizational technology training mandates.
Obtained the rigorous "Master Training Specialist" certification, reserved for the most gifted instructors.
Performed periodic evaluations to (non-Master Training Specialist) instructors for competency in teaching to meet the minimum standards of course instruction. Evaluated other Master Training Specialists to ensure continue excellence in instructional methodology.
Education
J.D. - Doctorate of Jurisprudence - Law
Concord University
Los Angeles, CA
12.2005
Bachelor of Science - Management Information Systems
Chapman University
Orange, CA
05.1992
Associate of Arts - Business
National University
San Diego, CA
03.1989
Skills
Task Oriented Self Starter
Critical Thinker & Creative Problem Solver
Active Listener
Strong Law Interpretation & Adaptation Skills
Clear & Effective Communicator
Collaborative Team Builder
Gifted Client & Case Manager
Friend of Technology
Compassionate & Caring
Timeline
Staff Attorney
Law Offices Of John C. Colwell, A PLC
06.2008 - Current
Staff Attorney
Doan Law Firm
06.2007 - 06.2008
Associate Attorney
Marcus Law Firm
02.2006 - 06.2007
Technical Instructor (Evening/Part-Time)
Associated Technical College
03.1999 - 08.2005
Owner/Operator
Action West Vending, Inc.
03.1995 - 07.2004
Computer Programmer
PRC, Inc. (now Northrup Grumman)
06.1991 - 05.1995
Technical Instructor (Master Training Specialist)
United States Navy
03.1988 - 04.1991
J.D. - Doctorate of Jurisprudence - Law
Concord University
Bachelor of Science - Management Information Systems
Chapman University
Associate of Arts - Business
National University
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