Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Affiliations
Timeline
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Debra Shepardson Harris

Phoenix,AZ

Summary

Experienced Legal Assistant/Paralegal with 20+ years experience working for some of the most well-respected firms in the Valley. Professional background in civil litigation, focusing primarily on plaintiff’s cases (personal injury, product liability, aviation litigation, medical malpractice) as well as defense and business litigation. Seasoned collaborator experienced in meeting needs, improving processes and exceeding requirements in team environments. Strong communication and task prioritization skills.

Overview

13
13
years of professional experience

Work History

Contract Legal Assistant/Paralegal

Self Employed
Phoenix, AZ
08.2020 - Current
  • Maintained organized office and case-specific paper and digital files for easy tracking and retrieval.
  • E-Filed court documents using State and Federal filing systems on behalf of attorneys.
  • Managed accounts and client records, observing confidentiality and extreme discretion. Non-disclosure agreements signed and remain in effect.
  • Handled discovery scheduling and made notes for deadlines, motions and other important dates.
  • Prepared case summaries for mediations, conferences, depositions and hearings increasing attorney confidence.
  • Assisted counsel in preparing answers, providing documentation and information for discovery request
  • Prepared legal briefs, motions and pleadings
  • Coordinated trial exhibits by organizing materials, writing documentation and preparing digital materials and displays

Litigation Assistant

Burch & Cracchiolo PA
Phoenix, AZ
01.2018 - 08.2020
  • Well-versed in process and procedures for various Tribal Courts while working directly with Court-appointed Advocate; offered skilled administrative and paralegal support where needed.
  • Improved time management and case flow by calendaring, reviewing and monitoring timelines established by ARCP, FRCP.
  • Established polished and increased professionalism by proofing, editing, and preparing for e-filing and managing service for all forms of pleadings with associated exhibits and orders.
  • Organized large volumes of medical records and related documents by redacting and bates numbering same in preparation for discovery, disclosures and exhibits.
  • Maintained litigation database and document organization for over 80 cases while monitoring and tracking discovery and privilege logs.
  • Designed forms, creating or adding fields for reviewers, searches and indexes.

Legal Secretary

Gallagher & Kennedy PC
Phoenix, AZ
10.2016 - 12.2018
  • Supported caseload of 80+ by drafting and editing pleadings and related legal documents.
  • E-Filed documents with local, state, federal, and appellate courts using electronic filing systems on behalf of attorney(s).
  • Assisted with case management and preparation, organizing exhibits and files for senior legal staff.
  • Reviewed, summarized medical records in preparation for submission to expert witnesses.
  • Prepared legal correspondence and wrote professional letters for legal assistants and attorneys; edited and polished same.
  • Organized files for court proceedings.
  • Scheduled all appointments, appearances and briefings
  • Assisted attorneys in collecting employment, medical and other records
  • Screened telephone calls and forwarded to appropriate departments
  • Received and placed telephone calls to clients and prospective clients

Founder, Customer Service Department

Mohawk Carpeting
Bountiful, UT
05.2015 - 10.2016
  • Conducted target market research to scope out industry competition and identify advantageous trends.
  • Created organization's mission and vision statements for use by employees.
  • Reviewed individual department performance and worked with leadership to improve processes, procedures and practices.
  • Implemented innovative program to meet needs of both customers and team members, sliding us into #1 position in less than six months.
  • Spearheaded speaking engagements wherever possible, opening lines of communication paving way for relationship building.

Legal Assistant | Paralegal

Wilkes McHugh PA
Phoenix, AZ
09.2011 - 10.2016
  • Organized and summarized medical records to determine relevant witnesses for disclosure, possible deposition; examined same for evidentiary value.
  • Saved thousands of dollars in costs by editing out irrelevant records and providing same to experts for professional review.
  • Managed over 80 files and continuously updated and organized medical and other records; redacting and bates numbering same for disclosure statements and updating privilege log.
  • Trained new team members in basic understanding of litigation, discovery procedures, etc. to assist them in understanding how their role helped in overall outcome of case, significantly boosting performance and morale.

Education

Paralegal Studies

State Bar of Idaho
Boise, Idaho
03.1986

Associates - Graphic Arts and Visual Communications

Collins College
Tempe, AZ
03.1986

Skills

  • Highly Organized
  • Laser-Focused
  • Professional and Articulate
  • Proofing, Editing, Polishing
  • Client Relations Driven
  • Excellent Communication Skills
  • Very Detail-Oriented
  • Decision Making Ability
  • Trial Preparation Assistance
  • Filing System Organization

Affiliations

Lawyer Moms of Arizona - Voting Member


The Innocence Project of America - Voting Member

Timeline

Contract Legal Assistant/Paralegal

Self Employed
08.2020 - Current

Litigation Assistant

Burch & Cracchiolo PA
01.2018 - 08.2020

Legal Secretary

Gallagher & Kennedy PC
10.2016 - 12.2018

Founder, Customer Service Department

Mohawk Carpeting
05.2015 - 10.2016

Legal Assistant | Paralegal

Wilkes McHugh PA
09.2011 - 10.2016

Paralegal Studies

State Bar of Idaho

Associates - Graphic Arts and Visual Communications

Collins College

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Debra Shepardson Harris