DERRICK COLEMAN
Summary
To seek and maintain full-time position that offers professional challenges utilizing interpersonal skills, excellent time management and problem-solving skills. Hardworking and passionate job seeker with strong organizational skills eager to secure entry-level Paralegal position. Ready to help team achieve company goals. Goal-oriented [Job Title] experienced in providing administrative support to legal departments with focus on document management. Demonstrated ability in interpreting legal documents and policies. Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals. Driven Legal Assistant with 20 years of experience in variety of legal areas of law. Highly skilled at multitasking and prioritizing tasks to complete projects on time and determine appropriate courses of action. Committed to streamlining processes to facilitate growth in Criminal law. Results-driven professional skilled in researching legal case information and preparing necessary correspondence with strong understanding of legal terminology and processes. Adept in maintaining confidential records and client information. Pleasantly assists attorneys in preparing for trials and other legal proceedings. Seasoned collaborator experienced in meeting needs, improving processes and exceeding requirements in team environments. Diligent worker with strong communication and task prioritization skills. Detail-oriented team player with strong organizational skills. Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously with a high degree of accuracy.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
1
1
year of post-secondary education
Work History
Volunteer
Centinela State Prison, CEN
Imperial, CA
01.2006 - 08.2007
- Enhanced community engagement by organizing and leading outreach events.
- Improved organizational efficiency by streamlining volunteer onboarding processes.
- Promoted environmental awareness with educational workshops and hands-on activities.
- Developed marketing materials for events, increasing public interest and attendance rates.
- Coordinated volunteer training sessions to ensure consistent delivery of services across teams.
- Contributed to strategic planning meetings, providing valuable insights based on firsthand experience with target populations.
- Maintained clean, neat, and operational facilities to serve program needs.
- Used strong interpersonal communication skills to convey information to others.
- Completed daily domestic tasks in shelters and group homes to assist people in need.
- Guided troubled individuals to tools and resources necessary for healing.
- Tutored at various competency levels to help people with reading, math and writing skills.
- Developed construction skills by participating in several home builds.
- Supported clients through development of new life skills, obtaining resources and transitioning back to society.
- Helped create comprehensive program to meet INMATES needs.
- Assisted clients with obtaining housing, employment and support resources.
Volunteer
LOS ANGLES COUNTY JAIL
Los Angeles, CA
04.2002 - 11.2002
- Enhanced community engagement by organizing and leading outreach events.
- Improved organizational efficiency by streamlining volunteer onboarding processes.
- Enhanced campus services by efficiently organizing and distributing resources to various departments.
- Streamlined office processes for improved efficiency by managing paperwork, filing systems, and maintaining databases.
- Enhanced client comfort by providing compassionate personal care and assistance with daily living activities.
- Improved clients'' overall well-being through attentive support, encouragement, and companionship.
- Enhanced legal research efficiency by utilizing advanced search techniques and legal databases.
- Assisted attorneys with case preparation, contributing to successful case outcomes.
- Enhanced case efficiency by organizing and maintaining legal documents, files, and correspondence.
- Assisted attorneys with trial preparation through thorough research and analysis of relevant laws and regulations.
Volunteer
SOLEDAD STATE PRISON
Soledad, CA
09.2000 - 07.2001
- Enhanced community engagement by organizing and leading outreach events.
- Improved organizational efficiency by streamlining volunteer onboarding processes.
- Promoted environmental awareness with educational workshops and hands-on activities.
- Enhanced library user experience by providing friendly and knowledgeable assistance at the circulation desk.
- Contributed to a well-organized and efficient library environment through regular sorting, shelving, and labeling of materials.
- Supported community outreach efforts by assisting in the planning and execution of library events and programs.
- Aided librarians with collection development tasks, such as researching new titles for purchase consideration.
- Enhanced case efficiency by organizing and maintaining legal documents, files, and correspondence.
- Assisted attorneys with trial preparation through thorough research and analysis of relevant laws and regulations.
- Improved document organization by implementing a comprehensive file management system for easy access to essential case materials.
- Contributed to successful case outcomes through diligent fact investigation and witness interviews.
- Prepared legal briefs, motions, and pleadings.
- Summarized depositions, legal documents and other material to provide attorney with relevant material for cases.
- Revised and finalized letters, briefs, and memos.
- Interviewed clients to obtain information relevant to cases.
- Produced legal documents such as briefs, pleadings and appeals.
- Researched statutes, decisions, legal articles, and codes.
- Collaborated with attorneys to develop strategies for each case.
Volunteer
California Correctional Institution
Tehachapi, CA
05.1999 - 11.1999
- Enhanced community engagement by organizing and leading outreach events.
- Improved organizational efficiency by streamlining volunteer onboarding processes.
- Enhanced case efficiency by organizing and maintaining legal documents, files, and correspondence.
- Assisted attorneys with trial preparation through thorough research and analysis of relevant laws and regulations.
- Enhanced legal research efficiency by utilizing advanced search techniques and legal databases.
- Assisted attorneys with case preparation, contributing to successful case outcomes.
Volunteer
California Youth Authority HEMAN G. STARKS YTS
Chino, CA
08.1993 - 09.1996
- Enhanced community engagement by organizing and leading outreach events.
- Improved organizational efficiency by streamlining volunteer onboarding processes.
- Enhanced library user experience by providing friendly and knowledgeable assistance at the circulation desk.
- Contributed to a well-organized and efficient library environment through regular sorting, shelving, and labeling of materials.
- Enhanced laboratory efficiency by meticulously organizing and maintaining lab supplies, equipment, and documentation.
- Assisted in the completion of critical experiments by diligently following research protocols and procedures.
- Enhanced case efficiency by organizing and maintaining legal documents, files, and correspondence.
- Assisted attorneys with trial preparation through thorough research and analysis of relevant laws and regulations.
- Enhanced legal research efficiency by utilizing advanced search techniques and legal databases.
- Assisted attorneys with case preparation, contributing to successful case outcomes.
Education
No Degree - Paralegal Studies
Los Angeles Trade Technical College
Los Angeles, CACERTIFIED PARALEGAL - Paralegal Studies
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA 05.2023 - Current
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION - Construction Trades
CARPENTER EDUCATION TRAINING INSTITUTE
LENNOX, CA11.1997
Associate of Arts - Liberal Arts And General Studies
University of La Verne
La Verne, CA06.1996
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION - Culinary Arts
HEMAN G. STARKS YOUTH TRAINING SCHOOL
Chino, CA08.1995
Skills
- Volunteer Recruitment
- Flexible Schedule
- Fundraising
- Community Engagement
- Recordkeeping
- Clerical Support
- Adaptability and Dependability
- Filing and Recordkeeping
- Deadline Adherence
- Document Filing
- Exceptional Writer
- Database Research
- Legal Jargon Knowledge
- Attorney Support
- Exhibit Preparation
- Litigation Support
- Records Management
- Proficient in MS Office
- Research and Data Collection
- Calendar Management
- Conflict Mediation
- Legal Writing
- Proofreading
- Document Preparation
- Criminal Law
- Case Management
- Client Communication
- Document Drafting
- Legal Compliance
- Account Administration
- Administrative Support
- Case Summaries
- Office Administration
- Risk Management
- Legal Analysis
- Interviewing Witnesses
- File Organization
- Legal Research
- File and Records Management
- Microsoft Office Proficiency
- Court Filing
- Legal Transcription
- Attention to Detail
- Multitasking
- Problem Solving
- Time Management
- Team Collaboration
- Document Management
- Report Writing
- Database Searching
- Correspondence and Legal Forms
- Filing System Organization
- Trial Preparation Assistance
- Legal Correspondence
- Legal Terminology
- Critical Thinking
- Case File Management
- Court Document Filing
- Data Confidentiality
- Client Support
- LexisNexis
- Effective Multitasking
- Community Outreach
- CaseMap
- Legal and Court Processes
- Document Organization
- Legal Document Preparation
- Document Editing
- Customer Service
Certification
- CERTIFIED PARALEGA, SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY - 5/2023-5/2024
- Certificate of Membership from NALA THE PARALEGAL ASSOCIATION MEMBER SINCE 6/2023
Timeline
CERTIFIED PARALEGAL - Paralegal Studies
San Diego State University
05.2023 - Current
Volunteer
Centinela State Prison, CEN
01.2006 - 08.2007
Volunteer
LOS ANGLES COUNTY JAIL
04.2002 - 11.2002
Volunteer
SOLEDAD STATE PRISON
09.2000 - 07.2001
Volunteer
California Correctional Institution
05.1999 - 11.1999
Volunteer
California Youth Authority HEMAN G. STARKS YTS
08.1993 - 09.1996
No Degree - Paralegal Studies
Los Angeles Trade Technical College
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION - Construction Trades
CARPENTER EDUCATION TRAINING INSTITUTE
Associate of Arts - Liberal Arts And General Studies
University of La Verne
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION - Culinary Arts
HEMAN G. STARKS YOUTH TRAINING SCHOOL