Elise M. Chappell
Summary
Over 15 years of experience in customer service and client relations, including 3.5 years in legal services. Proven success in managing probate and trust administration processes, supporting attorneys, and enhancing client satisfaction through effective communication and organizational skills.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Paralegal
ANDERSEN PLLC
10.2024 - Current
- Support attorneys in probate, trust administration, litigation and estate planning, practice areas, including acting as a first point of contact for clients
- Manage the Probate and Trust Admin processes with clients from initiation to close
- Conduct legal research to support case preparation and strategy development.
- Draft legal pleadings, letters to beneficiaries for trust administration, and demand letters for clients
- Review client documents and prepare summaries for attorneys
- Facilitated communication between attorneys and clients on active cases, improving client satisfaction and case clarity
- Organized attorneys' calendars, ensuring timely follow-through on client matters
- Managed client files to meet deadlines consistently
- Contacted court clerks and judicial assistants to expedite case progress
- Notarized estate planning documents and legal agreements
- Gathered necessary financial documentation from clients to support legal proceedings.
- Oversaw and instructed legal assistants on administrative procedures, streamlining client case management
- Serve as custodian to master docket spreadsheet (calendar spreadsheet per insurance)
Legal Assistant
ANDERSEN PLLC
09.2022 - 10.2024
- Processed court filings in person, by mail, and online using AZ eFile, ensuring timely compliance with legal deadlines.
- Maintained organized physical and electronic filing system, improving accessibility and retrieval of legal documents.
- Assisted attorney during Trust signings at office and client locations, facilitating accurate documentation and promoting client satisfaction.
- Opened new matters in electronic filing system
- Trained and provided support for newly hired legal assistants
- Observed various legal processes including probate and trust administration in a supportive role.
- Processed incoming mail and returned documents from the courts
- Covered front desk as back up receptionist, answering phones and greeting clients
- Answered and directed incoming calls to staff and attorneys
- Facilitated client payment transactions accurately and efficiently at the office.
- Oversaw and maintained office supply inventory to ensure necessary resources were available.
- Coordinated and organized firm events.
- Put together legal material for in-office meetings
Sales Associate
Tuesday Morning
02.2022 - 09.2022
- Acted as the first point of customer service contact, addressing inquiries to enhance customer experience.
- Operated Point of Sale system, ensuring accurate processing of sales transactions and contributing to customer satisfaction.
- Managed and processed inventory from freight trucks to sales floor, ensuring product availability and organized displays.
- Supported visual merchandising efforts by arranging product displays on the sales floor.
Customer Experience Manager
Michaels
01.2021 - 02.2022
- Trained and coached customer experience team on sales floor and cashiering, improving service quality and customer interactions
- Led team members on sales floor and cashiering, promoting collaboration and effective teamwork
- Oversaw store operations as Manager on Duty, ensuring efficient service and customer satisfaction
- Ensured compliance with front-end policies and procedures, maintaining operational integrity and customer trust
- Assisted Store Manager in leading and managing standard operating procedures and company programs
- Managed and executed theft prevention and safety programs
- Assisted with inventory controls by performing store in stock optimization duties
Office Support Specialist
Michaels
09.2018 - 01.2021
- Provided customer service by answering guest questions in person and over the phone, contributing to improved guest satisfaction.
- Operated Point of Sales system which processed all sales transactions
- Prepared daily funds and bank deposits to ensure accurate financial transactions
- Coordinated inventory management to maintain accurate stock availability and reduce discrepancies.
- Facilitated customer enrollment in Michaels rewards program, strengthening customer loyalty.
Recreation Leader Sr, Leisure Education
City of Scottsdale
08.2015 - 09.2018
- Programmed classes with 60 different contract instructors, businesses and individuals
- Recruited and interviewed new contract instructors to expand the team.
- Conducted evaluations and submitted reports on class observations each session to enhance program quality.
- Developed marketing content that effectively promoted recreation classes to increase community engagement
- Coordinated service support staff inquiries and resolved class-related issues to ensure smooth operations
- Supported front-line service staff questions, problems, and concerns related to classes
- Responded to customer inquiries via calls, web requests, and emails regarding classes and programs.
- Handled payments for class registration, cash management, and daily deposits
- Monitored department budget and reviewed end-of-month reports to support financial accountability
Recreation Leader II, Leisure Education and Facility Booking Office
City of Scottsdale
04.2015 - 08.2015
- Drafted facility use permits for events, ensuring compliance with regulations and optimal usage of facilities
- Responded to customer inquiries via calls, web requests, and emails, facilitating efficient reservations of city facilities
- Managed payments for class registrations and facility rentals, ensuring accurate financial records through effective cash handling and daily deposits
Education
B.S. - Speech Communication
Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, ArizonaSkills
- Document drafting
- Case management
- Document Recording
- Record keeping
- Caret Legal Software
- Net Documents software
- Microsoft Office
- Attention to detail
- Cash handling
- Effective communicator
- Event coordination
- File pleadings
- Research and data collection
- Document preparation
- Project management
- Attorney support
- Notary public
- Calendar management
- Troubleshooting complex problems
- Administrative support
- Office administration
Certification
- Notary Public, Maricopa County, 2027
- American Red Cross Lifeguard Management Certification, 2008, No Expiration Date
Accomplishments
Michaels Employee of the Month October 2019, March 2021, and August 2021
Timeline
Paralegal
ANDERSEN PLLC
10.2024 - Current
Legal Assistant
ANDERSEN PLLC
09.2022 - 10.2024
Sales Associate
Tuesday Morning
02.2022 - 09.2022
Customer Experience Manager
Michaels
01.2021 - 02.2022
Office Support Specialist
Michaels
09.2018 - 01.2021
Recreation Leader Sr, Leisure Education
City of Scottsdale
08.2015 - 09.2018
Recreation Leader II, Leisure Education and Facility Booking Office
City of Scottsdale
04.2015 - 08.2015
B.S. - Speech Communication
Northern Arizona University