Ericka Hernandez
Jacksonville,FL
Summary
Self Motivator Bilingual/ Fluent in Spanish Financial Analyst Seasoned Litigation Paralegal with background in civil and criminal law, corporate legal departments, and prominent law firms. Skills include legal research, case management, trial preparation, and client service. Strengths lie in ability to draft complex legal documents, manage large caseloads efficiently, and provide invaluable support to attorneys. Proven track record of positively impacting case outcomes through diligent work ethic and comprehensive understanding of litigation process.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Medical Malpractice Litigation Paralegal
Wicker Smith O’Hara Mccoy Ford
Jacksonville , FL
11.2023 - Current
- Assisting Associates with various types of business litigation by preparing legal documents, meeting court and client deadlines, organizing and maintaining responsibility of files, Etc.
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to take direction from multiple Associates.
- Excellent grammar, organizational (electronic and paper) skills, accuracy and attention to detail in all written communications and documents.
- Performed factual investigations to obtain background information on parties involved in litigation proceedings.
- Investigated potential sources of evidence such as public records or online databases.
- Attended hearings, mediations and depositions as needed to support attorneys' work product.
- Drafted pleadings, motions and other court documents for review by attorney.
Litigation Paralegal
Rivkin Radler PPL
JACKSONVILLE, FL
06.2023 - 08.2023
- Managed document production process, including identifying relevant documents, locating witnesses and obtaining necessary authorizations.
- Analyzed medical records to identify pertinent facts that could be used in a court proceeding.
- Participated in client conferences as needed to assist attorneys with strategy development.
- Communicated regularly with opposing counsels regarding settlements or other matters.
- Supervised junior paralegals on projects assigned by attorneys.
- Prepared deposition summaries and tracked deadlines for filing of briefs or other documents.
- Regularly reviews files and proactively works to move cases forward
- Participated in all aspects of discovery and file or trial preparation as required
- Compiled evidence and supporting information by searching records, discovery documents, transcripts, libraries, and databases.
Paralegal
Parra Harris Law
Jacksonville, FL
11.2022 - 05.2023
- Advised attorneys on probable outcomes of cases based on legal precedents and personal research.
- Drafted discovery responses including interrogatories and requests for production of documents.
- Interpreted various types of legal documents including contracts and agreements.
- Collaborated with attorneys in all stages of litigation process.
- Organized evidence for use at trial or hearing proceedings.
- Created spreadsheets to track case information and deadlines.
- Prepared trial notebooks for court proceedings.
- Participated in mediation sessions by preparing necessary materials and taking notes during meetings.
- Interviewed clients and obtained vital case information to support associates.
Legal Assistant
J. David Tax Law, LLC
JACKSONVILLE, FL
08.2022 - 11.2022
- Provide general administrative assistance, such as maintaining the attorney's calendar for client meetings and calls.
- Ordered materials needed by attorneys throughout the duration of a case.
- Assisted with document production and deposition preparation.
- Organized exhibits for trial proceedings.
- Answered phones promptly while providing courteous customer service.
- Conducted interviews with potential witnesses to obtain statements relevant to pending cases.
- Proofread drafts of legal documents for accuracy in grammar and punctuation.
- Coordinated travel arrangements for attorneys attending out-of-town meetings or conferences.
Senior Mortgage Underwriter
Land Home Financial
JACKSONVILLE , FL
07.2019 - 08.2022
- Effectively managed a diverse pipeline of approximately 35 loans average, with responsibility to close a competitively set predetermined monthly goal, while meeting several other set metrics and service results goals
- Manually prepare updated Escrow accounts throughout the process, to ensure figures were up to date, all throughout Funding
- Excellent critical thinking skills with a sense of urgency by recognizing opportunities, understanding threats, and acting quickly to overcome barriers in order reach the best solution
- Set appropriate customer expectations of upcoming expirations on rate locks and documents to meet turnaround times on the approval of the qualifying documents as well as, coordinates event organization for closing arrangements.
Sr. Mortgage Underwriter
CMG Financial
03.2017 - 03.2018
- Proficiency in understanding Underwriting thresholds and systems for Conventional, Bond, VA, FHA, and USDA loan types
- Communicated with clients exhibiting the highest level of professionalism, and accommodated the special needs required by clients going through the new construction process for CMG Financial while building rapport and positive working relationships
- Extensively reviewed loan scenarios and documentation to ensure that no fraudulent activity is apparent
- This includes pre-underwriting documents of asset, income, credit, and bank statements for fluctuation patterns that may indicate possible additional risk.
Priority Mortgage Processor
Digital Risk/ US Bank
08.2015 - 03.2017
- Performed on the highest priority team to process Jumbo loans for Goldman Sachs Bank which demands immense attention to detail and ability to handle high pressure situations and deadlines
- Extensively reviewed complex loan scenarios with intricate Legal requirements and documentation to ensure quality submissions to Underwriting and the Legal Department to increase efficiency
- Translated underwriting guidelines and requirements to lenders while collaborating closely with Underwriters regarding specific issues that need additional explanations
- Also locked rates and assessed alternative programs if the current product circumstances or rates prove to be not sufficient to the client's needs while understanding their sense of urgency.
Enterprise Priority Services Level III
EverHome Mortgage
06.2013 - 01.2015
- Responded in writing to all legal written correspondence
- Handled all escalation situations as an Assisting Supervisor in often volatile situations
- Eased situations using delicate and effective use of tone and mastered listening skills
- Worked on regulatory guidelines to protect clients, and company from mitigation, fines, and penalties
- Audited other departments to ensure all new and existing guidelines were met
- Collaborated closely with functional managers, and provided evaluations on project successes, and evolving changes.
Education
BA in Criminal Justice -
Valencia College
Orlando, FL01.2008
High School Diploma -
Walton High School
Orlando, FL01.2004
Skills
- Self Motivator
- Fluent in Spanish
- Financial Analyst
- Legal Research
- Disposition records management
- Critical Thinking
- Trial Preparation Assistance
- Team Collaboration
- Problem-solving abilities
- LexisNexis
- Client Billing
- Time Management
- Analytical Skills
- Workload Management
- Task Prioritization
- Adaptability and Flexibility
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Medical Malpractice Litigation Paralegal
Wicker Smith O’Hara Mccoy Ford
11.2023 - Current
Litigation Paralegal
Rivkin Radler PPL
06.2023 - 08.2023
Paralegal
Parra Harris Law
11.2022 - 05.2023
Legal Assistant
J. David Tax Law, LLC
08.2022 - 11.2022
Senior Mortgage Underwriter
Land Home Financial
07.2019 - 08.2022
Sr. Mortgage Underwriter
CMG Financial
03.2017 - 03.2018
Priority Mortgage Processor
Digital Risk/ US Bank
08.2015 - 03.2017
Enterprise Priority Services Level III
EverHome Mortgage
06.2013 - 01.2015
BA in Criminal Justice -
Valencia College
High School Diploma -
Walton High School
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