EVELYN L. OZUNA
The Bronx,NY
Summary
Senior Litigation Paralegal with over 20 years in heavy litigation practices. Extensive trial and arbitration preparation experience and war room set up.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Paralegal
Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP
05.2023 - Current
- Organize and maintain documentation to large complex case management matters
- Advise attorneys of status dates and changes
- Coordinate and make recommendations for case staffing
- Draft subpoenas and arrange for service of process of same
- Coordinate document retrieval under the supervision of the supervising attorneys
- Maintain familiarity with key witness files
- Assist in the preparation of documents for trial
- Attend local and out-of-state trials/arbitrations
- Assist attorneys with complex caseload research, subject and topic research, and briefing of court cases
- Determine and maintain electronic database needs for large case management; monitor databases
- Summarize depositions, arbitration transcripts, briefs, etc
- Prepare draft responses to pleadings, interrogatories, and requests for admissions for discovery matters
- Coordinate the set-up of electronic media for trial purposes
- Maintain up-to-date time reports to ensure accurate client billing
- Supervise the work performed by Project Assistants and/or Paralegal I and II staff
- Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the firm's policies and applicable laws
- Responsibilities include interviewing, training, and providing input into the performance appraisal process
Senior Paralegal
McGuireWoods LLP
02.2022 - 12.2022
- Performed basic factual research and investigation related to client matters and other due diligence as appropriate, utilizing LEXIS, Westlaw, or other relevant research platforms
- Collected, organized, and maintained documents and files related to legal matters, including documents received from the client, opposing parties or other sources
- Managed calendars, docket and tickler systems, and assists in meeting deadlines
- Drafted routine correspondence and memoranda for attorneys
- Oversaw the workflow of junior-level legal support staff and temporary employees
- Drafted discovery requests, motions, and responses
- Coordinated with case team and the e-discovery vendor on all aspects of data collection, production, and electronic file management
- Assisted attorneys in coordinating the document review team/schedule
- Organized exhibits and witness files pre/post deposition
- Assisted in preparation of motions, briefs and responses, including assembly of exhibits and preparing appendices
- Utilized electronic court filing procedures
Senior Paralegal
Togut, Segal & Segal, LLP
06.2021 - 02.2022
- Assisted attorneys and partners with preparing legal documents, including pleadings, briefs, motions, subpoenas, and discovery related materials
- Managed case files and monitor all corporate reorganizations cases under Chapter 11 of the Federal Bankruptcy Code
- Maintained firm and case calendar with scheduled Hearings, discovery and filing deadlines
- Prepared court filings in New York state and federal court, including cite and fact checking legal briefs, confirming proper citation, conforming filings to local rules and judge's standing orders, proofreading, and assembling of exhibits and appendices
- Provided deposition and trial preparation, which includes exhibits, binders, photocopying, setting up court reporter, videographers, etc
- Assisted and monitored document productions and/or serve document production to retained professionals
- Coordinated and managed case documents, including organization, substantive review for relevance and responsiveness, and identification of privileged and confidential information; as well as preparation of documents for production including redacting and bates labeling
Senior Paralegal
Finkelstein, Blankinship, Frei-Pearson & Garber, LLP
09.2016 - 06.2021
- Assisted attorneys and partners with preparing legal documents, including pleadings, briefs, motions, subpoenas, and discovery related materials
- Managed case files for federal and state class action suits
- Mentored, trained, and managed junior paralegal and secretary
- Assisted with the interview process for prospective candidates
- Assisted counsel in the drafting and preparation of legal documents, including Table of Content, Table of Authorities, cite-checking and proofreading
- Assisted counsel in review and redlining of Motion, Briefs, etc
- Prepared filings in state and federal courts, including cite and fact checking legal briefs, confirming proper citation, conforming filings to local rules and judge's standing orders, proofreading, and assembling of exhibits and appendices
- Prepared and handled all electronic filings of all pleadings, motions, and briefs in state and federal courts across the US
- Performed legal research on Westlaw and Pacer
- Served as point person between attorneys, co-counsel, and courts
- Prepared and maintained electronic and hard files, reports, logs and databases of relevant information
- Provided deposition and trial preparation, which included exhibits, binders, photocopying, setting up court reporter, videographers, etc
- Interviewed and traveled to clients to collect documents and data
- Managed and performed other general administrative tasks for the for Partners and associates, on an as-needed basis, such as, schedule depositions and Courtcalls, maintenance of calendars, general correspondence and process service of Summons and Complaints, making calls to plaintiffs
Paralegal, L & E and Special Fed Litigation Div.
New York City Law Department, Office of the Corporation Counsel
11.2002 - 09.2016
- Managed individual and federal class action suits cases from Notice of Claim and/or Summons & Complaint to trial and/or settlement.
- Trial preparation for federal class action suits, including exhibits preparation, trial binders, etc
- Independently handled 100+ cases with minimal supervision and met all deadlines.
- Mentored, trained, and managed 5 paralegals.
- Assisted in analyzing and assessing productivity and performance of paralegals.
- Monitored the movement of cases and coordinates the flow of legal documents through the various stages of litigation.
- Acted as liaison between attorney and NYPD, Dept of Corrections and other city agencies.
- Handled heavy discovery requests that consisted of medical records and follow up, federal releases to obtain court, DA, CCRB documents, NYPD documents and other documents relevant to the case.
- Responsible for incoming and outgoing deposition transcripts, ASCII disks and loading in database.
- Assisted in preparation of summary judgment motions, including research and exhibits.
- Court filing, court errands and archiving. Prepared and process subpoenas, affidavits, summonses, and discovery requests.
- Prepared documents for production and maintain document production files.
- Performed legal research, case tracking, and docket searches.
- Handled medical invoices, subpoena, prepare and process settlements, heavy phone contact with different city agencies.
- Spearheaded and conducted research on Pacer and Lawmanager of prior civil lawsuit brought against NYPD officers pursuant to the Southern District 1983 Plan cases.
Education
Bachelors of Art - Business Management
Monroe College
Bronx, NY04.2005
Certificate - Paralegal/Litigation Assistant
New York Paralegal School
New York, NY12.2002
Associates Degree - Legal Office Administration
Katherine Gibbs School
New York, NY04.2002
Skills
- Trial prep
- Cite checking
- Bluebook
- “War room” experience
- Microsoft Office
- Relativity
- Concordance
- Summation
- Disco
- Westlaw
- Lexis
- Worldox
- Filesite/Worksite
- HotDocs
- Ianage
- PACER
- NYSCEF
- LawManger
- PCLaw
Certification
- Certified licensed notary public.
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Senior Paralegal
Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP
05.2023 - Current
Senior Paralegal
McGuireWoods LLP
02.2022 - 12.2022
Senior Paralegal
Togut, Segal & Segal, LLP
06.2021 - 02.2022
Senior Paralegal
Finkelstein, Blankinship, Frei-Pearson & Garber, LLP
09.2016 - 06.2021
Paralegal, L & E and Special Fed Litigation Div.
New York City Law Department, Office of the Corporation Counsel
11.2002 - 09.2016
- Certified licensed notary public.
Bachelors of Art - Business Management
Monroe College
Certificate - Paralegal/Litigation Assistant
New York Paralegal School
Associates Degree - Legal Office Administration
Katherine Gibbs School
Similar Profiles
Jessica PettusJessica Pettus
Staff Accountant at Katten Muchin Rosenman LLPStaff Accountant at Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP
CARLO GILBERTCARLO GILBERT
Law Intern at Katten Muchin Rosenman LLPLaw Intern at Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP
Timothy BlockerTimothy Blocker
Records Specialist/Clerk at Epiq/KattenRecords Specialist/Clerk at Epiq/Katten