FRANCES VESS
Camp Lejeune ,NC
Summary
Paralegal Specialist with over 10 years of experience, skilled at supporting legal proceedings and producing electronic discovery.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Paralegal Specialist GS-11
OGC DHA Labor And Employment Law
12.2023 - Current
- Performs paralegal duties relative to mission requirements in labor and employment law and related healthcare law issues.
- Integrates labor law with related health care legal issues to review actions, draft pleadings and memorandums and provide recommendations on legal sufficiency.
- Conducts legal research
- Coordinates with other military and civilian agencies regarding regulations, laws, and related cases.
- Assists Labor Attorney in litigation, involving all phases of discovery, pre-hearing, hearing and post-hearing. Prepares, Bates-stamps and redacts discovery responses
- Created and Maintains Milbook Group for Labor and Employment Law
- Handles administrative tasks proficiently assigned by Labor and Employment Chief
- Develops data management and legal support plans for review.
Paralegal Specialist (Criminal Division) GS-11
U.S. Attorney's Office
08.2020 - 11.2023
- Served as temporary Paralegal and Legal Assistant Supervisor (GS-12) from July to September by supervising ten (10) employees.
- Prepared largest discovery production ever produced in Hawaii's U.S. District Court in June 2022, including 6.57 terabytes of data, 559,654 total pages of documents, 51 hours of audio, 52 hours of video, forensic reports on 14 digital devices and one social media account.
- Planned and organized function within district, projects and assigned work to staff: established goals, objectives, procedures, and methodology for staff; determined priorities of work; and made staff assignments.
- Provided Litigation Support and prepared exhibits for seven (7) Federal Trials in years 2020-2023
- Oversaw planning of work schedules and sequence of operations among staff to ensure even workflow, and timeliness in meeting deadlines.
- Oversaw attendance, leave and vacation schedules with management, in accordance with caseload and workload.
- Participated in interviewing and selecting candidates for support staff positions within Criminal Division.
- Recommended promotions, awards, and other personnel actions.
- Identified and resolved disciplinary problems as necessary.
- Made changes to increase productivity, such as providing support and assistance to legal staff and Division Chief regarding organizational planning and assessment, improving flow of services rendered
- Assigned to National Security Coordinator and Chief of Criminal Division
- Prepares trial exhibits by organizing materials, writing documentation and preparing digital materials and displays
- Edited and redacted video/audio footage
- Prepared power point presentation to assist in closing argument in trial
- Reviewed and organized complex factual material and other documentary data for investigations and trials
- Coordinates and performs duties encompassing all electronic discovery issues to include voluminous cases within Criminal Division
- Provided technical support, such as duplicating audio and video files and marking exhibits
- Reviews discovery production for privileged content and other content for redaction
- Reviewed, proofreads and edits legal documents
- Utilized document review platforms/databases such as Eclipse and Relativity to assist in review of case-related documents
- Assisted in witness interviews including travel to other locations
- Assisted up to 19 Criminal Division Assistant United States Attorney's
- Developed positive working relationship with court, law enforcement members and Assistant United States Attorney's Office
- Provided successful work product within tight deadlines and fast-paced atmosphere
- Provided paralegals with guidance and training on electronic discovery, trial support, and case improvements
Paralegal Specialist (Criminal Division) GS-11
U.S. Attorney's Office
07.2018 - 08.2020
- Provided services efficiently and with high level of accuracy
- Prepared discovery and exhibit binders for hearings and sentencing
- Prepared exhibits for trial and power point presentations
- Utilizes variety of automated legal research tools as well as public information databases to research case or program specific legal matters
- Assisted in interviews of agents to assist attorneys in preparation for grand jury or trial
- Provided litigative case management and organizes cases for court presentations
- Compiled, organizes and indexes various discovery and evidence exhibits for trial and witness testimony
- Performed variety of administrative duties in support of three (3) assigned attorneys and assists in preparation of discovery for unassigned attorneys
- Managed several cases in legal databases
- Coordinated trial exhibits by organizing materials, writing documentation and preparing digital materials and displays
- Assigned in March of 2020 to (3) three of largest white collar cases in office
- Communicated efficiently with all investigative federal agencies and local law enforcement to collect discovery and manage federal cases
- Prepared variety of trial related documents, e.g., discovery letters, exhibits lists and trial subpoenas
- Assisted Assistant U.S. Attorney's in court during trial by setting up and running courtroom presentation equipment
- Reviewed and organized factual material for investigation and trials
- Assisted in witness preparation meetings for trial and hearings
- Clipped and redacts videos for hearings and trials
- Proficient with Trial Director and Eclipse
- Prepped 77,000 document white collar case for trial
- Provided training for new paralegals in office procedures and using Eclipse database
- Assisted supervisor in training and drafted in-depth instruction guide on how to do Secret Service cases, FBI discovery
- Trained paralegals on Central Violation Bureau docket and procedures as well as drafted instruction manual to follow.
Administrative Specialist NF-3 Behavioral Health Branch
Marine Corps Community Services
01.2016 - 01.2017
- Gathered and analyzed data for studies and reports and made recommendations based on findings
- Coordinated and performed wide variety of responsible administrative functions is support of upper level management functions
- Organized flow of operational program processes in office environment
- Established status of actions on numerous projects and program operations
- Responsible for meeting minutes of Behavioral Health Branch as well as Family Advocacy Program weekly meetings
- Assisted in Family Advocacy Committee by taking meeting minutes in which Commanding Officer of Marine Corp Base Hawaii was present and other officials and agencies
- Uploaded meeting minutes to database and shared with appropriate personnel
- Coordinated and performed wide variety of responsible administrative functions is support of upper level management functions
- Organized flow of operational program processes in office environment
- Established status of actions on numerous projects and program operations
- Reviewed and interpreted directives and regulations
- Maintained official files and confidential information in Department of Defense Case Management System (DOD CMS)
- Prepared meeting rooms
- Responded to clients' complaints and requests for information and services
- Directed clients and routed deliveries and courier services
- Managed office supplies, vendors, organization and upkeep
- Helped distribute employee notices and mail around office
- Greeted numerous visitors, including VIPs, vendors and interview candidates
- Obtained signatures for financial documents and internal and external invoices
- Responsible on all Purchase Request for all cost centers and reconcile credit card statement
Paralegal/Receptionist
Law Offices of Lana S. Warlick
01.2012 - 01.2013
- Revised, edited, and prepared documents to be filed with clerk of court
- Ordered office supplies and kept inventory of office equipment
- Prepared attorney client contracts for signature
- Advised and provided information to clients on standard family law procedures
- Ensured client confidentiality was safeguarded
- Handled several family crisis situations involved with divorce, separation, and child custody
- Assisted clients and communicated positively in friendly manner at all times
- Communicated effectively orally and in writing
- Responded to clients, attorneys, counselors, and judicial staff through emails, faxes, written correspondence, and telephone calls pertaining to individual cases
- Assisted in interview and intake of information of new cases by collecting financials and explaining how to fill out standard forms with clients one on one in conference room setting
- Communicated effectively with clients of diverse backgrounds, both military of all ranks and civilians
- Assisted military clients in preparation of Application for Former Spouse payments DD Form 2293
- Informed clients on steps and lengths of divorce procedures according to law and procedures given by attorney
- Kept files organized by documenting actions taken, inputting valuable information in file provided by client, and meeting deadlines
- Provided translations and support to Spanish speaking clients who could not speak English well
- Lead administrator to organize meetings such as depositions, mediations, and client appointments
- Working simultaneously with other offices and their calendars, scheduled over 30 mediations in year 2012 that led to closure of cases which freed up attorney's case load and increased productivity of office
- Assisted in developing new or modified program policies by implementing method for scheduling mediations that was later adapted in office as standard procedure
- Provided training to new employees on office procedures and family law forms used by attorney
- Trained receptionist on phone and office procedures such as client conflict checks, filtering calls, providing information, scheduling appointments as well as communicating effectively with diverse emotionally charged clients calling
- Accurately handled data entry clients into company-based software
- Utilized automated legal research tools as well as public information databases to research case or legal matter
- Prepared legal briefs, motions and pleadings
Paralegal/Legal Assistant
Anchors Smith Grimsley Law Firm
01.2008 - 01.2011
- Operated efficiently and produced quality documents and correspondence while meeting deadlines for fast paced demand for foreclosures by clients
- Handled data entry, filing, organizing and maintaining files
- Balanced attorney's calendar with all events and scheduled appointments
- Assisted in analyzing, researching, preparing information for foreclosure cases
- Supervised Condominium Associations in recovery of dues owed to association
- Sustained constant interaction with client with follow-up procedures
- Designed comprehensive method of maintaining rental property records for evictions
- Advised manager on proper lease procedures prior to eviction action filed with court
- Communicated with rental property manager on weekly basis to update files
- Briefed client on status of files and information provided by rental property manager
- Responded to emails, faxes, and telephone calls relating to property management
- Developed polished legal documents, including motions and briefs, to support litigation processes and court proceedings
- Researched state statutes, decisions, legal articles, codes and documents
- Prepared legal briefs, motion, subpoenas, and pleadings
- Managed billable hour tracking, payroll, client invoicing and attorney schedules
- Worked closely with Condominium Association Manger and obtained, collected and compiled information of debt to liens
- Drafted correspondence letters to condominium owners advising of pending collection and threat of lien being filed in Official Records
- Calendared required length of time for compliance of demand letters and prepared Liens for filing
- Identified and researched problems with prior files and corrected files with rental property manager
- Thoroughly ensured yearly that attorney abided by continuing legal education required by Florida Bar and arranged proper classes to take
- Translated legal documents from Spanish to English and English to Spanish that contributed to growth of office
- Communicated effectively with multiple organizations such as court system and opposing counsel
- Sole liaison for scheduling of mediations; planned and coordinated meetings at office; and provided timely response to information requests by clients
- Identified and evaluated underlying causes of issues; distinguish relevant for irrelevant information; weigh alternative solutions in advance of deadlines with limited guidance
- Drafted correspondence letters to condominium owners advising of pending collection and threat of lien being filed in Official Records
Boatswain's Mate 3rd Class Petty Officer
U.S. Coast Guard Reserves
01.2000 - 01.2009
- Drafted military and nonmilitary correspondence
- Sorted and routed incoming correspondence and messages
- Supervised personnel with special projects
- Communicated efficiently with other life-saving agencies simultaneously
- Solved problems quickly while alerting higher level supervisors when help was needed
- Adhered to safety regulations and standards
- Dealt effectively with all levels of management and command personnel
- Developed excellent oral communication skills
- Monitored Coast Guard area of responsibility emergency channel for mariners in distress for four hour increments and trained personnel
- Logged minute by minute developments in active search and rescue cases when monitoring emergency channel as well as briefed supervisors and other law enforcement agencies involved
- Promptly reported any observed workplace hazards, injury, and or property damage resulting from workplace mishaps to immediate supervisor
- As qualified Boat Crew Member, assisted in recovery of several persons and boats undergoing trouble in water
- Participated in Total Quality Management presentations; including training in decision making, reasoning, self-management, teamwork, problem solving, and risk management
- Assisted as Boat Crew Member in Search and Rescue cases
Education
Master's Degree - Security And Diplomacy
University of West Florida
Pensacola, FLBachelor of Arts - International Studies
University of West Florida
Pensacola2009
Associate of Applied Science - Legal Studies
Pensacola Junior College
Pensacola, Florida2005
Skills
- TS/SCI clearance
- Fluent in Spanish and English
- Strong work ethic
- Analytical
- Strong legal background
- Document management
- Efficient multi-tasker
- Strategic thinker
- Electronic discovery
- Criminal law
- Trial experience
- Online Databases
- Trial Proceedings
Additional Information
- MILITARY SPOUSE PREFERENCE : Spouse of Active Duty U.S. Marine.
Certification
- Sustained Superior Performance Award for high level of performance as a criminal division paralegal in the year 2020 -2023.
- OIG Inspector's General Award for Excellence in Fighting Fraud, Waste, and Abuse 2022, Global Compounding Pharmacy Investigation Team
- Coast Guard Good Conduct Medal
Timeline
Paralegal Specialist GS-11
OGC DHA Labor And Employment Law
12.2023 - Current
Paralegal Specialist (Criminal Division) GS-11
U.S. Attorney's Office
08.2020 - 11.2023
Paralegal Specialist (Criminal Division) GS-11
U.S. Attorney's Office
07.2018 - 08.2020
Administrative Specialist NF-3 Behavioral Health Branch
Marine Corps Community Services
01.2016 - 01.2017
Paralegal/Receptionist
Law Offices of Lana S. Warlick
01.2012 - 01.2013
Paralegal/Legal Assistant
Anchors Smith Grimsley Law Firm
01.2008 - 01.2011
Boatswain's Mate 3rd Class Petty Officer
U.S. Coast Guard Reserves
01.2000 - 01.2009
Master's Degree - Security And Diplomacy
University of West Florida
Bachelor of Arts - International Studies
University of West Florida
Associate of Applied Science - Legal Studies
Pensacola Junior College
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