Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Additional Information
Timeline
Generic
Garilynn Smith

Garilynn Smith

Frenchtown,NJ

Summary

Driven and resourceful paralegal and administrative professional with 23+ years of experience assisting with work of high-achieving executives. Track record supporting professional needs with well-organized precision. Successfully manages high-volume workloads in rapidly changing environments.

Detail-oriented team player with strong organizational skills. Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously with a high degree of accuracy.

In-depth knowledge of medical terminology, regulations, and policies.

Overview

16
16
years of professional experience

Work History

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
01.2014 - 12.2018
  • Variety of administrative functions and oversaw Executive Assistants for five Program Manager offices, Garrison General Officer.
  • Served as team leader for group of employees with responsibility for technical planning and oversight of work.
  • Acted as Liaison between Program Office and members of Senate and Congress.
  • Expert on EEOC laws, employment laws.
  • Handled confidential and sensitive information with discretion and tact.
  • Managed executive calendars of 10 Executives, scheduling meetings and appointments. and coordinating travel arrangements (for 100 plus employees) to optimize time. Controlled military ceremonies.
  • Processed travel expenses and reimbursements for executive team and senior management group.
  • Facilitated training and onboarding for incoming office staff.
  • Used advanced software to prepare documents, reports, and presentations.
  • Conducted research and analyzed data to provide detailed reports on various business topics.
  • Introduced new software program to streamline administrative functions. Presented software to upper level management. Software became new standard for operations across installation.
  • Streamlined operations and prioritized tasks, allowing senior staff to increase productivity.
  • Upheld strict timetables by maintaining accurate, balanced calendars.
  • Wrote reports, executive summaries and newsletters.

PARALEGAL

HARDWICK BENFER LLC
06.2013 - 01.2014
  • Initial review of employee claims, creating detailed claim file summaries, Assisting lawyers during mediation, depositions
  • Prepared court documents, motions and filed motions appropriately, prepared interrogatories and responded to requests for interrogatories
  • Transcribed audio recordings
  • Discovery
  • Lexis and law software.
  • Managed scheduling of federal and state (NJ, PA, NY) court calendars and deadlines to maintain smooth flow of firm operations.
  • Edited and proofread legal documents to verify accuracy.
  • Maintained and updated organized client contact information to keep in touch with clients and provide updates on cases.
  • Conducted detailed client intakes and entered information into company database.
  • Communicated with clients, opposing counsel and court personnel to keep all parties informed on case updates.
  • Assisted counsel in preparing answers, providing documentation, and information for discovery request.
  • Prepared legal briefs, motions, and pleadings.
  • Liaised with other paralegals and legal staff to complete common tasks on schedule.
  • Helped attorneys (3) prepare for trial by organizing exhibits and calling on witnesses to testify at hearings.
  • Summarized depositions, legal documents and other material to provide attorney with relevant material for cases.
  • Assisted in preparation of settlement proposals and agreements to help attorneys negotiate settlement in best interest of client.
  • Monitored changes in laws, regulations and other legal matters to keep firm compliant with requirements.
  • Examined and generated memos on statutory law, case law and federal and state regulations using online research databases, such as Westlaw and print sources.
  • Communicated pertinent information to clients via phone, email, and mail.
  • Contacted clients to schedule appointments and discuss progress of cases.
  • Revised and finalized letters, briefs, and memos.
  • Researched statutes, decisions, legal articles, and codes.
  • Reviewed, edited and proofread litigation for proper grammar, spelling and punctuation.
  • Attended court hearings and depositions to take notes and document proceedings.
  • Collaborated with attorneys to develop strategies for each case.
  • Conducted background investigations on defendant.

Executive Administrative Assistant

Department Of Defense
09.2007 - 06.2013
  • Conducted new hire orientation to verify completion of appropriate paperwork, recording information on human resources database.
  • Organized new employee orientation schedules for new hires.
  • Monitored employee attendance and performance to verify punctuality and absences, addressing issues in accordance with company policies and procedures.
  • Created and completed personnel action forms for hires, terminations, title changes and terminations.
  • Coordinated employee training programs to improve productivity and performance.
  • Administered compensation, benefits, and performance management systems at direction of supervisor.
  • Maintained human resources regulatory compliance with local, state and federal laws for organization.
  • Maintained payroll and benefits for 100 plus employees in various locations, minimizing financial discrepancies through detailed program management.
  • Closely monitored and evaluated contract performance to determine regulatory compliance and necessary amendments.
  • Managed full procurement cycle by planning, reviewing, soliciting, awarding, administering and closing out contract to achieve seamless transition at all levels of procurement.
  • Tracked resolution status on critical contracts and issues for program management staff.
  • Assisted contract and legal professionals to address contract issues and developments.
  • Assisted in expansion efforts by positioning contracts and executing paperwork as quickly as possible.
  • Updated reports, managed accounts, and generated reports for company database.
  • Established workflow processes, monitored daily productivity, and implemented modifications to improve overall performance of personnel.
  • Presented new administrative software/operating system to streamline administrative work within organization.
  • Subject matter expert on operating systems.
  • Acted as organization representative on Integrated Planning Team (IPT) for administrative operating systems.

Executive Assistant to CEO

Blue Marlin Systems
09.2005 - 09.2007
  • Managed executive calendars, scheduling meetings and appointments and coordinating travel arrangements to optimize time.
  • Organized and coordinated conferences and monthly meetings.
  • Maintained personnel records and statistical data to establish accuracy and compliance with applicable regulations.
  • Fielded employee inquiries related to insurance, pension plan, vacation, sick leave and employee assistance.
  • Managed payroll processing and benefits to compensate employees for service rendered for 100 plus employees including overseas workforce.
  • Monitored employee attendance and performance, addressing issues in accordance with company policies and procedures.
  • Reviewed and screened applicant resumes to identify qualified candidates.
  • Partnered with senior leadership to establish and develop corporate and HR policies and procedures.
  • Briefed job applicants regarding responsibilities, benefits and schedules to provide information regarding job specifications and logistics.
  • Planned and managed recruitment activities for new hires using strategic personnel, staffing, and position management practices.
  • Conducted workplace compliance training to reduce liability risks and operate effectively.
  • Performed budget analysis to control expenditures and predict future budget needs.
  • Administered employee benefits programs and assisted with open enrollment.
  • Collaborated with managers to identify and address employee relations issues.
  • Managed full procurement cycle by planning, reviewing, soliciting, awarding, administering and closing out contract to achieve seamless transition at all levels of procurement.
  • Closely monitored and evaluated contract performance to determine regulatory compliance and necessary amendments.
  • Developed training materials to unify contract management processes and procedures.
  • Assisted contract and legal professionals to address contract issues and developments.
  • Tracked resolution status on critical contracts and issues for program management staff.
  • Created and prepared specific contracts to present to senior management.

Executive Assistant

High Performance Technologies Inc.
07.2002 - 09.2005
  • Handled confidential and sensitive information with discretion and tact.
  • Managed executive calendars, scheduling meetings and appointments and coordinating travel arrangements to optimize time.
  • Organized and coordinated conferences and monthly meetings.
  • Processed travel expenses and reimbursements for executive team and senior management group.
  • Worked with senior management to initiate new projects and assist in various processes.
  • Streamlined operations and prioritized tasks, allowing senior staff to increase productivity.
  • Created and managed office systems to efficiently deal with documentation.
  • Closely monitored and evaluated contract performance to determine regulatory compliance and necessary amendments.
  • Reviewed current contracts to identify upcoming contract expirations and coordinated with stakeholders to analyze contract renewals and re-negotiation.
  • Created and prepared specific contracts to present to senior management.
  • Tracked resolution status on critical contracts and issues for program management staff.
  • Assisted contract and legal professionals to address contract issues and developments.
  • Handled 50 plus contracts for Department of Defense as Contracting Officer Representative and tracked performance and expenditures of contracts.

Education

Bachelor of Arts, Jurisprudence, Law & Society - Law (Pre-Law)

Montclair State University
Montclair, NJ
01.2023

A.A. PRE-LAW AND A.A.S PARALEGAL STUDIES - Paralegal And Pre-Law Studies

Sussex County Community College
Newton
01.2021

Skills

  • Employment Law
  • Meticulous Attention to Detail
  • Strategic Planning
  • Report Writing
  • Business Writing
  • Conflict Management
  • Administrative Support
  • Resourceful
  • Database Management
  • Proofreading
  • Attorney Support
  • Case Management
  • Business Administration
  • Communication Management
  • HR Policies

Accomplishments

  • Precedential Decision: Garilynn Smith v. Department of the Army, Docket No. PH-1221-16-0010-W-1 Co-Counsel with Graig Corveleyn esq. (Merit System Protection Board Initial Decision 2017; Precedential Decision 2022) Opinions available on request
  • Garilynn Smith v. Department of the Navy, Docket No. PH-0752-14-0713-I-1 (Merit System Protection Board) 2014 Opinion available on request
  • Implemented nationwide changes on the dignified handling of service member remains at Dover Mortuary Air Force Base.
  • Multiple media interviews on mainstream media (CNN, ABC, CBS, AP, Jake Tapper)
  • Presented new software program to streamline administrative procedures. Software became the new standard installation-wide at Picatinny Arsenal.
  • Subject matter expert on administrative procedures acted as Organization point of contact for Integrated Planning Team on administrative operating systems
  • Foster home for Garden State German Shepherd Rescue
  • Head Coach for youth club softball 12u and 14u girls

Additional Information

Employment law knowledge, with proven ability in whistleblower retaliation law. Research capability with proven skills in troubleshooting and problem solving. Ability to use resources to problem solve without the need for guidance. Willing to exhaust resources to solve issues.

Timeline

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
01.2014 - 12.2018

PARALEGAL

HARDWICK BENFER LLC
06.2013 - 01.2014

Executive Administrative Assistant

Department Of Defense
09.2007 - 06.2013

Executive Assistant to CEO

Blue Marlin Systems
09.2005 - 09.2007

Executive Assistant

High Performance Technologies Inc.
07.2002 - 09.2005

Bachelor of Arts, Jurisprudence, Law & Society - Law (Pre-Law)

Montclair State University

A.A. PRE-LAW AND A.A.S PARALEGAL STUDIES - Paralegal And Pre-Law Studies

Sussex County Community College

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Garilynn Smith