Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Memberships
Timeline
Generic

Gia Willis

Crestwood,IL

Summary

Experienced professional seeking to fill a position where I can enhance my growth, and development skills, plus utilize my efficient problem solving and brilliant relations skills, in a truly motivating work environment. Dedicated and detail- oriented with 7 years experience in legal operations/support, management skills, analysis and a deep understanding of legal processes and procedures. Proficient at producing complex legal information into concise reports for attorneys and stakeholders. Proven track record of optimizing revenue collection, improving efficiency, and ensuring compliance with industry regulations. Adept at leading high-performing teams, implementing process improvements, and leveraging technology to drive financial success. Known for exceptional attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and commitment to delivering outstanding customer service.

Overview

8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Legal Analyst

Cushman & Wakefield
11.2022 - Current
  • Program/project management, process improvement and creation, cross functional engagement, change management, outside counsel and vendor/entity management
  • Assist with implementing supporting programs, processes, and tools to improve workflows, and codifying processes
  • Develop, implement, appropriate metrics and bench-marking through data analytics to measure the Legal team’s performance and efficiency (reporting)
  • Work cross-functionally with Legal, Procurement, Accounting, Finance, and IT to manage outside counsel and vendor relationships and legal entities, including engagement agreements, entity records, associated budgets, compliance with billing guidelines, and related internal and external communications
  • Contribute to and prepare administrative aspects of quarterly and annual planning, operational objectives, and budget initiatives
  • Assist processing team with supplier management, purchasing process, contract administration, strategic sourcing, negotiation and purchasing systems
  • Implemented automated billing systems, resulting in a faster process time
  • Successfully negotiated and finalized contracts with vendors, resulting in a cost reduction
  • Drafted comprehensive Statements of Work (SOWs) for various projects, ensuring clear communication of project scope, deliverables, and timelines.

Courtroom Deputy/ Courtroom Manager

United States District Court – Northern District of Illinois
10.2021 - 10.2022
  • Confers with attorneys, acting as liaison between the judge and counsel
  • Acts as a source of information to attorneys on the special procedures of the judge, answers procedural questions, and assists with compliance
  • Creating/drafting legal documents to record pertinent results of courtroom proceedings
  • Maintain highly federal confidential documents/ cases
  • Delegate meetings, including scheduling, sending reminders, via email, project management, reports development, coordination, and consultation
  • Manage electronic court recording operator duties — attending, recording, and logging court proceedings/meetings
  • Manage documents received correctly on the record and audits documents placed by others (attorneys, court staff) on the record to ensure they conform with all court guidelines and requirements. Assuring all filings and motions conform to federal and local rules of practice
  • Edited pleadings submitted by attorneys prior to filing them in court.
  • Drafted motions, briefs and other legal documents.
  • Worked with cross-functional teams to achieve goals.
  • Mentor/trainer
  • Prepares special reports, statistical records of matters before the Judge.
  • Conducted research on relevant statutes, case law, regulations, and legal articles.
  • Assisted in the drafting of contracts, wills, trusts, leases, mortgages, corporate documents.

Operations Specialist

United States District Court
03.2020 - 10.2021
  • Responded to inquiries from members of the public regarding court operations and procedures.
  • Received and submitted payments for fees and fines, accurately tracking amounts, issuing receipts and updating computer systems.
  • Places documents received correctly on the record and audits documents placed by others (Attorneys, court staff) on the record to ensure they conform with all court guidelines and requirements
  • Assuring all filings and motions conform to federal and local rules of practice; filing documents; scanning documents, opening cases upon receipt of initiating documents, such as complaints, indictments, or petitions
  • Creating/drafting legal documents to record pertinent results of courtroom proceedings
  • Attended required meetings and conferences as well as training sessions to develop and maintain understanding of current conventions and laws.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional team to define features and build powerful and easy-to-use products and customer-facing workflow tools.
  • Examined legal documents and assured adherence to laws and court procedures.
  • Maintained a database of information about current cases and past rulings.

Court Service Assistant III

Los Angeles Superior Court of California
01.2016 - 03.2020
  • Advised supervisors, judges and other office members on records, case status and other developments, alerting of approaching deadlines and procedural requirements.
  • Compiled statistical data related to court operations for reports or analysis purposes.
  • Attended court proceedings and recorded minutes of the hearing.
  • Sending notices to Attorney General, California Appellate Project, minors attorney and Court of Appeals
  • Creating/drafting legal documents to record pertinent results of courtroom proceedings
  • Answered phone calls from members of the public seeking information about court policies or procedures.
  • Conducted research and prepared legal documents, including summonses, subpoenas, motions, orders, judgments and writs of execution.
  • Managed calendars for judges and ensured that all deadlines were met in a timely manner.
  • Received and submitted payments for fees and fines, accurately tracking amounts, issuing receipts and updating computer systems.
  • Acted as court cashier, processing billing and payments for fines, bonds, bail and other court fees, also recording details of payment and reporting missed deadlines or delinquency.
  • Compiled statistics and court-related information for judge or staff use.
  • Tracked cases and managed electronic and physical records, creating new case files, entering filings, hearings, trials and judgments and closing cases when complete.

Education

A.A. Business Administration/Accounting -

Southwest College

B.A. Interdisciplinary -

California State University Humboldt

Skills

  • Project Support
  • Legal research
  • Strategic planning
  • Excellent critical thinking skills with a strong ability to multi-task
  • Execute filing deadlines and priorities, drafting legal documents
  • Exceptional organization and planning skills
  • Legal technology
  • Contract Negotiation
  • Interpersonal and Written Communication
  • Status Reporting
  • Staff Training

Certification

Notary Public, IL, Year of Commission 2021

Memberships

Corporate Legal Operations Consortium (CLOC)

Timeline

Legal Analyst

Cushman & Wakefield
11.2022 - Current

Courtroom Deputy/ Courtroom Manager

United States District Court – Northern District of Illinois
10.2021 - 10.2022

Operations Specialist

United States District Court
03.2020 - 10.2021

Court Service Assistant III

Los Angeles Superior Court of California
01.2016 - 03.2020

A.A. Business Administration/Accounting -

Southwest College

B.A. Interdisciplinary -

California State University Humboldt

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