Heather Cate
Silverthorne,CO
Summary
Senior legal operations professional supporting a remote online travel company. Partner with General Counsel and cross-functional teams to strengthen compliance, reduce legal risk, and streamline contracting and matter-management workflows. Trusted point of contact for outside counsel coordination, legal billing review, and maintaining accurate documentation and reporting to support leadership decision-making.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
Work History
Sr. Legal Coordinator
Fareportal Inc.
New York, NY
01.2022 - Current
- Senior legal coordinator supporting via remotely the legal department of an online travel company. Partner with General Counsel and cross-functional teams to strengthen compliance, reduce legal risk, and streamline contracting and matter-management workflows. Trusted point of contact for outside counsel coordination, legal billing review, and maintaining accurate documentation and reporting to support leadership decision-making.
- Key contributions include:
- Designed and refined contract workflows (negotiation through signature, storage, and obligation tracking) to improve turnaround time and quality control.
- Managed recurring legal programs and process cycles; monitored milestones, risks, and stakeholder communications.
- Led cross-functional legal initiatives to support growth, drive adoption of new processes, and improve operational readiness.
- Served as the primary liaison between Legal and business teams, triaging requests and guiding stakeholders through established intake and approval paths.
- Developed and maintained playbooks and training to improve consistency across contract and matter lifecycles; supported automation where feasible.
- Administered legal systems (document repository, entity management, and contract/matter management), maintaining data integrity and enabling reliable reporting.
- Coordinated special legal projects by aligning timelines, owners, and deliverables; tracked follow-ups through completion.
Legal Coordinator/Senior Assistant Managing Partner
Wilson, Elser, Moskowitz, Edelman & Dicker, LLP
Dallas, TX
02.2013 - 01.2022
- Supported senior leadership with high-volume administrative and legal operations, maintaining confidentiality and accuracy on sensitive matters.
- Coordinated calendars, stakeholders, and shifting priorities to meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Built trusted relationships across the firm and served as a go-to contact for operational questions, issue resolution, and follow-through.
Legal Assistant
Strasburger & Price, LLP
Dallas, TX
03.1999 - 01.2013
- Supported Partners by drafting, formatting, and proofreading legal documents and correspondence for accuracy and completeness.
- Managed time-sensitive deadlines by prioritizing tasks, coordinating schedules, and proactively communicating status and next steps.
- Prepared and reconciled expense reports; coordinated travel arrangements and accommodations to support client and partner needs.
Legal Administrative Assistant
Little, Pedersen, Fankhauser, LLP
Dallas, TX
03.1994 - 03.1999
- Supported managing partners and attorneys with document preparation, scheduling, and day-to-day office operations.
- Maintained organized filing and records systems, handling confidential information with discretion and professionalism.
- Provided responsive client service by tracking requests, managing action items, and ensuring timely follow-through.
Education
Graduate ESS Dallas - Associates Legal Administrative
Executive Secretary School
Dallas, Texas07-1988
High School Diploma -
Waxahachie High
Waxahachie, TX05.1987
Skills
- Legal Operations: Matter management and intake, contract lifecycle, outside counsel coordination, legal billing and budgeting, reporting
- Business & Program Support: Strategic planning, calendar management, event planning, customer service
- Tools & Administration: Microsoft Office, data administration, data entry, time management
- Technical & Systems: Microsoft Office Suite (Excel proficiency) system administration & workflow tools, data entry & database management, Spreadsheet creation & reporting
Timeline
Sr. Legal Coordinator
Fareportal Inc.
01.2022 - Current
Legal Coordinator/Senior Assistant Managing Partner
Wilson, Elser, Moskowitz, Edelman & Dicker, LLP
02.2013 - 01.2022
Legal Assistant
Strasburger & Price, LLP
03.1999 - 01.2013
Legal Administrative Assistant
Little, Pedersen, Fankhauser, LLP
03.1994 - 03.1999
High School Diploma -
Waxahachie High
Graduate ESS Dallas - Associates Legal Administrative
Executive Secretary School