Hi, I’m
Janera Caba
New York,NY
The aim of life is to live, and to live means to be aware, joyously, drunkenly, serenely, divinely aware.
Henry Miller
Summary
Devoted legal support worker brings great people skills, attention to detail and organized approach to managing high workloads. Assists individuals of diverse backgrounds with basic legal needs. Great at managing time and advanced with word processing software, legal database research and digital recordkeeping systems. Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals.
Overview
16
years of professional experience
Work History
The Bronx DefendersBronx, NY
Team Administrator
04.2017 - Current
Job overview
- Inform clients about important issues including but not limited to missed court appearances, change of court date and reassignment of counsel. Draft notices of appeal. Produce incarcerated clients for counsel visits and court appearances. Schedule video conferences. Reserve conference rooms for meetings. Order and retrieve court transcripts. Produce PowerPoint presentations for trial advocacy or other client needs. File motions and retrieve discovery or case records for criminal, family and civil practices. Periodically provide general clerical support such as faxing, scanning and copying documents. Obtain copies of court files for attorneys. Obtain criminal history/record information using tools such as CRIMS and WebCRIMS. Occasionally assist with translation or interpretation services for team members when possibly needed. Assist with general work environment conditions for team such as checking printers and Xerox copiers to ensure proper functioning, stocking supplies, and organizing files and storage spaces. Stay informed of team members' whereabouts, assist with emergency client needs. Provide notary services. Provide coverage for colleagues. Cover different areas in office, including reception and arraignments (Criminal Defense Practice/Housing/Family Defense Practice) when needed. Cover urgent requests, including copying court files and file motions, and entering cases. Electronically open, close, transfer and update cases for various practices. Provide efficient and timely data entry returning case files to staff within 24 hours of receipt. Maintain accurate client contact information when made available and perform due diligence in updating this information whenever possible. Maintain warrant files, update files, and electronically re- open bench warrant cases when appropriate. Request files from and send physical case files to off-site archive. Run weekly Dead Case Reports and update cases daily, provide support to interdisciplinary teams by coordinating and executing support and administrative needs of team and by maintaining and managing client and case information. Obtaining Certificate of Dispositions, filing motions and notices of appeals copying court files, and obtaining transcripts from court reporters on weekly basis. Filed court documents and legal pleadings with court clerk on behalf of attorneys. Developed positive working relationship with courts, clients, law enforcement members and attorneys. Managed general clerical needs such as opening and closing files, scanning sheets and faxing documents. Adapted to workflow changes and implemented continuous process improvements to overcome obstacles. Manage agendas and calendars, boosting productivity and improving organizational initiatives. Participate in professional development initiatives for consistent improvement and up-to-date knowledge of emerging trends and best practices. Work with community to increase local firm's presence and assisted partners with reputation management and branding. Manage accounts and client records of clients, observing confidentiality and extreme discretion. Work alongside attorneys, administrative assistants and fellow legal assistants on complex cases and legal processes. File court documents and legal pleadings with court clerk on behalf of attorneys. Communicate pertinent information to clients via phone, email, or mail. Handle electronic court filings and coordinate Department of Correction activities.
I The Legal Aid SocietyNew York, NY
Support Staff
05.2008 - 03.2017
Job overview
- Copy, collate, and batch documents for in-office distribution of various documents; Prepared routine legal correspondence and memorandum for attorney partners. Entered and searched data on various legal databases. Generated daily, weekly, and monthly reports from various databases as needed. Provided general information to clients, vendors, and staff. Reviewed, coded, and processed documents and files. Created physical case files. Provided general information to clients, vendors and staff. Created and distributed time sheets to employees for signatures and record-keeping purposes. Oral/Written translation assistance for Spanish speaking clients, if and when needed. Maintained organization of office physical file storage room. Assigning closing number to cases no longer active , as well as any tasks assigned. Interim acting office manager duties on needed basis. Answered telephone and assisted callers by providing information or directing to appropriate employee. Assisted employees with making copies, sending faxes and filing paperwork. Aided clients completing paperwork by explaining instructions and requirements. Communicated with clients on behalf of staff to relay messages and information. Attended training sessions to stay updated on procedures and services. Created and maintained detailed administrative processes and procedures to drive efficiency and accuracy. Opened and properly distributed incoming mail to promote quicker response to client or agencies inquiries. Successfully completed special projects to exceed goals of both Civil legal department and overall organization. Continually sought methods for improving daily operations, communications with clients, record-keeping and data entry for increased efficiency. Assisted coworkers and staff members with special tasks on daily basis. Transcribed and organized information to assist in preparing speeches and presentations. Built and maintained excellent client and staff relationships through timely response to inquiries and going above and beyond to accommodate unusual requests. Managed filing system, entered data and completed other clerical tasks. Managed phone and email correspondence and handled incoming and outgoing mail and faxes. Answered and managed incoming and outgoing calls while recording accurate messages for distribution to office staff. Maintained physical and computer-based filing systems. Improved physical storage filing systems with enhancements to organizational strategies. Created reports, correspondence and spreadsheets with Microsoft Office/Excel programs. Completed forms, reports, logs and records to quickly handle all documentation for human resources. Managed filing system, entered data and completed other clerical tasks. Facilitated timely delivery of special projects to meet organizational and departmental objectives. Managed administrative tasks for firm partners and associates. Created intake sheets for English and Spanish clients and conducted interviews in both languages. Supported administration and research processes for civil litigation cases. Provided administrative support and research for civil litigation and civil proceedings. Compiled documentation, ensuring accuracy and detail for legal briefs, responses to opposing counsel, motions to court and trial exhibits.
Family CourtNew York, NY
File Clerk/Court Assistant
01.2006 - 04.2008
Job overview
- Responded to internal and external requests for information. Upheld confidentiality of information to avoid potential data breaches and client lawsuits. Answered inquiries from general public regarding judicial procedures, court appearances and trial dates. Used NYS Unified Court System to prepare dockets or calendars of cases. Drafted professional court correspondence to facilitate legal proceedings. Prepared and distributed court orders, petitions, and affidavit of service information. Searched files and contacted attorneys and litigants to obtain information for court. Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed. Answered telephone calls, took messages and transferred calls to appropriate colleagues. Worked closely with applicants to determine eligibility and verify accuracy and integrity of application data. Created documents with applicant information and verified data against NYS Unified Court System database information.
Education
John Jay College of Criminal Justice of The City University of New YorkNew York, NY
Master of Arts from Forensic Psychology
John Jay College of Criminal Justice of The City University of New YorkNew York, NY
Bachelor of Arts from Forensic Psychology
Bronx Community College of The City University of New YorkThe Bronx, NY
Associate of Arts from Criminal Justice
05.2021
Notary Association New York, NY
Notary Public/ Notary Trainer /
07.2017
Skills
- Excellent Organizational Skills
- Strong Customer Relations Skills
- File/Record Maintenance
- Microsoft Office / Outlook / PowerPoint / Excel Proficient
- Resourceful and Analytical
- Telephone Answering, 12-Line System
- 10-Key Calculator
- Multitasking Proficient
- Able to Work Under Pressure
- Notary Public
- Computer Proficiency / 80 WPM
- Filing/NYS Unified Court System/Law Manager/PIKA knowledgeable
- Quick Learner
- Able to meet Assignment Deadlines
- Information Confidentiality
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Availability
See my work availability
Not Available
Available
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Timeline
Team Administrator
The Bronx Defenders
04.2017 - Current
Support Staff
I The Legal Aid Society
05.2008 - 03.2017
File Clerk/Court Assistant
Family Court
01.2006 - 04.2008
John Jay College of Criminal Justice of The City University of New York
Master of Arts from Forensic Psychology
John Jay College of Criminal Justice of The City University of New York
Bachelor of Arts from Forensic Psychology
Bronx Community College of The City University of New York
Associate of Arts from Criminal Justice
Notary Association
Notary Public/ Notary Trainer /
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