Jasmine Dawson
Houston,TX
Summary
Highly organized paralegal with experience in criminal, family, and personal injury law and recent experience in product liability litigation and mass torts. Committed to helping firms build and maintain positive attorney-client relations.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
The Matthews Law Firm/ Temporary Paralegal
Collier Legal Search, LCC
03.2024 - Current
- Drafted discovery responses including interrogatories and requests for production of documents.
- Maintained calendars for upcoming court dates or deadlines related to cases.
- Reviewed and organized legal documents, such as pleadings, motions, and briefs.
- Drafted correspondence to clients and other attorneys.
- Created spreadsheets to track case information and deadlines.
- Filed motions with courts electronically or via hard copy.
- Coordinated witness testimony for depositions.
- Prepared trial notebooks for court proceedings.
- Maintained client files according to established protocols.
- Proofread documents prior to filing them with courts or submitting them to opposing counsels.
- Provided administrative support such as answering phones or scheduling appointments.
- Organized evidence for use at trial or hearing proceedings.
- Reviewed and summarized depositions, transcripts, and other legal documents for attorney review.
- Performed administrative duties such as photocopying, scanning, and organizing legal documents.
- Organized exhibits for trial by preparing materials and supporting documentation.
- Reduced workflow downtime by effectively organizing and managing client billing and case management files.
- Utilized legal software and databases for case management and legal research.
- Prepared and organized materials for trial, including exhibits, witness lists, and evidence.
- Used WestLaw and LexisNexis to examine secondary sources, statutory, and case law and federal and state regulations.
- Entered data into and managed litigation databases and Excel spreadsheets.
- Coordinated and managed case files, ensuring all documents were accurately filed and easily accessible.
- Assisted in drafting and reviewing legal correspondence, including letters, emails, and faxes.
- Knowledgeable dealing with pleadings, affidavits, motions and exhibit preparation.
- Organized legal documents in company filing systems and databases.
Paralegal, Personal Injury Law Firm
McDonald Worley
10.2021 - 04.2023
- Legal assistant for personal injury and nursing home maltreatment
- Assist with everything from clerical tasks such as answering phones to assisting lawyers in the litigation and legal procedure of each case
- Understanding of medical terminology, common injuries, and basic human anatomy
- Preparing witnesses and clients for depositions
- Transcribing legal documents
- Scheduling court hearings, depositions, and other proceedings
- Trial preparation
- Understand and stay up to date with state laws governing personal injury
- Review police and witness reports
- Schedule medical examination appointments and follow up with clients
- Gather and review medical reports and insurance information
- Interview clients about accidents and injuries specific to each case
- Basic litigation duties
- Draft and organize legal documents such as [subpoenas, motions, and witness lists]
- Manage case files, digitizing any physical documents
- Contributed to legal research for [upcoming trials]
Legal Assistant, Criminal Defense and Family Law Firm
Morris Law Firm
07.2019 - 09.2021
- Client-focused, computer-savvy legal assistant with a history of exemplary-rated performance within a leading Houston criminal defense/family law firm
- Highly professional assistant with a comprehensive command of legal, office, administrative, and clerical support functions combined with a knowledge of legal documents, court filings, and legal procedures
- Dedicated, reliable, and able to handle a high volume of assignments
- Known for positive attitude and flexibility—always willing to change work tasks and assist attorneys and paralegals throughout the firm
- Support attorneys by performing administrative, clerical, and accounting functions
- Handle client relations; administer payroll; manage A/P and A/R; maintain the firm’s calendar; and produce documents involving litigation, contract agreements, by-laws, briefs, memorandums of law, and affidavits
- A key player in providing excellent client service and ensuring smooth internal operations
- Contributions and Accomplishments:
- Introduced a color-coded system that made the docket calendar more effective and user-friendly
- Resolved 6-month billing backlog, bringing all accounts receivable (A/R) up to date
- Managed a range of confidential records, processes, and documents throughout legal proceedings such as litigation, settlement negotiations, depositions, divorce, and criminal matters
- Coordinated logistics and document preparation for court proceedings and meetings
- Effectively managed high-volume workload of word processing assignments and court filings
- Improved the organization and security of both paper and computerized files
- Implemented new systems and safeguards to protect confidential client information and firm records
- Ensured prompt responses to phone/email inquiries and displayed professionalism in all client interactions
Administrative Assistant
Wells Fargo
11.2014 - 09.2018
- Provided a variety of administrative support duties for two Vice Presidents, five Senior Directors, and four Departments
- Collaborated with the Vice President to plan and execute all aspects of office expansion that went from 15 to 50 employee space
- The project was completed on schedule and within budget
- Created the first tracking sheet for travel arrangements that increased efficiency by providing immediate access to all trip details for four executives and ten managers
- Created and organized Friday Briefing Breakfasts that enabled 50 employees to network and keep current on departmental operations in an informal setting
- Increased efficiency and accountability by implementing the first tracking sheet to record and document all equipment, supplies, and materials purchased
- The solution enabled the department to stay within budget
- Asked to counsel employees on performance issues
- Provided support to customers to ensure satisfaction
Project Management, Eglin Air Force Base
United States Air Force
12.2007 - 10.2014
- Coordinated all project activities and plans to ensure the availability of services and staffing to meet the mission goals and objectives of the Technical Support team
- Managed timely procurement of contract resources within budgetary requirements
- Ensured timely delivery of tools and support materials
- Contributed to best-in-class execution of objectives and customer satisfaction excellence through continual review and development of tools, support materials, and quality improvements
Education
Bachelor of Political Science -
Southern New Hampshire University
07.2024
Associate of Paralegal Studies -
Center of Advanced Legal Studies
01.2022
Certification in Paralegal Studies -
07.2021
Bachelor of Science Early Childhood Education -
Central Michigan University
06.2005
Skills
- Excellent time management skills with a demonstrated ability to prioritize and handle multiple projects in fast-paced environments Customer service focus Detail-oriented with the successful implementation of solutions to create optimal efficiency Work well independently and as a team member Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to collaborate with diverse individuals
- Technical Skills: Knowledgeable with Needles, Litify, Ring Central, Nitro, and Westlaw Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, SAP, and SRM
Timeline
The Matthews Law Firm/ Temporary Paralegal
Collier Legal Search, LCC
03.2024 - Current
Paralegal, Personal Injury Law Firm
McDonald Worley
10.2021 - 04.2023
Legal Assistant, Criminal Defense and Family Law Firm
Morris Law Firm
07.2019 - 09.2021
Administrative Assistant
Wells Fargo
11.2014 - 09.2018
Project Management, Eglin Air Force Base
United States Air Force
12.2007 - 10.2014
Bachelor of Political Science -
Southern New Hampshire University
Associate of Paralegal Studies -
Center of Advanced Legal Studies
Certification in Paralegal Studies -
Bachelor of Science Early Childhood Education -
Central Michigan University