Jill Prather
Denham Springs,USA
Summary
Detail-oriented legal assistant combining over 25 years of experience in various legal fields as well as administrative support. Adept at drafting critical legal documents, managing litigation timelines, and ensuring compliance with legal standards to enhance overall case effectiveness.
Overview
2027
2027
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Paralegal
Trichell Law Firm
Baton Rouge, LA
02.2025 - Current
- Assisted attorneys with pleadings, including discovery motions and trial preparation, ensuring comprehensive legal documentation.
- Coordinated trial date scheduling, optimizing court readiness and attorney availability.
- Collaborated with insurance companies and medical professionals to facilitate timely claims processing.
- Conducted research on legal precedents and statutes to strengthen case strategies.
- Gathered necessary information and documents from clients for case development.
- Organized and maintained case files, ensuring compliance with documentation standards.
- Drafted various legal documents and pleadings for attorney review.
- Managed discovery processes, including document review and production, while advising on filing deadlines.
Paralegal/Legal Assistant to Josh Anderson
Dudley DeBosier Injury Lawyers
Baton Rouge, LA
03.2019 - 02.2025
- Drafted pleadings, including petitions for damages and motions to compel.
- Prepared legal demands for compensation to support client claims.
- Established new case files to enhance overall management efficiency.
- Requested crash reports to strengthen investigations and case outcomes.
- Managed disbursal of settlement funds for timely resolutions.
- Organized trial calendars to streamline scheduling processes.
- Communicated with clients to address inquiries and provide updates on cases.
- Conducted legal research to support strategic case preparation.
Manager
Lowes
Baton Rouge, LA
2015 - 2018
- Managed daily store operations to streamline workflow and drive customer satisfaction.
- Coached, mentored and trained team members in order to improve their job performance.
- Trained team members on product knowledge and customer service techniques.
- Oversaw merchandising efforts to optimize product visibility and enhance store layout.
- Developed and implemented strategies to elevate customer satisfaction and foster loyalty.
- Enforced customer service standards and resolved customer problems to uphold quality service.
- Resolved customer inquiries and complaints to uphold company service standards.
- Collaborated with department heads to align strategies with operational goals.
- Conducted performance reviews to assess staff effectiveness and provide feedback.
- Monitored staff performance and addressed issues.
- Conducted regular meetings with staff to discuss progress and identify areas of improvement.
- Assigned tasks to associates to fit skill levels and maximize team performance.
- Analyzed customer feedback data to develop action plans for improving services offered.
- Resolved conflicts between employees by providing guidance on company policies and procedures.
- Implemented safety protocols to promote a secure shopping environment for customers.
- Completed thorough opening, closing, and shift change functions to maintain operational standards each day.
- Provided leadership during times of organizational change or crisis situations.
- Managed vendor relationships by negotiating contracts and ensuring timely delivery of goods and services.
- Coordinated inventory management to maintain optimal stock levels and organization.
- Led team meetings and one-on-one coaching sessions to continuously improve performance.
- Assessed team members' skillsets and assigned tasks accordingly for optimal efficiency.
Sales Coordinator
Home Depot
Baton Rouge, LA
2013 - 2015
- Managed client relationships by responding promptly to inquiries and addressing any issues that arose during the course of a sale.
- Processed customer orders and resolved inquiries to maintain high levels of customer satisfaction.
- Conducted follow-up calls with customers after each sale.
- Assisted in creating sales presentations and delivered product knowledge to enhance staff and customer understanding.
- Collaborated with marketing to design promotional materials that improved visibility of in-store displays.
- Supported the implementation of sales strategies to drive store performance.
Paralegal to Scott Fruge'
deGravelles, Palmintier, Holthaus & Fruge', LLP
Baton Rouge, LA
2012 - 2013
- Drafted wrongful death petitions, settlement demands, and discovery to support case strategies.
- Gathered relevant documentation and evidence for medical malpractice and wrongful death cases to strengthen legal arguments.
- Coordinated with doctors' offices and medical facilities to obtain medical records and schedule depositions and court appearances.
- Calendared deadlines as well as prepped clients and prepared court binders.
- Scheduled and coordinated travel arrangements for depositions and mediation.
- Organized and maintained case files in a structured manner.
- Reviewed discovery materials for relevance and compliance requirements.
- Provided administrative support such as answering phones or scheduling appointments.
- Maintained client files according to established protocols.
Paralegal to Ren Wilkes, Tim Gray, Joseph Morton and Marc Bitner
Forman, Perry, Watkins, Krutz & Tardy, LLP
New Orleans, LA
2007 - 2011
- Conducted research on mass tort cases regarding asbestos and hearing loss to inform legal strategies.
- Drafted and revised interrogatories, motions to enroll, and answers to support case preparation.
- Prepared deposition outlines and transcribed pleadings to facilitate effective trial presentations.
- Coordinated travel arrangements and teleconferences.
- Handled accounting for the New Orleans branch and filled in for the office receptionist during absences.
- Organized and maintained case files and legal documentation efficiently.
- Assisted attorneys in trial preparation by compiling evidence and exhibits.
- Maintained calendars for upcoming court dates or deadlines related to cases.
- Drafted correspondence to clients and other attorneys.
- Proofread documents prior to filing them with courts or submitting them to opposing counsels.
- Organized client calendars, prepared mailings and handled high call volumes.
- Organized exhibits for trial by preparing materials and supporting documentation.
- Prepared Attorneys Time and balanced account
Legal Assistant to Lance Kinchen, David Cassidy, Leo Hamilton and Van Mayhall, III
Breazeale, Sachse & Wilson, LLC
2001 - 2007
- Produced interrogatories and answers on environmental and contract law for significant clients such as Shell Oil and Labaurge Casino.
- Ensured compliance of insurance defense documents with legal standards and client needs through revisions.
- Developed incorporation documents encompassing articles of incorporation and organization for various business entities.
- Specialized in oil and gas insurance defense, contract law, labor and employment, and construction law matters.
- Provided legal expertise in wills, successions, and tax law to assist clients with estate planning.
Real Estate Agent
Hallmark Building Company
Colorado Springs, Colorado
1993 - 1999
- Assisted clients in buying new homes from a home builder.
- Prepared Contracts and set up closings.
- Prepared and presented property listings to potential buyers.
- Organized and hosted open houses to showcase properties effectively.
- Built relationships with clients through effective communication and support.
- Coordinated property viewings and scheduled appointments for clients.
- Responded promptly to client inquiries via phone or email.
- Managed real estate transactions from initiation to closing.
- Coordinated appointments to show homes to prospective buyers.
- Negotiated purchase agreements and contracts with buyers and sellers.
Division Order Analyst
Placid Refining Company
Port Allen, LA
1992 - 1993
- Determined royalty percentages owed to beneficiaries based on legal documentation post-death of spouse or sibling.
- Reviewed legal documents pertaining to oil well royalty interests for compliance and accurate distribution.
- Collaborated with companies, including Hunt Oil, to enhance project outcomes and streamline royalty processes.
- Reviewed legal descriptions to ensure proper title ownership documentation.
- Communicated with stakeholders regarding changes in ownership or lease agreements.
- Ensured compliance with company policies, procedures, laws and regulations pertaining to division order processing.
- Interpreted oil and gas leases and associated documents including deeds, assignments, affidavits.
- Prepared division orders in accordance with state regulations and company policies.
- Verified accuracy of data used in calculations for royalty payments.
- Researched joint interest billing issues to ensure accurate processing.
- Reviewed and analyzed title documents for mineral ownership, leasehold interests, and surface rights.
- Analyzed division order documents for accuracy and compliance with company policies.
Secretary to Emile Rolfs
Mangham, Hardy, Rolfs & Abadie
Baton Rouge, LA
1990 - 1992
- Managed scheduling and appointments for attorneys and clients.
- Facilitated timely communication between clients and legal staff, enhancing responsiveness.
- Answered incoming phone calls with professionalism, ensuring effective communication.
- Maintained organized confidential client files and legal documents, supporting efficient access for the legal team.
- Assisted in preparing legal correspondence and documents for court filings.
- Maintained organized filing systems for case files and client records.
- Organized office events and meetings to ensure smooth operations daily.
- Recorded hours worked accurately for payroll processing.
Education
Associates Degree - General Studies-Criminal Justice-Psychology
Baton Rouge Community College
Baton Rouge, LAAssociates Degree - Business Administration
Pensacola Christian College
Pensacola, FLParalegal - Legal
Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, LABrokers License - Real Estate
Burk Baker School of Real Estate
Colorado Springs, COHigh school diploma or GED -
Central Baptist High School
Baton Rouge, LASkills
- Litigation support
- Legal research
- Pleading drafting
- Legal drafting
- Document review experience
- Personal injury law
- Personal injury expertise
- Commercial litigation
- Civil litigation support
- Corporate law
- Contract law
- Environmental law
- Estate planning proficiency
- Legal document management
- Real estate transactions
- Discovery preparation
- E-filing court documents
- Filing court documents
- Legal support experience
- Data collection
- Task management
- Record keeping
- Database management
- Document control
- Legal office administration
- Legal administrative support
- Legal support experience
- Team management experience
- Administrative support
- Office management
- Team leadership
- Video conferencing
- Project team coordination
- Corporate law
- Client relations
- Client advocacy
- Communication skills
- Written communication
- Report writing
- Interviewing
- Court hearing scheduling
- Proofreading
- Zoom
- Westlaw
- LexisNexis
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Outlook
- Adobe Acrobat
- SharePoint
- Typing
- Grammar
- Analysis skills
- Decision making
- Negotiation
- Leadership
- Delegation
- Customer service
- Case Management
- Supporting legal cases
- Deposition assistance
- Legal note-taking
- Legal experience
- Office experience
- Civil litigation support
- Class action support
- Legal analysis
- Negotiation
- Proofreading
- Case Management
- Commercial litigation support
- IManage
- Discovery preparation
- Civil litigation support
- Delegation
- E-filing documents
- Class action support
- Legal analysis
- Real estate law
Certification
- Paralegal
- Real Estate Broker
- Real Estate Agent
Additional Information
Strong problem solving skills. Loyal and efficient. Team oriented as well as working well independently. Strong typing and computer skills.
Accomplishments
- English Honors at BRCC
- Client Reviews, Handling Files and Teamwork Award - Given a travel vouchure for $15,000 to travel anywhere in the world from Dudley DeBosier
- Awarded Volunteer of the Month with CASA
- Awarded $500 gift card from the Regional Manager of Home Depot (who flew in to give the award and asked if they could use the card for all of their marketing in the Southeast Region) for making a sales card for people to use our outside sales services - ie, AC, Generator, Cabinets, etc.
Affiliations
- Volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and CASA
Archery
Horseback Riding
Hiking
Timeline
Senior Paralegal
Trichell Law Firm
02.2025 - Current
Paralegal/Legal Assistant to Josh Anderson
Dudley DeBosier Injury Lawyers
03.2019 - 02.2025
Manager
Lowes
2015 - 2018
Sales Coordinator
Home Depot
2013 - 2015
Paralegal to Scott Fruge'
deGravelles, Palmintier, Holthaus & Fruge', LLP
2012 - 2013
Paralegal to Ren Wilkes, Tim Gray, Joseph Morton and Marc Bitner
Forman, Perry, Watkins, Krutz & Tardy, LLP
2007 - 2011
Legal Assistant to Lance Kinchen, David Cassidy, Leo Hamilton and Van Mayhall, III
Breazeale, Sachse & Wilson, LLC
2001 - 2007
Real Estate Agent
Hallmark Building Company
1993 - 1999
Division Order Analyst
Placid Refining Company
1992 - 1993
Secretary to Emile Rolfs
Mangham, Hardy, Rolfs & Abadie
1990 - 1992
Associates Degree - General Studies-Criminal Justice-Psychology
Baton Rouge Community College
Associates Degree - Business Administration
Pensacola Christian College
Paralegal - Legal
Louisiana State University
Brokers License - Real Estate
Burk Baker School of Real Estate
High school diploma or GED -
Central Baptist High School