Joanna Merhi
Clermont,FL
Summary
Detail-oriented Legal Support Specialist with strong skills in legal research and document preparation. Experienced in coordinating complex schedules and managing case files to enhance workflow efficiency.
Professional with extensive experience in legal support and administration. Expertise in legal research, document preparation, and case management. Strong focus on team collaboration and achieving results, flexible with changing needs. Known for reliability, effective communication, and maintaining high standards.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Legal Support Specialist
Citibank
Tampa, FL
11.2022 - 01.2026
- Assisted in preparing legal documents and correspondence for attorney review.
- Organized case files and maintained electronic document management system for efficient retrieval.
- Conducted legal research to support case preparation and client inquiries effectively.
- Coordinated scheduling of court dates, meetings, and deadlines to enhance workflow efficiency.
- Participated in training sessions to enhance knowledge of legal procedures and software tools utilized in practice.
- Provided paralegal and administrative support to the litigation and regulatory attorneys supporting various Citi businesses.
- Researched and analyzed statutes, requirements and codes relating to various class actions.
- Prepared legal documents and provided information to attorneys on matters relating to fraud, complex litigation, and trade investigations.
- Assisted attorneys in responding to litigations, arbitrations, regulatory inquiries, investigations, and subpoenas.
- Gathered responsive information and documents, reviewed legal documents and e-mails, drafted and distributed document preservation notices, drafted letters, prepared documents for production to regulators, processed settlement payments, and prepared regulatory filings.
- Prepared and drafted regulatory documents and investigations in response to FINRA inquiries.
- Coordinated with and assist retained outside counsel on complex matters.
- Liaised with internal support functions and business clients.
- Processed paralegal lead subpoenas from government agencies and outside law firms, and independently gathered information and documents in order to respond to the requests.
- Conducted data analysis for class action lawsuits and federal lawsuits.
- Assisted with special projects and internal audits as needed.
Paralegal
Pinellas County Sheriff's Office
Largo, FL
06.2021 - 11.2022
- Conducted legal research and prepared case summaries for ongoing investigations.
- Assisted attorneys in drafting legal documents, ensuring compliance with procedural standards.
- Organized and maintained case files, enhancing efficiency of document retrieval processes.
- Coordinated communication between law enforcement agencies and legal teams to facilitate case progress.
- Assisted in the timely drafting and filing of legal documents and case-preparation such as motions, complaints, summons, notices, written discovery, and subpoenas.
- Prepared Affidavits on behalf of Detectives in connection with seizure of currency under Chapter 893 and the Florida Contraband Forfeiture Act · Prepared pleadings and responses to Florida Statute §768 claims.
- Preserved records in connection with ongoing investigation, including body worn cameras, forensics evidence, and emergency calls.
- Prepared thorough investigations of claimants for the purpose of identifying the authenticity of their allegations.
- Maintained confidentiality of cases and ongoing investigations.
Paralegal
Shelton McKean
St. Petersburg, FL
01.2017 - 06.2021
- Managed evidence documentation, ensuring accuracy and adherence to protocols for chain of custody.
- Reviewed and analyzed discovery materials, identifying relevant information for case development.
- Trained new paralegals on office procedures and legal research methodologies to improve team performance.
- Streamlined filing systems, reducing retrieval time and improving access to critical case information.
- Provided legal, trial and administrative support for team of ten attorneys within busy civil litigation practice.
- Managed paralegal activities as well as daily office functions, such as scheduling and billing.
- Assisted attorneys in the timely drafting and filing of legal documents and case preparation correspondence for court appearances, hearings, depositions, trials and meetings.
- Oversaw 60+ cases for clients including State Farm Insurance Company and Wal-Mart.
- Prepared case exhibits and evidence for use at trial.
- Prepared thorough investigations of claimants for the purpose of identifying the authenticity of their allegations.
- Prepared HIPAA compliant documents.
Paralegal
Banker Lopez Gassler, P.A.
St. Petersburg, FL
03.2015 - 01.2017
- Reduced attorney workload by drafting routine legal documents such as pleadings, motions, and affidavits.
- Managed scheduling of court calendars and deadlines to maintain smooth flow of firm operations.
- Enhanced case efficiency by organizing and maintaining legal documents, files, and correspondence.
- Assisted counsel in preparing answers, providing documentation, and information for discovery request.
- Prepared HIPAA compliant documents including Subpoenas and authorizations.
- Investigated medical records for the purpose of identifying prior and subsequent claims.
- Prepared Private Investigators for locating and performing surveillance for insurance companies.
- Assisted in the preparation for trials, depositions and mediations.
Legal Assistant
Law Office of Thamir Kaddouri
Tampa, FL
06.2014 - 03.2015
- Managed case files, ensuring accurate documentation and compliance with legal standards.
- Prepared legal documents, including pleadings and discovery requests, for attorney review.
- Coordinated scheduling of client meetings, court appearances, and depositions to optimize workflow.
- Conducted legal research to support case preparation and strategy development for ongoing cases.
- Drafted and proofread letters to clients regarding the status of their case.
- Analyzed pleadings filed by other parties to determine the next steps of discovery.
- Authored various types of documents, such as HIPPA forms, subpoenas requesting medical records, and subpoenas for Depositions, for use in trials.
- Drafted pleadings and orders and file them with the Court.
- Performed inductive and deductive reasoning when helping attorneys with discovery.
Education
Specialization Certificate - Paralegal Studies
St. Petersburg College
Clearwater, FL07-2014
Bachelor of Arts - Communications
The University of Tampa
Tampa, FL05-2011
Skills
- Court filings
- Legal analysis
- Legal research
- Legal writing
- Notary public
- Statistical and data analysis skills
- Ability to work under strict deadlines and close supervision
- Excellent communication skills, both orally and in writing
- Strong organizational skills
- Highly detail oriented
- Analytical thinker
- Exceptional work ethic
- Dedicated, efficient and flexible
- Self-motivated with high desire of self-development and learning
- Investigative techniques
Certification
Paralegal Studies Certification,
Languages
Arabic
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Legal Support Specialist
Citibank
11.2022 - 01.2026
Paralegal
Pinellas County Sheriff's Office
06.2021 - 11.2022
Paralegal
Shelton McKean
01.2017 - 06.2021
Paralegal
Banker Lopez Gassler, P.A.
03.2015 - 01.2017
Legal Assistant
Law Office of Thamir Kaddouri
06.2014 - 03.2015
Specialization Certificate - Paralegal Studies
St. Petersburg College
Bachelor of Arts - Communications
The University of Tampa