Julia D. Forgas
Tampa,FL
Summary
Knowledgeable judicial assistant with solid background supporting judicial operations and facilitating efficient case management. I effectively managed complex schedules and streamlined court processes, ensuring timely case resolutions and superior organizational support with meticulous attention to detail. Demonstrated ability to manage legal documents and coordinate schedules to ensure smooth courtroom proceedings. Proven skills in legal research and communication, enhancing functionality of judicial settings.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Second District Court of Appeal Judicial Assistant
The Hon. Anne-Leigh Gaylord Moe
02.2025 - Current
- Provide organizational support for the judge's caseload and monitor office activity to ensure efficient workflow, prioritizing tasks according to urgency and deadlines.
- Maintain the judge's calendar scheduling meetings, conferences, and court calendar events using Outlook.
- Review and proofread opinions for Blue Book and Style Manual compliance.
- Prepare summaries or compilations for Staff Attorney and judicial review as well as orders and opinions for dissemination to other suites/judicial offices and the clerk's office.
- Perform case management via the C-Track system.
- Consistently exhibit excellent attention-to-detail skills when reviewing and processing legal documents, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
- Make travel arrangements and reimbursement submissions for court related business.
- Gather and organize information giving reports to the suite on case progress and deadlines using Excel.
- Maintain office communications through email and Microsoft Teams.
- Perform case law research using Westlaw.
13th Circuit Judicial Assistant, Hillsborough Co.
The Hon. Anne-Leigh Gaylord Moe
05.2018 - 01.2025
- Prepared and managed the Judge’s court and professional calendar coordinating and scheduling motions, pre-trial hearings, trials, conferences, and committee meetings; maintained trial dockets, continuances and trial orders using Outlook and JAWS; assisted attorneys with procedures on filing motions and hearing dates.
- Expedited case resolution by conducting thorough pre-screenings of pleadings and motions for completeness and compliance.
- Assisted in the implementation of the new Differentiated Case Management System, created by Judge Moe, which successfully lead to increased timely disposition of circuit civil cases.
- Helped oversee and run the creation and dissolution of a separate, specific division to address the influx of filed cases due to the enactment of HB 837 in March of 2023.
- Maintained confidentiality of sensitive information while processing cases with discretion and professionalism.
- Streamlined court processes by organizing and maintaining accurate case files and records.
- Reviewed case files for format compliance and completeness prior to submitting to the Judge for hearings.
- Coordinated remote hearings effectively using video conferencing technology such as Zoom and Webex during unexpected situations such as pandemic restrictions or inclement weather events.
- Ensured timely communication with attorneys, litigants, and witnesses for smooth courtroom proceedings.
- Maintained court dockets and updated disposition of cases after court hearings and trials.
- Prepared court orders and judgments for signature.
- Responded to in-person and telephone requests for information from general public, attorneys and other involved parties.
- Coordinated courtroom proceedings and enforced adherence to proper procedures.
- Managed administrative duties such as filing documents, scheduling meetings and tracking case statuses.
- Reviewed complaints, petitions, motions and pleadings to aid the Judge in her case management.
- Interacted with judges, attorneys, pro se parties, clerks and other court personnel to resolve scheduling issues or other case related issues.
- Screened telephone calls and visitors to the judge’s office; provided information, resolved issues, directed callers/visitors to proper personnel or agency, and took messages.
- Composed and/or edited correspondence, memoranda, directives, notices, orders, reports, e-mails, and other documents observing strict confidentiality.
- Made judicial travel arrangements and processed travel vouchers for reimbursement through STMS.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Criminology
University of South Florida
Tampa, FL05-1996
Associate of Arts - Liberal Arts
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL05-1993
Skills
- Document drafting
- Case analysis
- Proofreading
- Strong organization
- Case file preparation
- Schedule management
- Document preparation
- Attention to detail
- Task prioritization
- Docket management
- Calendar management
- Multitasking
Accomplishments
2022 Judicial Assistant of the Year
Timeline
Second District Court of Appeal Judicial Assistant
The Hon. Anne-Leigh Gaylord Moe
02.2025 - Current
13th Circuit Judicial Assistant, Hillsborough Co.
The Hon. Anne-Leigh Gaylord Moe
05.2018 - 01.2025
Bachelor of Arts - Criminology
University of South Florida
Associate of Arts - Liberal Arts
Florida State University