Kerrie LeClercq
Kalamazoo,MI
Summary
Experienced professional with a strong work ethic, advanced writing and organizational skills, and comprehensive experience seeking a position in the public or private sector. A client-focused individual with expertise in managing client intake processes and maintaining prompt and reliable client communication. Skilled in professional writing and case management, valuing a strong emphasis on team collaboration and adaptability to changing needs. Highly skilled in written and oral communication, problem-solving, and maintaining client satisfaction.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
Legal Assistant /Client Intake Specialist
Hills at Law, P.C.
03.2023 - 10.2024
- Maintained strict confidentiality, protecting sensitive client information as required by legal ethics and regulations.
- Conducted initial consultation with potential new clients to obtain all necessary information and assist them with the retention process.
- Managed high-volume workload while maintaining strict attention to detail on every task such as drafting pleadings or summarizing depositions accurately.
- Assisted with trial preparation, including creation of exhibits, compilation of witness lists, and organization of evidence materials.
- Managed correspondence with clients, courts, and opposing counsel, maintaining professionalism and confidentiality.
- Facilitated client meetings and consultations, ensuring all necessary documentation was prepared and available for attorney review.
- Drafted legal documents, including pleadings and motions, to support attorneys in various cases.
- Improved client satisfaction with prompt and effective communication regarding case updates and inquiries.
- Contacted clients to schedule appointments and discuss progress of cases.
- Revised and finalized letters, briefs, and memos.
- Reviewed, edited and proofread litigation for proper grammar, spelling and punctuation.
- Reduced client attrition rates by providing exceptional customer service during the intake process.
- Actively participated in departmental meetings to share insights on process improvements or emerging trends impacting the role of a Client Intake Specialist.
- Conducted thorough follow-ups with clients post-intake, ensuring their needs were met and any issues addressed promptly.
- Boosted team morale with effective communication skills, fostering a positive work environment conducive to productivity.
- Communicated with referral sources, physicians, and associated staff to check documentation for proper signatures.
- Transcribed information from typed or handwritten notes, shorthand or dictation and confirmed accuracy and correct formatting of documents.
- Extensive experience with Driver's License Restoration cases from date of retention through filing with the Secretary of State.
- Handled office scheduling and made notes for deadlines, motions, and other important dates.
- Improved communication between attorneys and clients by scheduling meetings, providing status updates, and relaying critical information promptly.
Criminal Legal Assistant
Willis Law
03.2019 - 11.2022
- Client services, including conducting initial interviews with prospective clients and almost all in-person, telephone and email communications with criminal clientele
- Physical and digital file creation
- Data-entry and file maintenance
- Processing of all in-coming documentation and responsibly for all court filings
- Development of strong and mutually-beneficial working relationships with court staff throughout Southwest Michigan
- Legal writing including letters, stipulations & orders, briefs, and motions
- All duties related to expungement cases prior to hearing
- All duties related to driver's license restoration cases prior to hearing
- All duties related to gun rights cases prior to hearing
- Creation of training manual and contact database for position
- Creation of Excel spreadsheets for maintaining various statistics related to the Criminal Defense practice
- Consistently worked overtime and was available to primary attorney and clientele during evenings, weekends and holidays
Receptionist & Scheduler for Building Department
City of Kalamazoo
12.2017 - 03.2019
- First point of contact for all in-person and telephone contact with the Building Department
- Make appropriate referrals to other departments as necessary
- Scheduling for all Building, Electrical, Mechanical and Plumbing inspections within the City of Kalamazoo
- Scheduling for all rental inspections within the City of Kalamazoo
- Data-entry and documents processing as well as various writing assignments
Operations Coordinator
Kalamazoo Area Building Authority
02.2015 - 09.2017
- Assisting the Building Official with office projects such as document creation, work process improvement and financial reports
- Accounting and bill pay duties, including QuickBooks usage
- Creation and Word, PDF, and Excel documents, particularly for presentation to the Board of Directors
- Various writing duties on behalf of the Building Official, including the quarterly newsletter
- Customer service and processing of Building, Electrical, Mechanical and Plumbing permits for four local jurisdictions
- Scheduling or inspections for multiple inspectors and multiple jurisdictions each day
- Liaison for Board of Directors
Circuit Court Victim Advocate / Witness Coordinator
Kalamazoo Co Prosecutor's Office
12.2012 - 09.2014
- Contact and provide services to all victims of Felony criminal cases, as defined by the Federal Victim Right's Act
- These cases include Adult and Child Sexual Assault, Survivors of Homicide, Armed Robbery, Assault with Intent to do Great Bodily Harm, and other similar charges
- Ensure that victims are kept informed of court proceedings and outcomes, be available to answer any questions and/or concerns the victim may have
- Assist victims throughout the court process
- Refer victims to community resources that are available for victims of crime
- Coordinate all witnesses, both police officers and civilian, needed for Circuit Court Jury Trials, Bench Trials, and related Hearings
- Ensure subpoena service, make travel arrangements, and work closely with the Assistant Prosecuting Attorney during the trial to ensure that all witnesses are available at the appropriate time for court
- Provide cost savings to local Police Departments by excusing officers from subpoenas prior to having to appear in court, thus limiting the amount of officer overtime paid, as well as leaving more officers available for duty
District Court Victim Advocate
Kalamazoo Co Prosecutor's Office
04.2007 - 12.2012
- Contact victims as a criminal case is initiated and provide services to all victims of Misdemeanor criminal cases, as defined by the Federal Victim Right's Act
- Ensure that victims are kept informed of court proceedings and outcomes, be available to answer any questions and/or concerns the victim may have
- Assist victims throughout the court process
- Refer victims to community resources that are available for victims of crime
- This is a Federal grant funded position (VOCA - Victim of Crimes Act) with extensive reporting mandates
District Court Witness Coordinator
Kalamazoo Co Prosecutor's Office
07.2002 - 04.2007
- Coordination of all witnesses, both police officers and civilian witnesses, who have received a subpoena requiring them to appear in court
- Ensure their presence and assist them with the court process
- Work with the Assistant Prosecuting Attorney to ensure they are completely up to date regarding any witness issues
- Provide cost savings to local Police Departments by excusing officers from subpoenas prior to having to appear for court, thus limiting the amount of officer overtime paid
Legal Assistant
Kalamazoo Co Prosecutor's Office
03.1996 - 07.2002
- Customer Service, Data-entry, document creation and file maintenance for District Court, Circuit Court and Family Support divisions
- Conduct initial contact with all persons entering the office, including members of the public, police officers, attorneys, etc
- Data-entry and processing of all in-coming mail
Education
Bachelor of Arts with Honors - History, Sociology
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI01.1996
Skills
- Strong communication, interviewing and empathy skills
- Advanced organizational skills, including file management
- Problem solving and team building skills
- Strong work ethic and an ability to succeed in a fast-paced environment
- Familiarity with court and legal procedures
- Experience with grant funded positions
- Familiarity with multiple computer programs, including Microsoft Office
- Strong typing and data entry skills
- Experience with servicing defendants in criminal, expungement, gun rights and driver's license restoration cases
- Experience with coordinating multiple witnesses for Circuit and District Court trials
- Legal document preparation & filing
- Client support
- Notary public
- Writing/Editing/Proofreading
- Exceptional telephone etiquette
- Experience assisting clients during periods of trauma
- Scheduling/Planning/Calendar management
Professional Training
- National Leadership Association Conference for Women
- Covey 7 Habits of Highly Successful People
- Microsoft Excel
- Victim Advocate Conference
- Teen Dating Violence Webinar
- VOCA Grant Training
- Ethics in Advocacy
- Domestic Violence Involving Children
- Office of Victims of Crime 40 hour online Victim Advocacy Training
- Prosecuting Attorney's Associate of Michigan Annual Victim Advocate Conference
- Multiple Human Trafficking Conferences
- Respecting Cultural Differences
- Inside the Mind of the Sexual Predator and Their Victims
Timeline
Legal Assistant /Client Intake Specialist
Hills at Law, P.C.
03.2023 - 10.2024
Criminal Legal Assistant
Willis Law
03.2019 - 11.2022
Receptionist & Scheduler for Building Department
City of Kalamazoo
12.2017 - 03.2019
Operations Coordinator
Kalamazoo Area Building Authority
02.2015 - 09.2017
Circuit Court Victim Advocate / Witness Coordinator
Kalamazoo Co Prosecutor's Office
12.2012 - 09.2014
District Court Victim Advocate
Kalamazoo Co Prosecutor's Office
04.2007 - 12.2012
District Court Witness Coordinator
Kalamazoo Co Prosecutor's Office
07.2002 - 04.2007
Legal Assistant
Kalamazoo Co Prosecutor's Office
03.1996 - 07.2002
Bachelor of Arts with Honors - History, Sociology
Western Michigan University
Similar Profiles
KELLI GAGEKELLI GAGE
Paralegal/Executive Administrator to Managing Partner at Law Offices of Joseph E. Ashmore, Jr. P.C./Ashmore Law FirmParalegal/Executive Administrator to Managing Partner at Law Offices of Joseph E. Ashmore, Jr. P.C./Ashmore Law Firm
Jeannette TrejoJeannette Trejo
Receptionist at Acosta Law Firm & Pack Law P.C.Receptionist at Acosta Law Firm & Pack Law P.C.
PETER FASANOPETER FASANO
Paralegal at The Nelson Law Office P.C.Paralegal at The Nelson Law Office P.C.
Samuel KreuzerSamuel Kreuzer
Auction Assistant at Braun & Helmer AuctionsAuction Assistant at Braun & Helmer Auctions
Victor WilliamsVictor Williams
Piano Technician at Self-employedPiano Technician at Self-employed