Results-driven senior litigation professional with a juris doctorate degree and 17 years of solid experience. Skilled in researching legal case information and preparing necessary correspondence with strong understanding of legal terminology and processes. Adept in maintaining confidential records and client information. Pleasantly assists attorneys with settlement strategies and preparing for trials and other legal proceedings.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Litigation Legal Assistant
USAA
10.2022 - Current
Strengthened client trust through consistent attention to detail when handling sensitive case materials and adhering to strict confidentiality standards.
Supported attorneys during trials by creating trial exhibits, preparing witness binders, and tracking essential documentation throughout proceedings.
Managed deadlines effectively ensuring timely submission of all required filings and correspondence.
Collaborated with attorneys to develop effective litigation strategies, contributing to favorable case resolutions.
Completed electronic court filings at state and federal levels.
Drafted and reviewed legal documents such as pleadings, motions, and discovery requests to ensure accuracy and compliance with court rules.
Enhanced understanding of litigation procedures through attending continuing education courses regularly.
Contributed to positive team dynamics within the firm by collaborating effectively with colleagues in both legal support roles and attorney positions.
Coordinated scheduling of depositions, hearings, and meetings for seamless communication between parties involved in a case.
Senior Litigation Paralegal
QPWB
04.2022 - 10.2022
Long-term planning, including an initiative geared toward operational excellence.
Management of company's $40 million dollar budget in coordination with the Executive Director.
Coordinates various office support services, including purchasing and facilities management.
Executing processes which includes but not limited to decision making in areas involving customers, team members, operations issues, business planning, priority setting, creating staff schedules, team member performance appraisals compliance with company policies, administration of the center sales performance and profitability, leadership of all Multi-store operations scheduling, expense and inventory control, training and development.
Expedited case resolutions through skilled negotiation tactics during settlement discussions with opposing counsel.
Enhanced case efficiency by meticulously reviewing and analyzing legal documents for accuracy and relevance.
Organized evidence, exhibits, motions, and subpoenas to support cases and prepare for trial.
Completed electronic court filings at state and federal levels.
Assisted attorneys with reviewing and organizing witness reports.
Contacted clients to schedule appointments and discuss progress of cases.
Conducted background investigations on defendant.
Spearheaded complex discovery projects involving multi-jurisdictional matters, ensuring seamless coordination between local counsel teams across various states.
Enhanced team collaboration by coordinating efforts among attorneys, paralegals, expert witnesses, and support staff throughout the litigation process.
Ensured compliance with court deadlines by diligently tracking filing dates and submitting required documentation in a timely manner.
Senior Law Clerk
Wright And Gray Injury Attorneys
08.2021 - 04.2022
Managed overall cluster center operations with up to 300 employees and $10 Million dollars in annual sales.
Recognized for ability to identify continuous change actions to reduce cost, enhance quality, and increase margins.
Ensuring the maintenance of fiscal reporting procedures within managed centers including sales growth, accounts receivables, forecasting payroll, inventory reports, plan-o-grams and marketing, daily sales goal recaps, and daily bank deposits are in full compliance with established company policies.
Performed financial analysis for retail including but not limited to product performance, yearly/quarterly comparisons, action plans to improve profitability.
Supported settlement negotiations through comprehensive analysis of financial data and assessment of potential risks.
Prepared witnesses thoroughly before their depositions or testimony; ensured consistency among statements and minimized any potential surprises during questioning.
Conducted extensive due diligence investigations; uncovered critical information that significantly impacted case strategy decisions.
Provided exceptional client service by promptly addressing inquiries and consistently updating them on case progress.
Spearheaded creation of standardized templates for commonly used documents, increasing overall productivity within the team.
Assisted attorneys with trial preparation, including the development of exhibit lists, witness outlines, and jury instructions.
Mentored junior law clerks, providing guidance on best practices and fostering professional growth within the firm.
Maintained strong relationships with outside counsel through clear communication channels during collaborative efforts on multi-jurisdictional matters.
Analyzed opposing party''s arguments meticulously; identified weaknesses which led to favorable rulings during hearings or trials.
Met with clients to discuss upcoming depositions and arbitrations.
Researched laws, court decisions and other documents relevant to cases before court to aide in judge's decision-making.
Reviewed complaints, petitions, motions and pleadings to aid in determining admissibility.
Negotiated between parties involved in court proceedings to reach settlement.
Attended depositions and drafted comprehensive summaries for review.
Conducted legal research on law, providing thorough memoranda.
Coordinated and prepared exhibits and other materials for hearings.
Trial Paralegal
Dudley DeBosier Injury Lawyers
08.2020 - 08.2021
Supervised a team of 75 employees.
Assisted attorneys by conducting factual and legal research, as well as investigating matters for client case files.
Coordinated the distribution of work assignments ,court filings, oversaw a caseload of litigation suits on a monthly basis consisting of managing various aspects of case files.
Resolved contract vendor issues and financial disputes.
Assisted in jury selection process through careful evaluation of juror questionnaires and observation during voir dire proceedings.
Coordinated trial logistics including travel arrangements, courtroom set-up, and technology needs for seamless presentation of evidence.
Continuously expanded knowledge of legal trends and developments through participation in continuing education courses, seminars, and professional networking events.
Contributed to positive case outcomes by conducting comprehensive pre-trial investigations to uncover crucial facts or evidence.
Drafted persuasive pleadings, motions, briefs, and other legal documents for submission to courts or opposing counsel.
Conducted thorough legal research to support case strategy development, contributing to well-informed decisionmaking.
Managed complex litigation calendars, ensuring all deadlines were met and avoiding costly delays or sanctions.
Maintained a high level of confidentiality in handling sensitive client information and attorney-client privileged communications.
Maintained strong professional relationships with clients, opposing counsel, court personnel, and expert witnesses through clear communication and respectfulness.
Assisted attorneys in achieving successful trial outcomes by preparing comprehensive witness interview summaries and deposition digests.
Researched statutes, decisions, legal articles, and codes.
Collaborated with attorneys to develop strategies for each case.
Senior Litigation Paralegal
Hammonds, Sills Adkins & Guice
08.2017 - 08.2020
Enhanced team collaboration by coordinating efforts among attorneys, paralegals, expert witnesses, and support staff throughout the litigation process.
Improved client relationships with regular communication updates regarding case progress and potential strategies.
Managed high-stakes cases involving large corporations or high-profile individuals while maintaining strict confidentiality standards at all times.
Streamlined litigation processes by implementing innovative e-discovery solutions to manage large volumes of data.
Supported the continuous improvement of litigation team performance by providing constructive feedback, sharing best practices, and participating in ongoing professional development opportunities.
Supported attorney success in trial preparation by conducting comprehensive research on legal issues, precedents, and opposing counsel strategies.
Organized evidence, exhibits, motions, and subpoenas to support cases and prepare for trial.
Researched statutes, decisions, legal articles, and codes.
Attended court hearings and depositions to take notes and document proceedings.
Collaborated with attorneys to develop strategies for each case.
Interviewed clients to obtain information relevant to cases.
Conducted background investigations on defendant.
Prepared various exhibits for attorneys for public meetings, zoning commission meetings, and legal resolutions.
Legal Assistant to the Managing Partner
Law Office Of David W. Bernberg
01.2007 - 01.2017
Managed incoming calls professionally while providing accurate information regarding case status updates or directing inquiries appropriately within the firm.
Enhanced client satisfaction by efficiently managing and organizing legal documents for the Senior Partner.
Prioritized tasks effectively under tight deadlines to ensure all cases received due attention without compromising quality or accuracy in work delivered.
Assisted clients during intake process by gathering necessary personal information and explaining procedures clearly according to their individual concerns or expectations from a legal standpoint.
Kept track of pertinent changes in legislation that affected ongoing cases under the Senior Partner''s responsibility, updating case strategies accordingly.
Streamlined communication between the Senior Partner and clients, ensuring prompt responses and document updates.
Improved office efficiency by implementing an organized digital filing system for easy access to essential documents.
Maintained confidentiality of sensitive client information at all times adhering to ethical standards within the profession.
Maintained awareness of industry best practices for personal legal assistants, attending relevant seminars and workshops to continuously improve skill set.
Coordinated schedules for the Senior Partner''s appointments and engagements to ensure optimal time management practices were observed.
Contributed to successful negotiation outcomes through precise preparation of supporting documents for settlements discussions with opposing counsel.
Assisted the Senior Partner in preparing for trials, depositions, and mediations by compiling relevant materials and evidence.
Expedited trial preparations by effectively communicating with expert witnesses or outside consultants when required for specific cases.
Supported the Senior Partner in drafting essential correspondence such as demand letters, settlement proposals, pleadings, and motions.
Increased accuracy of billing information by meticulously tracking billable hours for the Senior Partner''s cases.