Kimberly Lynn Tiano
Goodyear,AZ
Summary
Experienced leader with strong background in guiding teams, managing complex projects, and achieving strategic objectives. Excels in developing efficient processes, ensuring high standards, and aligning efforts with organizational goals. Known for collaborative approach and commitment to excellence.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Civil Legal Analyst - Senior
City Attorney’s Office, City of Surprise, AZ
08.2021 - 07.2025
- Developed, revised and implemented administrative policies and procedures through coordination with technical-level administrative city staff and the City Attorney to accomplish the goals and objectives of the City Attorney.
- Managed and performed administrative office support, which included preparing and drafting financial, technical and administrative reports, policies and procedures, and internal correspondence; overseeing and maintaining office filing systems and organization; participating in a variety of meetings, briefings, committees, and/or other working groups to provide support and/or expertise in assigned areas of responsibility; maintained calendars; resolved conflicts and scheduled meetings and appointments with multiple complex schedules; prepared meeting agendas and presentation materials as required.
- Assisted attorneys in drafting, reviewing, or revising legal documents, case summaries, indemnification letters, reports and other correspondence and documents.
- Monitored and coordinated with outside counsel to manage litigation matters and EEOC claims, including but not limited to, monitoring progress; coordinating discovery; coordinating and attending client interviews; preparing and monitoring litigation holds; gathering and maintaining documents received from internal departments for provision to outside counsel to assist with discovery and court filings; case preparation for trial; docketing and monitoring case-related deadlines; and managing and maintaining internal files.
- Performed project and policy analysis, which included conducting legal or other topical research; performing substantive and qualitative analysis; preparing reports and legal documents; determining and raising pertinent issues; summarizing findings; presenting results; recommending solutions; administering programs; and performing other related duties within the Civil Division of the City Attorney's Office.
- Assisted with risk management functions, including claims management and subrogation.
- Assisted the City Attorney with interviews and making hiring recommendations.
- Supervised Legal Assistants and prioritized and assigned tasks; trained, mentored and counseled employees; prepared and conducted performance evaluations; established and monitored employee performance objectives; ensured employees followed policies and procedures; maintained a healthy and safe work environment; and made hiring, termination, and disciplinary recommendations.
- Prepared City Council Communications and presentations.
- Assisted the City Clerk’s Office with responses to Public Records Request by reviewing documents provided by City Departments and redacting pursuant to State Statute and asserted privilege.
- Reviewed and implemented new policies and procedures to streamline and improve efficiency, resulting in decreased turnaround times for Public Records Requests, archiving files, updating and maintaining online records, and other office processes.
- Interacted with the general public, governmental agencies, internal departments/clients, and/or other interested parties regarding requests for information and/or inquiries; clarified and resolved issues, concerns and questions; coordinated information and assured effective communication between the City Attorney’s Office and other departments and provided assistance to customers and external agencies.
- Prepared and administered division and department operating budget; prepared cost estimates for budget recommendations; prepared and submitted justification for budget items; monitored and controlled expenditures, reviewed and approved expenditures and credit card statements; worked with the Procurement and Budget departments and the City Attorney to reconcile issues relating to department functions, budget requests, and budget and City Attorney policy and procedures.
- Worked with the City Attorney in planning and implementing department and division long-term and short-term goals and objectives.
Senior Litigation Paralegal
City Attorney’s Office, City of Peoria, AZ
12.2014 - 07.2021
- Prepared City Council Communications and presentations.
- Interviewed, made hiring recommendations, and trained Legal Assistants and office staff.
- Supervised and evaluated Legal Assistants and office staff and prioritized and assigned tasks.
- Coordinated with Business Analyst and Internet Technology Department to identify and resolve issues with office software (Practice Manager Power User).
- Team lead for the litigation/claims support staff workgroup responsible for developing effectiveness and cohesiveness in case management processes, procedures, delegation of duties and training and provided oversight to high-risk activities such as docketing court deadlines.
- Identified the need for additional or improved administrative and legal procedures and policies and assisted attorneys and staff with development and implementation.
- Retained and managed office vendors, including obtaining quotes, setting up accounts for current and new team members and tracking and payment of invoices.
- Obtained and prepared cost estimates for budget recommendations, prepared justification for budget submissions and monitored and controlled expenditures.
- Drafted settlement documents and verified W9 and Vendor documents and collaborated with Finance Department to ensure settlement checks were issued correctly.
- Maintained storage on the City’s .ftp server for public records and litigation holds.
- Performed legal research and analysis involving statutes, legal opinions and case law.
- Provided paraprofessional and technical office support to attorneys in all aspects of complex legal matters and administrative processes and hearings involving various departments within the City of Peoria, including but not limited to, employment and discrimination cases, tort defense, personal injury, subrogation, tax, eminent domain (including planning and zoning issues), law enforcement liability, breach of contract, election law, appeals, collections, and development agreement lawsuits.
- Drafted complex legal memorandums and documents while exercising initiative and judgment to determine legal issues and citing appropriate legal authority, including drafting pleadings, motions, petitions, briefs, affidavits, disclosure statements, discovery requests and discovery responses, including e-discovery and other case documents relating to a variety of complex legal issues.
- Reviewed and redacted video and audio, including body worn camera video.
- Prepared, proofread, finalized and processed court filings for Justice Court, Superior Court, U.S. District Court, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Arizona Courts of Appeals, Arizona Supreme Court and the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.
- Docketed deadlines based upon civil procedure and maintained calendars for attorneys.
- Managed cases by investigating, analyzing, obtaining and organizing facts, records and documents.
- Interacted with the public, City Departments, outside governmental agencies, experts and other interested parties regarding public records requests and requests for information.
- Prepared Litigation Hold Guide for distribution to clients and city employees, including taking photographs for Guide visuals, formatting and reviewing/revising Guide.
Paralegal for 11 attorney law firm
Engelman Berger, P.C.
01.2010 - 12.2013
- Drafted legal documents including complaint packages, discovery, disclosure, garnishments, appeals, pleadings, memoranda, motions, proposed orders.
- Prepared, proofread, finalized and processed court filings in Superior Court, District Court, Bankruptcy Court and the Court of Appeals.
- Responsible for all aspects of trial preparation, including logistics of presentation of case, preparation of PowerPoints, presentations, exhibits, memoranda, trial notebooks, juror notebooks and attendance at trial to assist attorneys.
- Recommended, drafted and implemented procedures for converting office to paperless.
- Docketed deadlines based upon civil procedure and maintained calendars for attorneys.
- Reviewed and organized documents in preparation for disclosure and discovery responses.
- Worked with attorneys to implement e-discovery procedures.
- Calculated amounts owed under outstanding judgments for inclusion in garnishment proceedings and amounts owed for attorneys’ fees for inclusion in attorney fee applications and judgments.
- Conducted factual research relevant to case, including background and asset research on witnesses, experts and litigants.
Paralegal for Patrick J. Davis, Damien R. Meyer and John R. Tellier
Titus, Brueckner & Berry, P.C.
03.2007 - 01.2010
- Preparation and processing of court filings in Superior Court, District Court, Bankruptcy Court and the Court of Appeals.
- Drafted correspondence, pleadings, discovery and disclosure.
- Communicated with clients, opposing counsel, experts and court staff.
- Responsible for all aspects of trial preparation, including exhibits, memoranda and logistics of presentation of case.
- Recommended, drafted and implemented procedures for document intake and disclosure.
- Docketed deadlines based upon civil procedure and maintained calendars for attorneys.
- Deposition preparation.
- Reviewed and tracked files to determine status and action required and maintained spreadsheets of status of briefings and deadlines.
Paralegal for Douglas G. Zimmerman and Jacob L. Sherrard
Jennings, Strouss & Salmon, P.L.C.
04.2001 - 03.2007
- Lead paralegal for consolidated case City of Tempe v. Valentine, et al; CV2005-003754. Coordinated successful efforts of four law firms and the Institute for Justice to prepare and defend case at trial, including preparation and coordination of discovery, disclosure, court filings, trial preparation, expert preparation and all other aspects of case. Attended trial and assisted attorneys with presentation of case.
Education
Bachelor of Applied Science -
Arizona State University
Advanced Certified Paralegal - Discovery
National Association of Legal Assistants
Paralegal Certification - undefined
National Association of Legal Assistants
Associates of Applied Science - Legal Assisting
Phoenix College
Skills
- Legal advice
- Project tracking
- Caseload management
- Legal analysis
Timeline
Civil Legal Analyst - Senior
City Attorney’s Office, City of Surprise, AZ
08.2021 - 07.2025
Senior Litigation Paralegal
City Attorney’s Office, City of Peoria, AZ
12.2014 - 07.2021
Paralegal for 11 attorney law firm
Engelman Berger, P.C.
01.2010 - 12.2013
Paralegal for Patrick J. Davis, Damien R. Meyer and John R. Tellier
Titus, Brueckner & Berry, P.C.
03.2007 - 01.2010
Paralegal for Douglas G. Zimmerman and Jacob L. Sherrard
Jennings, Strouss & Salmon, P.L.C.
04.2001 - 03.2007
Advanced Certified Paralegal - Discovery
National Association of Legal Assistants
Paralegal Certification - undefined
National Association of Legal Assistants
Associates of Applied Science - Legal Assisting
Phoenix College
Bachelor of Applied Science -
Arizona State University
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