Lara Duff

• Drafted and filed motions, appearances, withdrawals, subpoenas, notices, exhibit & witness lists, and proposed orders for post-conviction relief, children in need of assistance (CINA) & termination of parental rights (TPR) cases in Polk & Scott Counties.
• Communicated daily with Iowa Correctional Facilities in order to locate dozens of clients and update clients on case status. Also utilized VINELink.
• Managed a high caseload effectively, prioritizing cases based on urgency and complexity.
• Travelled to Scott County occasionally to examine and photograph physical evidence from murder cases. Obtained and handled sensitive information responsibly, including PSI reports, obscene evidence, and other confidential documents.
• Researched and successfully retained three experts out of state for a couple of high-profile murder cases.

• Investigated Plaintiff's auto injury claims by analyzing and summarizing medical records for pre-existing health conditions.

• Requested and analyzed Plaintiff’s employment records as needed for lost wage claims.

• Worked through subrogation process by requesting and analyzing medical billing records and liens.

• Knowledge of HIPAA, medical terminology, social media, Lexis Nexis, Westlaw, Microsoft Office & Excel.

• Examined social media accounts for images, comments, etc. that contradicted Plaintiff’s claim.

• Organized and prepared hard copy and electronic medical records for experts, hearings and trials.

• Drafted pleadings including, Answers to Interrogatories and Requests for Production of Documents.

• Conducted general office duties and prioritized multiple workloads to meet deadlines in advance for attorneys.

• Researched and collected statements made from public officials in Congress to inform and educate voters.
• Managed three interns throughout the week keeping track of their schedules and productivity.

• Collaborated and brainstormed with colleagues for story ideas that informed readers.
• Reported about Jones County's Central Park Lake water quality status in 2017, which was picked up as a story in the Cedar Rapids Gazette.
• Reported Jones County's 2016 general election results for the Associated Press.
• Interviewed, researched & accurately attributed information and shot photographs to complement stories.
• Covered Anamosa school board, County Supervisor, City Council, and legislative meetings.

• Filed pleadings, deposition notices, briefs and other legal documents related to Probate and litigation cases.
• Performed tasks such as phone calls, copying, scanning, and organizing files.
• Scheduled meetings, prepared correspondence, sorted mail, and notarized various documents.

• Organized, analyzed and copied discovery material and documentation for attorneys on OWI docket.
• Conducted general office duties such as, copying, scanning, filing, and phone calls for the paralegal.

• Helped Iowa constituents communicate with federal bureaucracies by assisting staffers with casework.
• Assembled the Senator's briefing book on occasion and regretted invitations on his behalf.
• Conducted outreach by informing constituents about Senator Harkin's position on minimum wage policy.