Lisa Wetzel
Clackamas
Summary
Dynamic Legal Assistant with extensive experience at Miller Nash LLP, recognized for exceptional client relations and meticulous document preparation. Proficient in legal processes and QuickBooks, I consistently ensured accuracy and compliance, contributing to successful case outcomes. My attention to detail and proactive problem-solving skills have been pivotal in supporting attorneys and enhancing office efficiency.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
Legal Assistant
Miller Nash LLP
Portland
09.2008 - Current
- Reviewed and prepared legal documents, such as contracts, pleadings, motions, briefs, memoranda of law and discovery requests.
- Mailed and arranged for delivery of legal correspondence to clients, witnesses and court officials.
- Provided administrative support and conducted research to assist attorneys in civil litigation preparation.
- Assisted with document production and deposition preparation.
- Greeted clients upon arrival at office and provided assistance as needed.
- Stayed abreast of changes in legislative and regulatory guidelines.
- Coordinated the distribution of legal materials to other parties as required.
- Ordered materials needed by attorneys throughout the duration of a case.
- Corresponded daily with clients, insurance adjusters, doctors and attorneys.
- Coordinated travel arrangements for attorneys attending out-of-town conferences or depositions.
- Drafted legal complaints, summonses and interrogatories.
- Generated reports summarizing case progress for internal use.
- Prepared and processed expense reports for reimbursing attorneys.
- Oversaw legal team appointments, hearings and depositions schedules.
- Managed office scheduling and kept accurate notes on deadlines, motions, and other dates.
- Contacted witnesses and scheduled interviews and evaluations.
- Processed incoming mail on a daily basis.
- Booked travel arrangements for firm attorneys and support staff.
- Coordinated travel arrangements for attorneys attending out-of-town meetings or conferences.
- Filed clients' legal documents in relevant courts for processing.
- Drafted motions, briefs and other legal documents.
- Provided administrative support to attorneys by managing calendars; scheduling appointments; organizing files; preparing correspondence; filing court documents; and obtaining necessary signatures.
- Filed pleadings and appeals with court clerks to expedite trial proceedings.
- Organized exhibits for trial proceedings.
- Maintained client confidentiality in all matters.
- Proofread drafts of legal documents for accuracy in grammar and punctuation.
- Filed pleadings and paperwork with court clerk to meet strict deadlines.
- Performed basic bookkeeping duties including tracking payments received from clients.
- Drafted correspondence, documented data and submitted materials to appropriate parties.
- Organized and prepared case exhibits and evidence for trial.
- Demonstrated strong problem-solving skills, resolving issues efficiently and effectively.
- Completed day-to-day duties accurately and efficiently.
- Recognized by management for providing exceptional customer service.
- Managed time effectively to ensure tasks were completed on schedule and deadlines were met.
Legal Assistant and Office Manager
Hackett & Associates, P.C.
South Bend
01.2006 - 09.2006
- Mailed and arranged for delivery of legal correspondence to clients, witnesses and court officials.
- Filed clients' legal documents in relevant courts for processing.
- Organized and prepared case exhibits and evidence for trial.
- Corresponded daily with clients, insurance adjusters, doctors and attorneys.
- Managed office scheduling and kept accurate notes on deadlines, motions, and other dates.
- Proofread drafts of legal documents for accuracy in grammar and punctuation.
- Answered phones promptly while providing courteous customer service.
- Drafted motions, briefs and other legal documents.
- Greeted clients upon arrival at office and provided assistance as needed.
- Handled telephone calls, meeting plans and conference organization requirements.
- Filed pleadings and paperwork with court clerk to meet strict deadlines.
- Ensured that all paperwork was properly filed according to established procedures.
- Processed incoming mail on a daily basis.
- Scanned physical documents into electronic format for storage in a secure database system.
- Performed basic bookkeeping duties including tracking payments received from clients.
- Reviewed and prepared legal documents, such as contracts, pleadings, motions, briefs, memoranda of law and discovery requests.
- Prepared and processed expense reports for reimbursing attorneys.
- Maintained client confidentiality in all matters.
- Assisted with customer requests and answered questions to improve satisfaction.
- Provided training to new hires on office policies and procedures.
- Managed office inventory and placed new supply orders.
- Remained calm and professional in stressful circumstances and effectively diffused tense situations.
- Ordered supplies and equipment to maintain adequate inventory levels.
- Tracked invoices and payments to ensure accuracy of accounts receivable and payable information.
- Managed office budget to handle inventory, postage and vendor services.
- Monitored payments due from clients and promptly contacted clients with past due payments.
Litigation Legal Assistant
Faegre Baker Daniels LLP
South Bend
07.2002 - 08.2006
- Prepared discovery requests and responses.
- Reviewed and organized case files, documents and legal materials.
- Drafted motions, briefs and other legal documents.
- Responded to client calls and inquiries to deliver applicable information.
- Drafted correspondence, documented data and submitted materials to appropriate parties.
- Assisted with new client intakes by completing paperwork required by law firms.
- Answered phones in a professional manner while providing accurate information about cases when necessary.
- Managed attorney's daily calendar including deadlines for filings and hearings.
- Knowledgeable dealing with pleadings, affidavits, motions and exhibit preparation.
- Drafted legal pleadings, motions and briefs for attorney review.
- Notarized affidavits upon request from clients or attorneys.
- Used state and federal electronic filing systems.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal
Wetzel DeFrang & Sandor
Portland
01.1996 - 07.2002
- Oversaw legal team appointments, hearings and depositions schedules.
- Booked travel arrangements for firm attorneys and support staff.
- Filed pleadings and appeals with court clerks to expedite trial proceedings.
- Provided administrative support and conducted research to assist attorneys in civil litigation preparation.
- Drafted legal complaints, summonses and interrogatories.
- Proofread drafts of legal documents for accuracy in grammar and punctuation.
- Prepared and processed expense reports for reimbursing attorneys.
- Called witnesses to give testimonies during court hearings.
- Met with clients and attorneys to discuss case details and evidence.
- Provided administrative support to attorneys by managing calendars; scheduling appointments; organizing files; preparing correspondence; filing court documents; and obtaining necessary signatures.
- Filed clients' legal documents in relevant courts for processing.
- Mailed and arranged for delivery of legal correspondence to clients, witnesses and court officials.
- Drafted witness declarations and pretrial statements.
- Organized and prepared case exhibits and evidence for trial.
- Participated in client interviews, observed questioning process and documented information.
- Attended hearings with counsel and recorded minutes from the proceedings.
- Redacted confidential information from legal documents on case-by-case basis.
- Compiled financial records related to specific cases.
- Filed pleadings and paperwork with court clerk to meet strict deadlines.
- Conducted thorough research and review of case information to assist attorneys.
- Conducted interviews with potential witnesses to obtain statements relevant to pending cases.
- Assisted with document production and deposition preparation.
- Contacted witnesses and scheduled interviews and evaluations.
- Greeted clients upon arrival at office and provided assistance as needed.
- Prepared summaries of depositions, interrogatories and testimony for attorney review.
- Answered phones promptly while providing courteous customer service.
- Drafted motions, briefs and other legal documents.
- Maintained client confidentiality in all matters.
- Organized exhibits and arguments to present evidence on behalf of clients.
- Organized exhibits for trial proceedings.
- Conducted witness interviews and investigations to gather case-relevant information.
- Assisted attorneys in court by managing exhibits, taking notes, and ensuring all necessary materials were available.
- Scheduled and coordinated depositions, hearings, trials, and meetings.
- Performed administrative duties such as photocopying, scanning, and organizing legal documents.
- Managed case files and documentation, ensuring accuracy and confidentiality.
- Interviewed clients and obtained vital case information to support associates.
- Created spreadsheets to track case information and deadlines.
- Organized exhibits for trial by preparing materials and supporting documentation.
- Coordinated witness testimony for depositions.
- Communicated with witnesses regarding deposition scheduling.
- Attended court proceedings to observe trials or hearings.
- Knowledgeable dealing with pleadings, affidavits, motions and exhibit preparation.
- Drafted correspondence to clients and other attorneys.
- Proofread documents prior to filing them with courts or submitting them to opposing counsels.
Education
General Studies - Arts And Sciences
Clackamas Community College
Clackamas, Oregon03-2026
Some College (No Degree) - Criminology and Criminal Justice
Portland State University
Portland, ORSkills
- Attention to detail
- Document preparation
- Proofreading
- Legal/Court processes
- Client relations
- QuickBooks pro
- National association of legal secretaries
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Legal Assistant
Miller Nash LLP
09.2008 - Current
Legal Assistant and Office Manager
Hackett & Associates, P.C.
01.2006 - 09.2006
Litigation Legal Assistant
Faegre Baker Daniels LLP
07.2002 - 08.2006
Legal Assistant and Paralegal
Wetzel DeFrang & Sandor
01.1996 - 07.2002
General Studies - Arts And Sciences
Clackamas Community College
Some College (No Degree) - Criminology and Criminal Justice
Portland State University
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