Margarita Barnard
Summary
Results-driven legal professional specializing in litigation support and discovery management. Proven track record in enhancing trial readiness and streamlining case management through effective client communication and collaboration with attorneys.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
Work History
Paralegal
Murray Law Group
Tampa
02.2025 - 06.2026
- Prepared legal documents for court filings and client communications.
- Organized case files and maintained accurate records for ongoing litigation.
- Communicated with clients to gather information and provide case updates effectively.
- Coordinated discovery processes, ensuring thorough document review and timely production.
- Drafted and organized correspondence, pleadings, and motions for attorney review and efficient filing.
- Coordinated schedules for meetings, hearings, and depositions with various stakeholders.
- Provided administrative support such as answering phones or scheduling appointments.
- Maintained client files according to established protocols.
- Maintained calendars for upcoming court dates or deadlines related to cases.
- Drafted correspondence to clients and other attorneys.
- Proofread documents prior to filing them with courts or submitting them to opposing counsels.
- Filed pleadings and paperwork with court clerk to meet strict deadlines.
- Interviewed clients and obtained vital case information to support associates.
- Advised clients on procedural matters related to their cases.
- Drafted discovery responses including interrogatories and requests for production of documents.
- Entered data into and managed litigation databases and Excel spreadsheets.
- Created spreadsheets to track case information and deadlines.
- Collaborated with attorneys in all stages of litigation process.
- Communicated with witnesses regarding deposition scheduling.
- Coordinated witness testimony for depositions.
- Managed case files and documentation, ensuring accuracy and confidentiality.
- Collaborated with team members to ensure strategies and objectives were aligned and executed efficiently.
- Utilized legal software and databases for case management and legal research.
- Prepared and organized materials for trial, including exhibits, witness lists, and evidence.
- Managed discovery process, including drafting discovery documents and coordinating document production.
- Supported drafting and reviewing of legal correspondence, ensuring clarity and compliance in letters, emails, and faxes.
- Coordinated and managed case files, ensuring all documents were accurately filed and easily accessible.
- Scheduled and coordinated depositions, hearings, trials, and meetings.
- Met with clients and attorneys to discuss case details and evidence.
- Knowledgeable dealing with pleadings, affidavits, motions and exhibit preparation.
- Communicated with witnesses to schedule interviews and evaluations for case-related information.
Paralegal
Morgan & Morgan Law Firm
Tampa
06.2014 - 01.2025
- Prepared legal documents for court filings and client communications.
- Organized case files and maintained accurate records for ongoing litigation.
- Communicated with clients to gather information and provide case updates effectively.
- Managed discovery processes, ensuring thorough document review and timely production.
- Drafted correspondence, pleadings, and motions for attorney review and filing, contributing to case progression.
- Coordinated schedules for meetings, hearings, and depositions, facilitating effective communication among stakeholders.
- Provided administrative support such as answering phones or scheduling appointments.
- Maintained client files according to established protocols.
- Maintained calendars for upcoming court dates or deadlines related to cases.
- Drafted correspondence to clients and other attorneys.
- Proofread documents prior to filing them with courts or submitting them to opposing counsels.
- Filed pleadings and paperwork with court clerk to meet strict deadlines.
- Interviewed clients and obtained vital case information to support associates.
- Organized exhibits for trial by preparing materials and supporting documentation.
- Advised clients on procedural matters related to their cases.
- Drafted discovery responses including interrogatories and requests for production of documents.
- Entered data into and managed litigation databases and Excel spreadsheets.
- Collaborated with attorneys in all stages of the litigation process.
- Communicated with witnesses regarding deposition scheduling.
- Coordinated witness testimony for depositions.
- Collaborated with team members to ensure strategies and objectives were aligned and executed efficiently.
- Prepared and organized materials for trial, including exhibits, witness lists, and evidence.
- Managed discovery process, including drafting discovery documents and coordinating document production.
- Assisted in drafting and reviewing legal correspondence, including letters, emails, and faxes.
- Scheduled and coordinated depositions, hearings, trials, and meetings.
- Drafted correspondence, documented data and submitted materials to appropriate parties.
- Knowledgeable dealing with pleadings, affidavits, motions and exhibit preparation.
- Processed closing documents and transactional documents for legal review.
- Contacted witnesses to arrange interviews and evaluations for case preparation.
Paralegal
Clark & Martino
Tampa
06.1995 - 05.2014
- Prepared legal documents for court filings and client communications.
- Organized case files and maintained accurate records for ongoing litigation.
- Assisted attorneys in trial preparation, including evidence gathering and witness coordination.
- Managed discovery processes, including document review and production tasks.
- Drafted correspondence, pleadings, and motions for attorney review and filing.
- Coordinated schedules for meetings, hearings, and depositions, ensuring all stakeholders were informed and prepared.
- Maintained client files according to established protocols.
- Maintained calendars for upcoming court dates or deadlines related to cases.
- Reviewed and organized legal documents, such as pleadings, motions, and briefs.
- Proofread documents prior to filing them with courts or submitting them to opposing counsels.
- Filed pleadings and paperwork with court clerk to meet strict deadlines.
- Interviewed clients and obtained vital case information to support associates.
- Organized exhibits for trial by preparing materials and supporting documentation.
- Advised clients on procedural matters related to their cases.
- Drafted discovery responses including interrogatories and requests for production of documents.
- Attended court proceedings to observe trials or hearings.
- Collaborated with attorneys in all stages of litigation process.
- Coordinated subpoena services and other support activities for legal office.
- Communicated with witnesses regarding deposition scheduling.
- Coordinated witness testimony for depositions.
- Collaborated with team members to ensure strategies and objectives were aligned and executed efficiently.
- Prepared and organized materials for trial, including exhibits, witness lists, and evidence.
- Managed discovery process, including drafting discovery documents and coordinating document production.
- Assisted in drafting and reviewing legal correspondence, including letters, emails, and faxes.
- Scheduled and coordinated depositions, hearings, trials, and meetings.
- Drafted correspondence, documented data and submitted materials to appropriate parties.
- Met with clients and attorneys to discuss case details and evidence.
- Demonstrated knowledge of legal documents including pleadings, affidavits, and motions.
- Organized exhibits and arguments to present evidence in a clear and compelling manner during trials.
- Processed closing documents and transactional documents for legal review.
- Drafted witness declarations and pretrial statements.
- Contacted witnesses and scheduled interviews and evaluations.
Education
Associate of Science - Paralegal Studies
Tampa College
FL06-1988
High School Diploma -
Chamberlain High School
Tampa, FL05-1983
Skills
- Litigation support
- Trial support
- Document preparation
- Document drafting
- Court filing
- Discovery management
- Discovery process
- Trial preparation assistance
- Pre-trial preparation
- Case management
- Civil litigation
- Client communication
- Team collaboration
- Attention to detail
- Problem solving
- Deadline adherence
- Notary public
Languages
Spanish
Native/ Bilingual
Timeline
Paralegal
Murray Law Group
02.2025 - 06.2026
Paralegal
Morgan & Morgan Law Firm
06.2014 - 01.2025
Paralegal
Clark & Martino
06.1995 - 05.2014
Associate of Science - Paralegal Studies
Tampa College
High School Diploma -
Chamberlain High School