Margo Walker
Houston,TX
Summary
Efficient Paralegal Specialist skilled at supporting legal proceedings relating to all law areas, including criminal, family and contract law. Strong verbal and written communication skills. Desiring to bring 13 years of experience in legal support to a challenging new position with room for advancement. Advanced Skills in Microsoft Office and WestLaw/LexisNexis.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Paralegal Specialist
Internal Revenue Service, Office of Chief Counsel
10.2021 - Current
- Assists lead attorneys in managing multiple trial teams, including monitoring of work assignments, leave dates, deadlines, procurement contracts, litigation holds
- Reviews, evaluates, and analyzes files as directed by attorney
- Retrieves and interprets case related IDRS transcripts and maintains records of searches
- Utilizes PACER, Relativity, Westlaw and IRS Sharepoint sites to conduct paralegal duties
- Organizes files and designs document management systems consistent with attorney's direction
- Serves as liaison with expert witnesses, attorneys, and IRS Procurement office
- Reviews and processes invoices for payment and ensures that services rendered have been performed under the correct contract phases
- Prepares de-obligation, closing, and de-commitment reports
- Assisted counsel in preparing answers, providing documentation, and information for discovery request.
- Researched statutes, decisions, legal articles, and codes
- Assisted in preparation of settlement proposals and agreements to help attorneys negotiate settlement in best interest of client
- Liaised with other paralegals and legal staff to complete common tasks on schedule
- Improved accuracy of contract reviews with meticulous attention to detail, ensuring compliance with all relevant FAR laws and contracting regulations.
- Mitigated legal risks by conducting thorough reviews of contractual agreements before finalizing negotiations.
- Created solicitation packages and conducted thorough research for each bid.
- Conducted quality reviews and monitored contract performance.
Supervising Paralegal of Military Justice and Civil Law
502d Air Base Wing, Office of the Staff Judge Advocate
01.2019 - 09.2021
- Managed timely processing of array of legal matters for Installation Commander of 200+ subordinate organizations
- Entrusted by General Officer's Executive Staff with completion of daily organizational operations
- Coordinated Major Command and Headquarters Air Force level initiatives for three subordinate Legal Offices
- Provided ethical and protocol guidance to Commander's Action Group and Senior Leadership
- Planned, organized, and directed legal services personnel in areas of administrative law, contract and fiscal law, environmental law, and ethics
- Prepared daily status reports of executive level taskers
- Interpreted and applied laws, regulations, directives, policies, and guidance to provide appropriate access to federal agency records and information
- Used detailed checklists to accurately capture case details, monitor case progress, analyze military justice programs, and prepare status of discipline presentations for commanders and executive officers
- Tracked, researched, analyzed, and evaluated data for responses to information requests
- Processed and performed legal research on FOIA requests to ensure proper redactions of responsive records in accordance with current FOIA laws, regulations, and timeliness metrics
- Coordinated with various agencies and organizations to assess privacy risks and provide guidance on FOIA cases
- Assisted attorneys in making determinations about disclosures, issuance of denials, redactions, access to federal agency records and use and dissemination of personally identifiable information
- Reviewed and analyzed proposed FOIA/PA release packages
- Drafted decision response letters
- Maintained confidentiality, protected personally identifiable and classified materials in accordance with applicable guidance.
Military Justice and General Law/Government Purchase Card Coordinator/Records Manager
502d Security Forces Group, Office of the Staff Judge Advocate
09.2016 - 01.2019
- Planned, directed and managed functions and staff of small organizations
- Processed motions, petitions, and other legal documentation
- Coordinated court related actions during court proceedings by generating, pulling, organizing, assembling, cross-referencing, and providing required case files
- Assisted attorneys in pre-trial preparation, litigation, and post-trial processing procedures
- Analyzed preliminary case files to determine appropriateness of prosecution in terms of agency litigation worthiness standards
- Prepared written communications and processed daily email correspondence
- Prepared, conducted, and documented surveys and inspections
- Drafted and prepared litigation documents and analyzed documents on pleadings and motions to ascertain facts and issues
- Maintained liaison with card-issuing bank
- Ensured cardholder letter of appointments and delegations were issued to all billing officials
- Educated and trained cardholders on specific guidance regarding local procedures
- Adhered to Air Force contract and fiscal law relating to government purchase card processes
- Performed monthly and annual audit reviews to identify discrepancies
- Maintained and verified training records for government cardholders within organization
- Evaluated purchases and purchasing procedures to determine compliance with applicable guidance
- Purchased and receipted for $17K in office equipment
- Managed office budget of $285K in witness, expert, and travel fees
- Conducted legal research by reviewing and analyzing available precedents and made final legal recommendations for SJA or other senior attorneys
- Followed ethical guidelines regarding cybersecurity and technological proficiency
- Ensured client data was secure and protected by implementing security procedures established by Privacy Act and Freedom of Information Act
- Monitored administrative records procedures to ensure quality, standardization, and efficiency by providing recommended changes and enhancements
- Administered management policies and procedures designed for effective records maintenance and information organization
- Forwarded recommended software/database management changes to appropriate echelons for process improvement
- Introduced best practices regarding record requests/retrievals to maintain integrity of electronic and physical records
- Implemented naming conventions for ease of access to electronic records
- Established well-organized staging practices to better manage and protect inactive records prior to destruction or transfer to Federal Records Center.
Finance Postal Clerk, Certified Tax Preparer
35th Communications Squadron
09.2013 - 09.2016
- Assisted 2000+ clients with complaints regarding mail theft, delivery problems, and lost or damaged mail
- Completed 500+ forms regarding changes of address, or theft or loss of mail, or for special services such as registered or priority mail
- Verified mail to ensure sortation accuracy
- Examined and maintained balances in advance deposit accounts
- Organized transportation of outgoing and incoming mail using appropriate sort program or manual distribution schedule
- Prepared 5000+ pieces of international mail for further processing and dispatch based on operating plans and dispatch schedules
- Adhered to safe work methods, procedures, and safety precautions while performing duties
- Managed 25 preparation of Federal and State tax returns for Active Duty and Retiree population
- Applied interviewing techniques to determine where taxes should have been accurately reported and paid.
Military Justice and General Law Paralegal
355th Fighter Wing, Office of the Staff Judge Advocate
12.2010 - 09.2013
- Interviewed potential witnesses and prepared summary interview reports for attorney's review
- Participated in pre-trial witness conferences, annotated conflicting statements, additional issues, or other matters requiring investigation prior to trial, and requested further investigation by other agency personnel to correct deficiencies or personally conduct limited investigations at pre-trial stage
- Prepared and organized trial exhibits, to include statistical charts and photographic exhibits
- Verified citations and legal references on prepared legal documents
- Prepared summaries of testimony and depositions
- Drafted and edited nonlegal memoranda, research reports, and correspondence relating to cases
- Screened potential clients to determine eligibility for legal assistance and attorney-client conflicts
- Drafted and edited wills and supporting documents required for will executions
- Consulted with claimants on sufficiency and legality of claims covering matters such as death, personal injury, and property loss or damage
- Prepared claims for forwarding to appropriate activity or echelon
- Conducted multiple witness/victim interviews
- Orchestrated production of 14+ federal courts-martial from pretrial to post-appellate review.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Legal Studies
University of Maryland Global Campus
Adelphi, MD12.2024
Military Justice Administration Course -
The Judge Advocate General's School
Maxwell AFB, AL01.2019
Paralegal Craftsman Course -
The Judge Advocate General's School
Maxwell AFB, AL01.2017
Joint Postal Operations Course -
Community College of the Air Force
Fort Jackson, SC01.2013
Judge Advocate Operations Exercise -
The Judge Advocate General's School
Maxwell AFB, AL01.2012
Paralegal Apprentice Course -
The Judge Advocate General's School
Maxwell AFB, AL01.2010
Skills
- Sexual Harassment and Suicide Prevention Trained
- Evidence analysis
- Will and Estate Planning
- Government Purchase Account Trained
- Office Equipment Accountability Manager
- Notary Public trained
- Exhibits strong typing skills and accuracy at 40 WPM
- Adjusts with ease to administrative and clerical roles
- Effectively multi-tasks in fast paced work environment
- LexisNexis
- Proficient in MS Office
- Project Management
Professional Statement
Technically astute, legal professional with senior management, exceptional writing abilities, organizational, and interpersonal skills seeking to obtain full time experience as a legal analyst. Paralegal specialist responsible for providing service to the attorneys in Chief Counsel in large dollar, significant, complex cases with nation-wide and precedent setting impact before the United States Tax Court. Serves as a Contracting Officer Technical Representative (COTR) for expert witness procurement. Dedicated Veteran focused on applying 11 years of military experience from various echelons, including the largest joint base installation in the Department of Defense leading the administration of U.S. Air Force criminal law. Versed project manager with vast experience in analysis of documents and data; factual research and development; management and tracking of voluminous documents in both paper and electronic format. Seeks to take the initiative while building strong, networking partnerships to achieve beneficial outcomes for the betterment of organization's success. Proven experience in a legal work environment where sensitivity to confidential and critical security information is required. Exhibits moderate experience in Nexis Lexis/WestLaw and MS Office. Extensive experience researching legal authorities, investigating facts, coordinating legal processes, and preparing legal documents. Confidently manages multiple databases/tasks during normal day-to-day operations. Capable of securing and managing budget/funding along with preparing expert and lay witness travel funding. A trustworthy candidate seeking a new career opportunity.
Timeline
Paralegal Specialist
Internal Revenue Service, Office of Chief Counsel
10.2021 - Current
Supervising Paralegal of Military Justice and Civil Law
502d Air Base Wing, Office of the Staff Judge Advocate
01.2019 - 09.2021
Military Justice and General Law/Government Purchase Card Coordinator/Records Manager
502d Security Forces Group, Office of the Staff Judge Advocate
09.2016 - 01.2019
Finance Postal Clerk, Certified Tax Preparer
35th Communications Squadron
09.2013 - 09.2016
Military Justice and General Law Paralegal
355th Fighter Wing, Office of the Staff Judge Advocate
12.2010 - 09.2013
Bachelor of Science - Legal Studies
University of Maryland Global Campus
Military Justice Administration Course -
The Judge Advocate General's School
Paralegal Craftsman Course -
The Judge Advocate General's School
Joint Postal Operations Course -
Community College of the Air Force
Judge Advocate Operations Exercise -
The Judge Advocate General's School
Paralegal Apprentice Course -
The Judge Advocate General's School
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