Maria Vargas
Summary
I am a detail-oriented team player with strong organizational skills that is able to simultaneously manage multiple projects and priorities with a high degree of accuracy. Due to my diverse educational and professional background, I am able to successfully adapt to a variety of situations and apply my broad range of skills and experiences across various professional sectors. I am passionate about delivering value through my work and seek a position that offers professional challenges utilizing my interpersonal abilities, excellent time management, and flexible problem-solving skills.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Associate Attorney
Law Office of Miguel A. Elias, APLC
08.2014 - 03.2017
- Performed client intake and interacted with clients from initial meeting through final disposition of the case.
- Enhanced client satisfaction by providing comprehensive legal advice and representation in various cases.
- Achieved favorable outcomes for clients through skilled negotiation and effective litigation strategies.
- Conducted thorough legal research for case preparation, identifying critical information to support client positions.
- Drafted and reviewed legal documents, including contracts, pleadings, and motions, ensuring accuracy and compliance with applicable laws.
- Assisted senior attorneys with complex cases, contributing to the successful resolution of challenging disputes.
- Managed a diverse caseload, prioritizing tasks to meet deadlines while maintaining attention to detail.
- Mentored junior associates, providing guidance on best practices in legal research and drafting.
- Attended continuing legal education courses to stay current on changes in the law and emerging trends in practice areas.
- Evaluated potential new cases by analyzing facts and applicable laws to determine the likelihood of success on the merits.
- Streamlined internal processes by developing templates for commonly used legal documents and correspondence.
- Analyzed complex legal issues for clients across multiple industries, demonstrating adaptability and versatility in problem-solving skills.
- Conducted mock cross-examination and document review sessions to prepare clients and witnesses for upcoming court trials.
- Trained and supervised paralegals.
- Conducted trial preparation, court filings, document production, and records management on a daily basis.
- Conducted pre-trial conferences with defense attorneys, district attorneys, and judges.
- Worked closely with medical providers related to personal injury cases.
Associate Attorney
Law Office of Cristian P. Silva, LLC
11.2012 - 08.2014
- Screened clients to identify potential causes of action.
- Interviewed victims and witnesses to determine extent of the allegations and negotiated plea agreements with counsel.
- Prepared letters to government agencies on behalf of clients requesting information about pending cases.
- Drafted pleadings, deposition questions, trial direct and cross examination questions, and briefs.
- Negotiated personal injury settlements for clients following successful resolution.
- Worked extensively with parties, attorneys, opposing counsel, mediators, hearing officers, and judges.
- Analyzed financial statements, accident reports, witness statements, and other documents for pending court cases.
- Researched legal documents to identify relevant information and interviewed plaintiffs to gather facts.
- Developed strong relationships with clients through clear communication and understanding of their needs.
- Assisted clients with dispute resolution processes outside of litigation, such as mediation or arbitration proceedings.
- Coordinated discovery efforts with opposing counsel, managing timelines to ensure full compliance with procedural requirements.
- Conducted legal research and conferred with colleagues with subject matter expertise to develop strategies and arguments in preparation for presentation of cases.
- Assessed cases for probable outcomes by researching black letter law and other legal authority, comparing fact patterns to those of precedential cases.
- Communicated with clients and collected information to research cases and prepare settlement offers.
- Explained available courses of action and possible repercussions of cases to clients.
- Represented clients in court hearings and in negotiations with other parties.
Attorney Translator
Flanagan Partners, LLP
10.2012 - 10.2012
- Translated 200 legal documents and correspondence from Spanish to English.
Associate Attorney
F. Gerald Maples, PA
05.2012 - 09.2012
- Provided legal representation in matters pertaining, but not limited to, industrial workplace injury including asbestos, toxic torts, oil & gas, and environmental law.
- Performed client intake.
- Gathered and organized medical and legal records of injured plaintiffs for asbestos cases.
- Conducted legal research in the area of toxic torts.
- Developed strategies for court proceedings and negotiations.
- Advocated for clients before court in oral argument by presenting facts and evidence in most favorable light.
- Prepared and filed pleadings, motions and other legal documents in court proceedings.
Education
Graduate Medical Science Coursework -
American University of The Caribbean School of Medicine
Cupecoy, Sint Maarten01.2024
Undergraduate Pre-Medical Science Coursework: Biology, Chemistry, Physics -
Southeastern Louisiana University
Hammond, LA01.2020
Undergraduate Pre-Medical Science Coursework: Biology, Chemistry, Physics -
Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, LA12.2017
J.D. -
LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center
Baton Rouge, LA05.2011
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, LA05.2008
Skills
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Case Interpretation
- Mediation
- Investigation Skills
- Creative and Critical Thinking
- Organization and Administration
- Judgement and Decision Making
- Collaboration and Teamwork
- Mentoring and Coaching
- Legal Writing
- Legal Analysis
- Proficient in legal research (Westlaw/Lexis-Nexis) and Microsoft Office
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Bar Admission
Louisiana State Bar
Certification
Louisiana Notary
Timeline
Associate Attorney
Law Office of Miguel A. Elias, APLC
08.2014 - 03.2017
Associate Attorney
Law Office of Cristian P. Silva, LLC
11.2012 - 08.2014
Attorney Translator
Flanagan Partners, LLP
10.2012 - 10.2012
Associate Attorney
F. Gerald Maples, PA
05.2012 - 09.2012
Graduate Medical Science Coursework -
American University of The Caribbean School of Medicine
Undergraduate Pre-Medical Science Coursework: Biology, Chemistry, Physics -
Southeastern Louisiana University
Undergraduate Pre-Medical Science Coursework: Biology, Chemistry, Physics -
Louisiana State University
J.D. -
LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
Louisiana State University
Louisiana Notary
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