Maria Williams
Auburn,WA
Summary
Dedicated legal assistant with over 20 years of experience providing comprehensive trial support to attorneys in Strategic Litigation and managing legal documentation. Recognized for attention to detail, exceptional teamwork, organizational skills, reliability and effective communication, and strong interpersonal abilities, contributing to successful litigation outcomes, and smooth operations and compliance.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Legal Assistant (OA), GS-0986-08
Office of Chief Counsel - IRS
Seattle, Washington
10.2021 - Current
- Provide Trial Support for Strategic Litigation Teams.
- Managed pleadings, motions, and exhibit materials, ensuring compliance with legal standards.
- Reviewed and prepared legal documents, such as pleadings, motions, briefs, memoranda of law and discovery requests.
- Assembled case exhibits and supporting evidence for trial preparation.
- Filed pleadings and paperwork with court clerk to meet strict deadlines.
- Organized exhibits for trial proceedings.
- Conducted legal research using IRS guidelines and relevant statutes to support cases.
- Researched case law, statutes, regulations and other legal authorities to support assigned tasks.
- Redacted PII information from legal documents for trial and e-filing.
- Drafted correspondence, documented data and submitted materials to appropriate parties.
- Organized legal documents in company filing systems and databases.
- Managed case files and maintained organized documentation for legal proceedings.
- Safeguarded client confidentiality in compliance with legal regulations and established protocols.
- Maintained confidentiality of sensitive information in compliance with regulations.
- Coordinated travel arrangements for attorneys for conferences, trials, and depositions, optimizing schedules for efficiency.
- Facilitated effective communication by screening and routing telephone calls appropriately.
- Provided administrative support to attorneys by managing calendars; scheduling appointments; organizing files; preparing correspondence; filing court documents; and obtaining necessary signatures.
- Supported the office by performing administrative tasks to ensure smooth operations.
- Updated databases with new information received from attorneys or taxpayers.
- Mailed and arranged for delivery of legal correspondence to taxpayer, witnesses and court officials.
- Proofread drafts of legal documents for accuracy in grammar and punctuation.
- Scanned physical documents into electronic format for storage in a secure database system.
- Maintained inventory levels of office supplies necessary for day-to-day operations. Draft subpoena Package/Documents.
- Liaised between attorney and outside counsel, exchanging information.
- Filed documents with the appropriate courts and government agencies.In the past scheduled appoinments, nowadays procedures changed to legal staff scheduling self directed meetings via correspondence.
- Conducted legal research using IRS guidelines and relevant statutes to support cases.
- Assisted attorneys in preparing legal documents and case briefs for reviews.
- Managed case files and maintained organized documentation for legal proceedings.
Legal Assistant (OA), GS-0986-07, Promoted to GS-8
Office of Chief Counsel - IRS
Seattle, Washington
11.2000 - 10.2021
- Reviewed and prepared legal documents, including pleadings, motions, briefs, memoranda of law, and discovery requests, ensuring accuracy and compliance with legal standards.
- Drafted legal documents and correspondence for tax-related cases.
- Assisted attorneys in preparing for trial and client meetings.
- Organized and prepared case exhibits and evidence for trial.
- Organized case files and maintained document management systems to ensure easy access and retrieval of information.
- Organized exhibits for trial proceedings.
- Provided administrative support to assist attorneys in litigation preparation.
- Managed confidential information while adhering to privacy regulations.
- Maintained client confidentiality in all matters.
- Answered phones promptly while providing courteous customer service.
- Scanned physical documents into electronic format for storage in a secure database system.
- Processed incoming mail on a daily basis. Filed respondent's legal documents for court processing.
- Greeted clients and visitors upon arrival at the office and provided assistance.
- Mailed and arranged for delivery of legal correspondence to clients, witnesses and court officials.
- Updated databases with new information received from attorneys or clients.
- Ensured that all paperwork was properly filed according to established procedures.
- Proofread drafts of legal documents for accuracy in grammar and punctuation.
- Routed telephone calls efficiently to the appropriate departments.
- Filed pleadings and paperwork with the court clerk to meet strict deadlines.
- Performed basic bookkeeping duties including tracking payments received from taxpayers.
- Redacted PII information from legal documents.
- Prepared and processed vouchers for reimbursing attorneys after travel. Coordinated travel arrangements for attorneys per policy.
- Organized legal documents in company filing systems and databases.
- Drafted correspondence, and submitted materials to appropriate parties.
- Knowledgeable dealing with pleadings, motions and exhibit preparation.
- Coordinated the issuance and delivery of subpoenas for legal proceedings.
- Organized and prepared case exhibits and evidence for trial.
- Coordinated the issuance and delivery of subpoenas for legal proceedings.
Education
Associate of Applied Science - Paralegal Studies
Highline Community College
Seattle, WA01-1999
Associate of Applied Science - Legal Secretary
Highland Community College
Seattle, WA01-1996
Skills
- Administrative Management
- Administrative support
- Document editing
- File Organization
- Record Keeping
- Microsoft Office
- Writing and Editing
- Attention to Detail
- Calendar Management
- Telephone etiquette
- Problem solving
- Exceptional Teamwork
- Dependable
- Self-management
- Interpersonal skills
- Adaptability to Change
- Telephone etiquette
Accomplishments
- Received many award/recognition over the years from 2001 - 2026, such as Managers, Customer Service, Team Support, and Performance and Special Service
Timeline
Legal Assistant (OA), GS-0986-08
Office of Chief Counsel - IRS
10.2021 - Current
Legal Assistant (OA), GS-0986-07, Promoted to GS-8
Office of Chief Counsel - IRS
11.2000 - 10.2021
Associate of Applied Science - Paralegal Studies
Highline Community College
Associate of Applied Science - Legal Secretary
Highland Community College