MARIA ISABEL SANTAMARIA
Red Bank,New Jersey
Summary
Highly skilled and dedicated Bilingual Legal Professional with 8+ years of experience as a Paralegal, Interpreter, Educator, and Administrative Professional. Proven expertise in immigration law, domestic violence advocacy, court interpretation, academic coordination, and executive administration. Holds active New Jersey Notary Public Commission and specialized certifications in legal interpretation, project management, and compliance. Fluent in English and Spanish with exceptional communication, organizational, and client relations skills. Seeking to leverage extensive legal experience and multilingual capabilities in a challenging Bilingual Legal Assistant or Executive Assistant role.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Project Manager / Executive Administrator(Part-Time, As Needed)
River Rock Masonry
New Jersey
01.2022 - Current
- Provide executive administrative support to company owner, managing schedules, correspondence, and client communications
- Oversee project coordination and ensure timely completion of construction and masonry projects
- Prepare contracts, proposals, invoices, and business documentation
- Manage vendor relationships and coordinate with subcontractors
- Handle bookkeeping tasks, budget tracking, and financial record-keeping
- Implement process improvements using Lean Six Sigma and project management methodologies
- Serve as bilingual liaison for Spanish-speaking clients and workers
Paralegal / Legal Interpreter
Tyler Breaux, Attorney
Red Bank, NJ
01.2023 - 01.2025
- Provided professional Spanish-English interpretation services for legal proceedings, client consultations, depositions, and court hearings
- Prepared, reviewed, and filed legal documents including immigration forms, court filings, and correspondence
- Assisted attorneys with case preparation, legal research, and client communication
- Managed client intake processes and maintained organized case files for 50+ active matters
- Coordinated scheduling, calendaring, and deadline management for legal team
- Served as liaison between Spanish-speaking clients and attorneys, ensuring clear communication and cultural sensitivity
- Maintained strict confidentiality and adhered to professional ethics standards
Teacher & Academic Coordinator
Uceda International Institute
New Jersey
01.2015 - 01.2022
- Coordinated academic programs and curriculum development for English language learners
- Supervised and mentored teaching staff, conducting performance evaluations and professional development sessions
- Managed student enrollment, academic records, and compliance documentation
- Developed and implemented lesson plans tailored to diverse student populations
- Served as primary liaison between students, faculty, and administration
- Scheduled classes, managed academic calendars, and coordinated testing schedules
- Provided bilingual support and interpretation services for Spanish-speaking students and families
- Maintained detailed records and reports in compliance with institutional and regulatory requirements
- Organized and led parent-teacher conferences and student orientation sessions
- Created a supportive learning environment resulting in high student retention and satisfaction rates
Skills
- Legal Document Preparation
- Court Interpretation (Spanish/English)
- Immigration Forms & Procedures
- Client Intake & Communication
- Notarization Services
- Case Management
- Domestic Violence Advocacy
- AML/BSA Compliance
- Project Management
- Calendar & Schedule Management
- Executive Support
- Legal Research
- Confidentiality & Ethics
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Bilingual Communication
- Academic Coordination
- Curriculum Development
- Staff Training & Supervision
Affiliations
- New Jersey Notary Public Association
- NJ SBA Member
Certification
- New Jersey Notary Public Commission, State of New Jersey, 11/01/25
- Immigration Forms Preparer Course, Professional Training Institute, 03/01/24
- Interpreting for Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Cases, Specialized Training Program, 08/01/25
- Working Effectively with Interpreters in DV/SA Cases, Specialized Training Program, 07/01/25
- Effective Judicial Interventions for Underage Drinking Offenders, Judicial Training Program, 08/01/25
- AML/BSA Compliance Certification, Trans-Fast Remittance, 01/01/13
- Project Management Essentials – Certified, Management and Strategy Institute, 05/01/20
- Lean Six Sigma White Belt – Certified, Management and Strategy Institute, 06/01/20
- TEFL/TESOL Diploma, International TEFL Academy, 05/01/22
- Cambridge: Developing Speaking Skills (B1/B2), Cambridge Assessment English, 03/01/22
Accomplishments
- 8+ Years of dedicated professional experience spanning legal, education, and administrative fields
- Successfully obtained New Jersey Notary Public Commission (2025-2030)
- 7 years as Academic Coordinator at Uceda Institute, managing programs and supervising staff
- Completed specialized training in sensitive legal areas including domestic violence, sexual assault, and immigration
- Earned Project Management and Lean Six Sigma certifications demonstrating commitment to operational excellence
- Maintained 100% confidentiality record in handling sensitive legal and academic matters
Custom
- Laura Rivera – Former co-worker at Uceda International Institute
- Salvador Hernandez – Owner at River Rock Masonry
Custom
- English
- Spanish, Native Fluency
- English, Full Professional Proficiency
Timeline
Paralegal / Legal Interpreter
Tyler Breaux, Attorney
01.2023 - 01.2025
Project Manager / Executive Administrator(Part-Time, As Needed)
River Rock Masonry
01.2022 - Current
Teacher & Academic Coordinator
Uceda International Institute
01.2015 - 01.2022