Maria Luisa "Lu" Williams
Ontario,CA
Summary
Goal-oriented professional with strong leadership capabilities exhibiting excellent communication, problem solving and strategic planning skills. Passionate about helping others. Collaborative leader with dedication to partnering with coworkers to promote engaged, empowering work culture. Documented strengths in building and maintaining relationships with diverse range of stakeholders in dynamic, fast-paced settings. Insightful Manager with experience directing and improving operations through effective employee motivational strategies and strong policy enforcement. Proficient in best practices, market trends and regulatory requirements of industry operations.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
SENIOR PARALEGAL/ SR. MANAGER, LEGAL OPERATIONS
Curative Inc./Curative Insurance Co.
09.2020 - 04.2024
- Managed legal vendors and invoices/billing.
- Responsible for hiring and training the legal team. Facilitated day to day operations of 12 person legal department.
- Supervised an administrative support staff of 6.
- Assisted with creating entities and maintaining corporate transactions for the company.
- Managed the Company's IP portfolio; liaised with outside counsel on deadlines and strategy.
- Handled all paralegal work for the company including corporate, contracts, employment and compliance work prior to filling positions for such roles.
- Handled a variety of human resource issues with candor and confidentiality.
- Led weekly program management meetings.
- Addressed department issues, developed best practices and improved service delivery.
- Managed and improved relationships with outside counsel and legal vendors.
- Strategically analyzed legal budget reports and made recommendations to decision makers.
- Reduced costs, optimized resource allocation, and improved efficiency in managing projects.
- Improved relationships with company leaders through clear communication and prompt response to inquiries.
- Managed complex legal projects, ensuring timely completion within budget constraints.
- Mentored junior paralegals, contributing to their professional development and growth.
- Liaised with other paralegals and legal staff to complete common tasks on schedule.
- Provided strong leadership to enhance team productivity and morale.
- Implemented and developed operational standards, policies and procedures.
- Improved team performance by providing comprehensive training and fostering a collaborative work environment.
- Achieved operational excellence by streamlining processes and implementing best practices.
- Identified cost improvement changes and cost savings plans to increase company savings (IronClad, SimpleLegal, BoardAdvantage, Westlaw) and managed all RFP's for legal needs.
- Created workflows, playbooks and templates for contracts for legal and business teams.
- Balanced competing priorities efficiently while maintaining focus on critical tasks requiring immediate attention.
- Promoted a culture of continuous learning through regular workshops, seminars, and training sessions for staff.
Assistant Manager, Sr. Paralegal, IP
Forever 21
04.2017 - 06.2020
- Managed all of Company's Intellectual Property portfolio;
- Managed incoming requests for clearance from designers, buyers and the marketing team;
- Prepare and file foreign and domestic trademark. applications, statements of use, extensions of time, amendments to allege use, Sections 8 & 15 declarations, and other filings
- Draft communications with foreign associates.
- Preliminary trademark availability searching with the USPTO, Saegis, WIPO.
- Search internet for common law designs and proposed names, marks and logos.
- Review office actions and summarize issues for attorneys
- Perform internal trademark searches and/or initial review of outside vendor search reports and preparing charts and draft findings
- Draft filing instructions for foreign trademark applications for specific countries.
- Reporting deadlines to docketing and docket clearance.
- Managed all copyright registrations and applications.
- Client communications, including reporting actions, deadlines and providing accurate charts of client’s prosecution matters
- Make preliminary evaluations regarding potential specimens showing use for submission.
- Assist with TTAB proceedings and trademark litigation, including drafting and filing of documents, maintaining pleadings files and docket, searching for third party marks or evidence of use and related tasks
- Worked with and corresponded to outside counsel regarding foreign filings and enforcement actions.
- Implemented training programs for junior paralegals, increasing team efficiency and productivity.
- Improved internal knowledge sharing by creating an easily accessible database containing relevant case law updates related to intellectual property matters as well as records for reference for the design team.
- Managed copyright registration process workflow by preparing applications and maintaining accurate records.
- Provided support during intellectual property litigation, contributing to favorable outcomes for clients.
- Served as PMK for high profile cases (Gucci, Adidas, etc).
- Attended mediations and depositions as needed.
- Collaborated with attorneys to develop comprehensive strategy for IP protection and enforcement.
- Maintained organized records of correspondence, filings, and deadlines to ensure timely action on all matters.
- Facilitated successful trademark registrations by conducting clearance searches and preparing filings.
- Assisted in licensing negotiations by providing accurate valuations of intellectual property assets held by clients.
- Prepared licensing contracts with influencers and brands.
- Managed the relationship between legal and the design team.
- Monitored third-party use of Company's intellectual property rights by setting up watch services, enabling prompt enforcement actions when needed.
Manager, Legal Support and Senior Paralegal
Hot Topic, Inc. / Torrid/ BoxLunch
05.2007 - 08.2016
- Accomplished multiple tasks within established timeframes.
- Managed and motivated employees to be productive and engaged in work.
- Maximized performance by monitoring daily activities and mentoring team members.
- Cross-trained existing employees to maximize team agility and performance.
- Member of in-house team responsible for all legal matters with online and retail stores consisting of over 1000 stores in the U.S., Puerto Rico and Canada. Supports the General Counsel with all marketing, IP, regulatory and litigation matters for the company.
- Managed the IP portfolio for all three of its brands.
- Established team priorities, maintained schedules and monitored performance.
- Responsible for hiring, managing and corresponding with outside counsel for all legal needs.
- Streamlined workflows by identifying bottlenecks in existing systems and proactively addressing these challenges through appropriate solutions implementation.
- Reduced litigation costs for clients by negotiating favorable settlements in various cases.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of legal developments by participating in continuing education programs and industry events.
- Assisted counsel in preparing answers, providing documentation, and information for discovery request.
- Assisted in preparation of settlement proposals and agreements to help attorneys negotiate settlement in best interest of client.
- Monitored changes in laws, regulations and other legal matters to keep the company compliant with requirements.
- Collaborated with attorneys to develop strategies for each case.
- Created weekly, monthly, and quarterly expense reports and managed the legal budget.
Education
MBA - Marketing
University of Phoenix
Tempe, AZ06.2009
Bachelor of Arts - Business Administration
University of Phoenix
Tempe, AZ06.2003
Paralegal Certificate - Paralegal Studies
UEI College - Gardena
Gardena, CA12.1999
Volunteer Work
Realization of Dreams Foundation
Community events for the City of Walnut
Special Needs Network (autism awareness)
Additional Information
I have excellent communication skills. I work well with either leading or being part of a team. With my strong communication skills, I have been able to motivate others to high standards of work performance. I maintain a professional work ethic and pride myself with my ability to work well with a multitude of work styles and personalities.
Timeline
SENIOR PARALEGAL/ SR. MANAGER, LEGAL OPERATIONS
Curative Inc./Curative Insurance Co.
09.2020 - 04.2024
Assistant Manager, Sr. Paralegal, IP
Forever 21
04.2017 - 06.2020
Manager, Legal Support and Senior Paralegal
Hot Topic, Inc. / Torrid/ BoxLunch
05.2007 - 08.2016
MBA - Marketing
University of Phoenix
Bachelor of Arts - Business Administration
University of Phoenix
Paralegal Certificate - Paralegal Studies
UEI College - Gardena
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