Melanie Jones
Upper Marlboro,MD
Summary
Results-driven professional with excellent communication skills. Demonstrated ability to work independently and in teams. Proactive in seeking new projects for personal and professional growth. Exceptional writing and research skills ensure the delivery of high-quality work.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Legal Assistant
Criminal Division (Appellate Section)- U.S. Department of Justice
2020.05 - Current
- Produce correspondence for the section
- Generate a detailed summary of appellate arguments that have been decided by the Supreme Court and submit to the administrative department for tracking purposes
- Create database records storing case information
- Serve as the face of the division when escorting department visitors to and from the visitor’s entrance
- Draft the Table of Contents and Table of Authorities for attorneys’ legal briefs
- Proofread, including citation-checking and editing duties, for final stages of legal brief preparation
- Proofread and citation-check division-wide guidance memoranda
- Conduct legal research duties utilizing various research databases
- Organize and submit travel arrangements including any necessary paperwork or memos for 30+ attorneys
- Record and submit travel expenses upon return from travel in a timely manner
- Respond to all Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests per section guidelines
- Routinely track oral argument assignments for each section attorney and produce a quarterly report of the gathered information
- Produce transcriptions of recordings of legal proceedings
- Download, review, and organize electronic exhibits and records, including videos and recordings, for attorney use
- Lead monthly Book Club discussion group discussing social issues including but not limited to racial and gender disparities in the legal system.
Student Advisor
Sociology Undergraduate Office - University of Maryland, College Park
2017.08 - 2019.12
- Schedule and take meetings with undergraduate students
- Schedule and organize advising appointments for undergraduate advisors
- Meet with and walk students through major change process
- Answer general questions about major requirements, classes, and more
- Actively assist students with resume editing and resume production for the purpose of obtaining internships
- Direct students to appropriate undergraduate office advisor, faculty member, or administrative member.
Part-time Managing Partner
Brighton Collectibles- Pentagon City Mall
2011.08 - 2018.08
- Provide superior customer service to all clients
- Organize and host special events for VIP clients
- Periodically touch base with store clients via email or personal phone call to keep them up to date about new products and store events
- Prepare and process special orders and requests for customers both local and nationwide
- Process and file important documents properly at the end of closing shift
- Complete reimbursement forms for clients and staff
- Review and audit time and attendance for accuracy
- Track, review, and monitor online purchases, letters, and memos submitted by headquarters
- Reserve items and personal appointment times for interested consumers
- Update supply inventory as needed
- Assemble fashionable materials for display
- Create material and finalize design layouts for catalogs while proofreading various forms and booklets prior to final printing
- Document deposit transactions of the store
- Process and track special orders submitted on behalf customers when product is not in store
- Organize quarterly team meetings with store team members.
Education
B.A.-Sociology And Public Policy- Concentration in Social Policy -
University of Maryland, College Park
College Park, MD2020-05
A.A.- Sociology -
Prince George’s Community College
Prince George’s County, MD2017-05
Skills
- Microsoft Office Suite
- JIRA Project Tracking Software
- Google Suite
- SharePoint
- USAfx File sharing system
- Editing
- Proofreading
- Citation-checking
- Professional and technical writing
- Experience with WestLaw
- Lexus
- HeinOnline
- And ProQuest research databases
- Bluebooking- Legal Citation Series certification- DOJ Libraries
- Legal Research Series certification- DOJ Libraries
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Active listening
- Communication
- Critical thinking
- Data Management
- Legal research and writing
- Document control support
- Document Preparation
Corecompetencyskills
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Active listening
- Communication
- Critical thinking
Volunteer Experience
Petey Greene Program, DC, Tutor, Work one-on-one or with a group of students during study hall tutoring sessions who are studying for their GED or enrolled in college courses., Create lesson plan specifically for tutoring session to support learning needs of students., Keep up-to-date log of academic areas in need of improvement for students., Check in weekly with program’s teachers to discuss area of focus for the day.
Affiliations
Court Appointed Special Advocate|Prince George’s County Court Appointed Special Advocate
December 2017-October 2020
- Conduct regular visits with child(ren) involved in assigned case at least once a week
- Work closely with all parties involved in the child’s case including but not limited to: Caseworkers with the Department of Social Services, Therapists/Mentors, Teachers/School administration, Foster parents, Attorneys
- Keep up-to-date notes on child’s progress
- Keep detailed monthly case activity log
- Keep up-to-date notes on court-ordered services for biological parent(s) involved in the case (i.e
- Urinalysis testing, mandatory therapy sessions, etc.)
- Draft court documents detailing case information regarding child’s progress (education, health, mental health, permanency plan, etc.)
- Organize and attend meetings with teachers
- Organize and attend bi-weekly meetings with CASA supervisor
- Attend scheduled Family Intervention Meetings (FIM) at Department of Social Services
- Record all correspondence with child’s attorney and parent’s attorney for court document purposes
- Attend scheduled court hearings whenever possible
- Speak at scheduled court hearings/continuances advocating in the best interest of the child.
Petey Greene Program- Volunteer Tutor
February 2020-Present
Work one-on-one or with a group of students during study hall tutoring sessions who are studying for their GED or enrolled in college courses.
- Create lesson plan specifically for tutoring session to support learning needs of students.
- Keep up-to-date log of academic areas in need of improvement for students.
- Check in weekly with program’s teachers to discuss area of focus for the day.
Accomplishments
- Awarded multiple within grade increases for superior performance
- Awarded multiple bonus awards for work within the Criminal-Appellate Section
- Attorney General Award for superior work as a Legal Asisstant
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Legal Assistant
Criminal Division (Appellate Section)- U.S. Department of Justice
2020.05 - Current
Student Advisor
Sociology Undergraduate Office - University of Maryland, College Park
2017.08 - 2019.12
Part-time Managing Partner
Brighton Collectibles- Pentagon City Mall
2011.08 - 2018.08
B.A.-Sociology And Public Policy- Concentration in Social Policy -
University of Maryland, College Park
A.A.- Sociology -
Prince George’s Community College
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