MELINA FUENTES
CORONA,CA
Summary
Legal professional with strong skills in writing, organizing and project managing cases related to civil law. Expertly conducts research, collects witness statements and organizes files. Experienced working with diverse populations to optimize representation.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
PARALEGAL
Community Legal Aid SoCal
2019.05 - Current
- Conducted intakes and interviewed clients
- Provided legal translation assistance to monolingual Spanish-speaking individuals
- Managed case load focused on public benefits and Consumer Defense
- Analyzed case elements to identify legal questions
- Maintained detailed and accurate case notes and timekeeping using (LegalServer)
- Conducted case investigations, witness interviews, and factual and legal research
- Identified conflicts of interest that may prevent Legal Aid SoCal from representing clients
- Led weekly workshops at local courthouse on consumer defense
- Supported language justice by translating legal documents, workshop materials, and community outreach
- Developed and participated in project management acquisition programs to establish new initiatives
- Drafted legal documents such as pleadings, memoranda, correspondence, hardship letters, discovery, and settlement offers
- Effectively communicated with clients, accurately relaying legal advice.
TENANT COORDINATOR
American Capital Realty Group
2017.04 - 2019.04
- Managed and coordinated over 60 work orders, ensuring accuracy and avoiding double billing by crosschecking financial statements with accounting department before issuing work orders to vendors
- Implemented daily and monthly financial statements by creating tenant and vendor spreadsheets
- Tracked tenant renewals, vacancies, and month-to-month leases by maintaining master schedule
- Monitored daily evictions and monthly trend averages
- Developed workplace policies to streamline processes
- Compiled tenant manual outlining responsibilities related to work orders, vendors, and emergency response procedures
- Provided support to tenants following rent increases, demands to vacate, property inspections, or in absence of supervisor
- Assisted in preparation for meetings and took minutes during meetings
- Managed company social media accounts by responding to customer reviews on Yelp and Google
- Supported onsite managers by finding appropriate vendors for unit needs and providing administrative assistance
- Collaborated with LA County and Orange County Housing Program for compliance with filed inspections
- Oversaw NetVendor Certificate Tracking Vendor program to mitigate business risk and ensure accurate documentation before onsite work
- Prepared 3-day notices to pay or quit and Declaration forms, reviewed eviction files, and provided documentation for court cases
- Provided weekly eviction status updates for Property Supervisors and generated insurance compliance reports for multiple states.
OPERATIONS MANAGER
Anaheim Indoor Marketplace
2011.09 - 2016.06
- Directed day-to-day business operations, supervising company departments such as accounting, marketing, security, construction, and maintenance to optimize operational efficiency and drive financial growth
- Managed leasing activities for over 200 retail stores, facilitated vendor contracts, and ensured compliance with Federal, State, and County business licenses and permits
- Collaborated closely with company owner to assess financial performance and uphold business integrity through comprehensive report writing
- Organized and executed marketing events to boost foot traffic to shopping center, enhancing overall business visibility and profitability
- Served as company liaison to public, neighboring businesses, and Government officials, fostering strong client relationships and advocating for company interests
- Oversaw incident reporting for slip and fall claims, small claims court appearances, workers compensation cases, and data organization for potential lawsuits
- Managed large cash amounts, maintained shopping center ATMs, supervised company bank accounts and petty cash, and handled payroll for 30+ employees
- Oversaw human resources functions, approved invoices, and executed contracts for various services to facilitate company operations.
- Identified and resolved unauthorized, unsafe, or ineffective practices
- Established positive and effective communication among unit staff and organization leadership, reducing miscommunications, and missed deadlines
- Led hiring, onboarding and training of new hires to fulfill business requirements
- Directed initiatives to improve work environment, company culture or overall business strategy
- Supervised operations staff and kept employees compliant with company policies and procedures
- Implemented business strategies, increasing revenue, and effectively targeting new markets
MARKETING COORDINATOR
Anaheim Indoor Marketplace
2002.04 - 2011.09
- Collaborated with local businesses and City of Anaheim government youth programs to coordinate community events
- Organized and executed over 15 community events with attendance ranging from 50 to 3,000
- Led extensive planning and marketing efforts for all events
- Designed brochures, flyers, website, newsletters, newspaper ads, and radio copy
- Marketed 200 stores in Anaheim Indoor Marketplace through various media channels
- Managed daily social media promotions and created online ads using Constant Contact for holiday events and store specials
- Oversaw purchasing of marketing materials and created monthly expense reports
- Conducted team meetings with marketing assistant and director to plan events effectively
- Recruited and trained marketing personnel to ensure outstanding work performance and meet marketing goals
- Provided job training and guidance to youth groups from Anaheim YMCA, Boy and Girls Club, City Youth Group, school head-start program, Gate school students, local church groups, and Salvation Army.
- Tracked and reported on marketing campaign responses
- Boosted brand awareness with target customer demographics with social, print, and email campaigns
- Used online and offline marketing to generate leads, increase visibility and drive sales growth
OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR
Anaheim Indoor Marketplace
1997.10 - 2002.02
- Supported General Manager by managing contracts, forms, schedules, and reports
- Organized daily vendor mail and utilized office machines for faxing, scanning, printing, and emailing reports
- Handled phone calls, greeted customers, and provided information on daily activities, hours, and location of Anaheim Indoor Marketplace
- Processed rent payments and credit card transactions
- Served as a translator during company meetings, translated documents, and assisted Spanish-speaking customers
- Managed heavy filing, coordinated work schedules with colleagues, and addressed customer complaints
- Liaised with Police Department and Fire Department during emergencies
- Maintained organization of vendor files, employee documents, and company records
- Assisted employees with healthcare changes and documentation
- Communicated with vendors regarding payment balances, expired licenses, and item violation notices
- Coordinated new vendor phone and internet installations
- Acted as weekend office manager.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice Administration Homeland Security
CalState University Dominguez Hills
Carson, Los Angeles08.2025
Associate of Arts - Paralegal Studies
Santa Ana College
Santa Ana, Orange01.2022
Skills
- Spanish/English
- Legal research
- Civil Law
- Proficient in MS Office
- Case management
- Professional
- Litigation Support
- Legal writing
- Project Management
- Legal Analysis
- Document drafting
- File Organization
- Client Communication
- Legal Compliance
- Document Preparation
- Calendar Management
- Administrative Support
- Contract Review
- Interviewing witnesses
- Attention to detail
- Legal Server
- OneLegal
- Lawyaw/Clio
- Interpersonal Skills
- Teamwork
- TimeKeeping
- Drafting
- Zoom/Video Conferencing
- Attorney Support
Accomplishments
- Member of Alpha Gamma Sigma Omicron honors society while enrolled in community college
- Member of Tau Sigma honors society at CalState University Dominguez Hills
- Nominated by the honors' director for the UCI grant Juan Lara Honors Award for exceptional improvement in scholarship within an honors program
- Invited to speak at the 2022 Justice Serve Night Award event as a distinguished student leader
- Supervised and train summer law clerks members.
- Managed more than 20 client cases per week.
Personal Information
Avid Runner
Timeline
PARALEGAL
Community Legal Aid SoCal
2019.05 - Current
TENANT COORDINATOR
American Capital Realty Group
2017.04 - 2019.04
OPERATIONS MANAGER
Anaheim Indoor Marketplace
2011.09 - 2016.06
MARKETING COORDINATOR
Anaheim Indoor Marketplace
2002.04 - 2011.09
OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR
Anaheim Indoor Marketplace
1997.10 - 2002.02
Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice Administration Homeland Security
CalState University Dominguez Hills
Associate of Arts - Paralegal Studies
Santa Ana College
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