Melissa Gates
Naples,FL
Summary
Professional Legal Assistant, Paralegal, Executive Assistant and Project Manager providing excellent support, collaboration, organizational skills and effective communication. I thrive when organizing, planning, and accomplishing tasks that drive strategic goals in growing companies and organizations.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Legal Assistant
The Hertz Corporation
Estero, FL
04.2020 - 03.2023
- Retrieved on behalf of the Labor and Employment team personnel files and documents for production.
- Reviewed incoming legal assignment requests and determined whether to assign new matters to an attorney or a paralegal.
- Draft lease agreements, amendments and terminations.
- Submit quarterly and monthly lobbyists reports.
- Coordinated electronic document processing for the Electronic Vehicles, Construction, Facilities and Environmental departments.
- Maintained a digital signature file for Vice Presidents, attorneys and related team members to use for electronic documents.
- Streamlined the document process within real estate legal team and between related departments to insure an effective and efficient process for all involved.
- Created and maintained cohesive relationships to enable a more efficient and friendly working relationship with related departments.
- Redacted confidential information from legal documents on case-by-case basis.
- Liaised between attorney and outside counsel, exchanging information.
- Followed risk and compliance policies and procedures to promote business activities.
- Organized legal documents in company filing systems and databases.
Legal Assistant
The Hertz Corporation
Estero, FL
10.2017 - 04.2020
- Assigned new matters to attorneys and paralegals
- Draft lease agreements, amendments and terminations
- Research lawsuits for attorneys for business interest and whether claims are worth pursuing
- Submitted quarterly and monthly lobbyists reports
- Handled telephone calls, meeting plans and conference organization requirements.
- Provided administrative support to commercial real estate and immigration attorneys.
- Liaised between attorney and outside counsel, exchanging information.
- Created and streamlined documents and procedures to assist in preparing end client letters for the immigration process
- Prepared and processed expense reports for reimbursing attorneys.
- Organized legal documents in company filing systems and databases.
- Created and updated case management and client account databases.
Legal Assistant
Cohen & Grigsby
Naples, FL
08.2016 - 08.2017
- Assisted HOA/COA attorney in preparing Declarations, Bylaws and Rules and Regulations for communities
- Met with HOA/COA clients to review drafted community documents
- Successfully communicated with clients, peers and attorneys within and outside the firm via written correspondence, emails and meetings
- Effectively maintained an electronic record keeping system that is shared with other locations to increase efficiency and reliability
- Submitted invoices for timely payment
- Assisted with trial preparation
- Effectively supported partners/directors, associates and paralegals in real estate and litigation
- Entered time and maintained the filing system
- Improved office efficiency by offering important information regarding via email
- Prepared correspondence and emails on behalf of attorneys
Legal Assistant
Roetzel & Andress
Naples, FL
12.2011 - 08.2016
- Successfully assisted departments with implementation of new procedures and software.
- Handled telephone calls, meeting plans and conference organization requirements.
- Mailed and arranged for delivery of legal correspondence to clients, witnesses and court officials.
- Managed office scheduling and kept accurate notes on deadlines, motions and other dates.
- E-Filed pleadings and paperwork with court clerk to meet strict deadlines.
- Participated in client interviews, observed questioning process and documented information.
- Filed clients' legal documents in relevant courts for processing.
- Provided administrative support and conducted research to assist attorneys in civil litigation preparation.
- Maintained knowledge on case status by reviewing relevant records and reporting back to clients.
- Corresponded daily with clients and attorneys.
- Provided administrative support to boost firm's document production and legal correspondence.
- Redacted confidential information from legal documents on case-by-case basis.
- Drafted legal complaints, summonses and interrogatories.
- Oversaw legal team appointments, hearings and depositions schedules.
- Organized legal documents in company filing systems and databases.
- Responded to client calls and inquiries to deliver applicable information.
- Drafted motions, briefs and other legal documents.
- Drafted correspondence, documented data and submitted materials to appropriate parties.
- Met with clients and attorneys to discuss case details and evidence.
- Knowledgeable dealing with pleadings, affidavits, motions and exhibit preparation.
- Organized and prepared case exhibits and evidence for trial.
- Organized exhibits and arguments to present evidence on behalf of clients.
Legal Assistant
Becker & Poliakoff
Naples, FL
09.2011 - 06.2012
- Assisted litigation attorney, land use attorney and HOA/COA attorney.
- Transcribed from dictation, entered time, and maintained the filing system.
- Improved office efficiency by offering important information regarding via email.
- Met with clients to assist in various requests.
- Submitted invoices for timely payment.
- Successfully communicated with clients, peers and attorneys within and outside the firm via written correspondence, emails and meetings.
Legal Administrator
Arthrex
Naples, FL
02.2004 - 05.2011
- Provided Legal and Executive Assistant assistance to the Vice President, General Counsel, Vice President of Finance and Vice President of Operations.
- Assisted the Compliance Officer in the analysis of the company’s compliance posture and the development of control recommendations.
- Consulted with product management and regional managers to keep field updated of changes.
- Consulted with teams on compliance initiatives and worked with the Compliance Officer to provide corporate compliance perspectives and develop strategies to reduce any potential compliance exposures.
- Provided input and representation on key compliance initiatives, meetings and committees.
- Stayed up-to-date on industry and compliance trends; recommended and implemented changes to internal company processes as needed.
- Developed an in-house timekeeping system to track time consultants spent on company related activities.
- Negotiated consultant and royalty agreements in accordance with company guidelines.
- Assisted with the analysis and interpretation of regulatory compliance requirements.
- Assisted in the coordination and facilitation of multi-departmental communications, task scheduling, and follow-up.
- Compiled necessary information to complete and submit global insurance application.
- Compiled necessary information from multi departments to produce documentation on litigation cases.
- Coordinated IP documents relating to product development with product teams and consultants.
- Scheduled IP deadlines and coordinated filings with outside counsel.
- Obtained data from United States Patent and Trademark Office.
- Supported IP professionals.
- Provided main point of contact for department and coordinated workflow.
- Assisted in-house general counsel with the litigation process and drafting corporate agreements with third party companies and consultants.
- Developed, maintained and managed the departmental record identification and retention program.
- Maintained the company’s corporate documents including tracking, maintenance and storage.
- Communicated with internal personnel and external entities regarding ongoing projects and contracts.
Education
Associate of Applied Science - Paralegal Studies
South Florida Business Institute
Fort Myers, FL08.1989
Skills
- MS Office Proficient
- Travel and Event Coordination
- Office Management
- Complex Problem Solving
- Filing System Organization
- Critical Thinking
- Information Confidentiality
- Conflict Resolution
- Trial Preparation Assistance
- Legal Research
- Verbal and Written Communication
- Legal Correspondence
- Correspondence and Legal Forms Drafting
- Legal Terminology
- Relationship Building
- Report Writing
- Calendar Management
- Case Summaries
- Summary Writing
- Document Management
- Database Management
- Document Control Support
- Case Management
- Customer Relationship Management
- Project Management
- Cross-Functional Communication
- Troubleshooting Complex Problems
- Team Collaboration
- Attention to Detail
- Effective Multitasking
- Discovery and Document Review
- Administrative Support
- Contract Review and Negotiation
- Creative and Critical Thinking
- Document Preparation
- Drafting Motions and Disclosures
- Time Management
- Establishing Effective Relationships
- Policy Knowledge
- Deadline Adherence
- Interpersonal Skills
- Collaboration and Teamwork
- Knowledge of Federal and State Laws
- Organization and Administration
- Calm Under Pressure
- Building Trust and Relationships
Timeline
Senior Legal Assistant
The Hertz Corporation
04.2020 - 03.2023
Legal Assistant
The Hertz Corporation
10.2017 - 04.2020
Legal Assistant
Cohen & Grigsby
08.2016 - 08.2017
Legal Assistant
Roetzel & Andress
12.2011 - 08.2016
Legal Assistant
Becker & Poliakoff
09.2011 - 06.2012
Legal Administrator
Arthrex
02.2004 - 05.2011
Associate of Applied Science - Paralegal Studies
South Florida Business Institute
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