Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
personal information
references
Timeline

MELISSA A. SCALLAN

PARALEGAL
Tijeras,New Mexico

Summary

Experienced paralegal with a strong command of worker's compensation law in the state of New Mexico. Diligent and resourceful in conducting legal research and case investigations, trustworthy in handling confidential information; and articulate in preparing orders, notice of hearings, and other legal documents. Knowledge of labor law rules of procedure, mandatory disclosure requirements, preparation of pleadings, correspondence and e-filing. Technically skilled; use MS Office, Westlaw, Lexis Nexis, eLaw, PACER, and Judges' calendar. Hardworking Paralegal with 3 years in legal office administration. Offers exceptional interpersonal and communication skills. Legal Secretary equipped with positive attitude and proven success functioning well in large corporate office environments. Manages priorities for multiple high profile attorneys with ease. Positive relationships with court officials, colleagues and law enforcement members. Detail-oriented Legal Secretary with vast knowledge of legal industry and office management. Organized and efficient to learn new processes quickly.

Overview

17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Advanced Legal Secretary

New Mexico State Personnel Office
12.2022 - 08.2023
  • Perform highly confidential and complex administrative tasks for Judges in Adjudication
  • Calendaring Judges' hearings, trials, pre-trials, settlements, status conferences
  • Schedule zoom invites with both parties and workers
  • E-file all orders, notices, responses, and any other documents in case management
  • Operate all office equipment such as copier, fax, scanning files
  • Court monitoring for all Judge's cases on a daily docket
  • Scheduled and made appointments for 4 attorneys.

Braille Transcriber

Albuquerque Public Schools
08.2019 - 12.2022
  • Braille Transcriber for Students with Low or no vision
  • Upon request, I take print materials and produce braille
  • I use Duxbury Software and special equipment to produce maps, graphs, documents for students
  • Braille transcription is a tedious and detailed skill that must be accurate and efficient for the student
  • Deliver and pick up materials for students and staff within the Department
  • Extensive work with Word Processing and Google Docs.
  • Enhanced transcript accuracy by meticulously proofreading and editing transcriptions for grammar, punctuation, and formatting.
  • Expedited project completion times by efficiently managing multiple transcription projects simultaneously.
  • Delivered timely results by consistently meeting or exceeding project deadlines in a fast-paced work environment.
  • Improved overall transcription quality with the consistent use of industry-standard style guides and transcription software.
  • Supported team collaboration by effectively communicating with colleagues regarding project requirements, updates, and progress.
  • Streamlined processes with the implementation of advanced transcription software tools, resulting in improved efficiency levels across projects.
  • Contributed to company growth through exceptional performance, leading to an increase in repeat clients and positive referrals.
  • Assisted clients in meeting their unique needs by offering customized solutions tailored to specific industry jargon and terminology requirements.
  • Increased capacity for high-volume projects by mastering the use of foot pedals, headphones, and other essential transcription equipment.
  • Boosted productivity levels by constantly refining personal typing speed and accuracy skills throughout the work history period as a Transcriber.

Judicial Specialist II

Bernalillo Metropolitan Court
02.2018 - 08.2019
  • Process criminal pleadings from Public Defender, APD, and District Attorney's Office in a timely manner and time stamp
  • Provide public case information using Odyssey case management system
  • Legal research and filing records
  • Data Entry and accurate data retrieval
  • Organize, sort, deliver all documents to Judge's Chambers for signatures and filing
  • Perform the essential functions without reasonable accommodation
  • Independently prepare a variety of reports and correspondence.
  • Enhanced court efficiency by streamlining case management processes and implementing digital recordkeeping systems.
  • Expedited case resolutions by accurately prioritizing caseloads and effectively communicating with legal professionals.
  • Improved courtroom productivity by proficiently coordinating hearings, trials, and other judicial proceedings.

Educational Assistant

Albuquerque Public Schools Administration
09.2006 - 12.2018
  • Improved student comprehension by utilizing differentiated instructional strategies tailored to individual learning needs.
  • Enhanced classroom management through the implementation of positive reinforcement techniques and clear expectations for behavior.
  • Increased parent involvement by maintaining open lines of communication and providing regular updates on student progress.
  • Collaborated with fellow teachers to develop interdisciplinary units, promoting cross-curricular connections and deeper understanding of content.
  • Implemented data-driven instruction, analyzing assessment results to inform future lesson planning and instructional practices.
  • Supported students with special needs by adapting lessons and providing necessary accommodations in collaboration with special education staff.
  • Provided tutoring services after school hours, assisting struggling students and helping them reach their academic goals.
  • Coordinated with other staff members to ensure seamless transitions between classes or grade levels for students requiring additional support services.
  • Managed resources efficiently by organizing materials, tracking inventory, and preparing resources necessary for daily instruction.
  • Facilitated small group instruction targeted toward specific skill gaps or areas needing improvement based on identified student needs.
  • Encouraged social-emotional growth among students by modeling appropriate behavior and guiding conversations around self-awareness, empathy, and responsible decisionmaking.
  • Supported classroom teachers by monitoring behavior, taking attendance, and completing other administrative tasks as needed.
  • Supported student learning objectives through personalized and small group assistance.
  • Partnered with teacher to plan and implement lessons following school's curriculum, goals, and objectives.
  • Provided support to help students with special needs learn and grow.
  • Maintained safety and security by overseeing students in recess environments.
  • Applied specialized teaching techniques to reinforce social and communication skills.
  • Assisted classroom teacher in supervising snack time and indoor and outdoor play.
  • Collated classroom materials to help teachers prepare for daily instruction and activities.
  • Kept classrooms clean, neat, and properly sanitized for student health and classroom efficiency.
  • Oversaw groups of students at school and off-site locations, maintaining optimal safety, and security.
  • Prepared instruction materials, constructed bulletin boards, and set up work areas.
  • Organized and led practice, research and lab assignments.
  • Assisted in maintaining engaging and respectful educational environment by promoting discipline and cooperation.
  • Tailored lesson plans for students with emotional and cognitive disabilities.
  • Administered tests and assessments to evaluate student progress and performance.
  • Monitored students on field trips, handling roll call, and group movement to keep youths safe in public settings.
  • Mentored and tutored individual students needing additional help.
  • Copied, organized and distributed classroom assignments or other paperwork.
  • Collaborated with parents and guardians to increase support and provide best learning environment.
  • Supervised students on field trips for safety and proper behavior in public settings.

Education

Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice

Brown Mackie College, Albuquerque, NM
01.2013

GPA: 3.85

Skills

    • Typing Speed 75 WPM
    • Legal Coding
    • Drafting Legal Documents
    • Criminal law
    • Executive Calendars
    • Document Filing
    • Editing and Proofreading
    • Calendar Management
    • Transcription
    • Legal Research
    • Proficient in Odyssey-Case Management System-Polaris-Evidencecom-Watchguard
    • Research and Data Collection
    • Schedule Management
    • Document Preparation
    • Appointment Setting
    • Client Communication
    • Phone Etiquette
    • Meeting Coordination
      • Client Correspondence
      • Exhibit Preparation
      • Criminal Law
      • Case Management
      • Document Proofreading
      • Administrative Support
      • File Organization
      • Legal Terminology
      • Court Filing
      • Typing Speed
      • Interpersonal Skills
      • Team Collaboration
      • Problem Solving
      • Task Prioritization
      • Office Equipment Operation
      • Microsoft Office Proficiency
      • Confidentiality Maintenance
      • Professionalism

Certification

  • Certified Court Monitor #876
  • Health Assistant Certificate
  • Braille Transcriber Certificate
  • Educational Assistant Certificate

personal information

Title: LEGAL ASSISTANT/PARALEGAL/EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

references

References available upon request

Timeline

Advanced Legal Secretary - New Mexico State Personnel Office
12.2022 - 08.2023
Braille Transcriber - Albuquerque Public Schools
08.2019 - 12.2022
Judicial Specialist II - Bernalillo Metropolitan Court
02.2018 - 08.2019
Educational Assistant - Albuquerque Public Schools Administration
09.2006 - 12.2018
Brown Mackie College - Bachelor of Science, Criminal Justice
MELISSA A. SCALLANPARALEGAL