Michele Maciel
Legal Investigator
Commerce City,CO
Summary
Legal professional with strong skills in writing, organizing, evidence collecting, interviewing, and project managing cases related to advancing justice in civil and criminal law. Expertly conducts research, collects witness statements, CORA requests, and organization of files. Experienced working with diverse and the most vulnerable population in order to bring justice to the community. Highly motivated to continually improve and extend personal skills and knowledge to attain increased responsibility and opportunities for professional growth.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Investigation Paralegal
Arapahoe County Government
12.2014 - Current
- Managing Paternity Program by coordinating all DNA genetic testing, collaborating with Labcorp regarding all status and results, maintain all supplies and resources, training all personnel, and maintaining all billing and payments.
- Gathering evidence and communicating with all witnesses regarding trials and status of over 500 cases.
- Organize and manage case files, tracking calendar deadlines, and maintaining litigation folders for all attorneys.
- Providing Discovery for CORA requests, State Appeals, AG Office, D.A. Office and all collaborative agencies for trial preparation and civil and criminal cases regarding multi-facet type of crimes such as abuse and neglect, murder, rape, homicide, overpayments of financial assistance, etc.
- Prepared legal briefs, motions, and pleadings.
- Communicated pertinent information to clients, counsel, court personnel, and office personnel via phone, email, and mail.
- Conduct legal investigation for child abuse and neglect cases and assist all counsel and law enforcement by gathering evidence needed for prosecution.
- Managed scheduling of court calendars and deadlines to maintain smooth flow of firm operations.
- Edited and proofread legal documents to verify accuracy.
Sr. Paralegal
Arapahoe County Government
02.2001 - 12.2014
- Managed all incoming correspondence from judges, court administrative staff and opposing parties.
- Trained new employees on company policies and legal standards.
- Coordinated settlement talks between counsel, defendants and plaintiffs.
- Oversaw 8 paralegal staff focused on all Paternity related issues. Trained, coordinated genetic testing, maintained all supplies and maintained all billing.
- Managed scheduling of court calendars and deadlines to maintain smooth flow of firm operations.
- Prepared legal briefs, motions, and pleadings.
- Assisted counsel in preparing answers, providing documentation, and information for discovery request.
- Helped attorneys prepare for trial by organizing exhibits and calling on witnesses to testify at hearings.
- Summarized depositions, legal documents and other material to provide attorney with relevant material for cases.
- Interviewed clients to obtain information relevant to cases.
- Collaborated with attorneys to develop strategies for each case.
- Conducted background investigations on defendants.
- Filing of all documents with court, either by E-filing, in person filing, mailing, and e-mailing.
- Attendance at court with Attorneys and assistance with trials.
- Contacted witnesses to testify under oath at court hearings.
Education
Associate of Science - Paralegal Studies
05.2014
Bachelor of Science - Applied Social Sciences
01.2014
Skills
- Case Management
- Legal Research
- Case File Preparation
- Proficiency in MS Office
- Litigation Support
- Trial Proceedings
- Evidence Gathering
- Project Management
- Online Databases
- Client Support
- Team Oriented
- Confidentiality Understanding
- Fraud investigation
Certification
- Notary Certification - 01/04/2027
Additional Information
- I was appointed to President for the Colorado County Attorney Association/Paralegal Division and held this role for two years. In this timeframe I coordinated multiple speakers to speak of various topics such as Foster Care, Psychosexual Evaluations, Ping Warrants, Family Violence Programs, Safehouse Denver, and multiple other agencies.
- I have volunteered at my agency every year for coordinating donations and handing out Thanksgiving baskets and Christmas presents to clients receiving assistance or assigned to a caseworker.
- I was on the PTA Board for three years for Turnberry Elementary and coordinated multiple fundraising activities
- I was on the Kempe Center committee that audited our open cases to show our most vulnerable clients for additional services through our agency.
Timeline
Investigation Paralegal - Arapahoe County Government
12.2014 - Current
Sr. Paralegal - Arapahoe County Government
02.2001 - 12.2014
Community College of Aurora - Associate of Science, Paralegal Studies
Colorado State University - Bachelor of Science, Applied Social Sciences
- Notary Certification - 01/04/2027
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