Michelle Blakes
Plano,TX
Summary
I am reliable and a good-natured coworker. As a Fine Jewelry Specialist, I have been successful at promoting customer loyalty, satisfaction and purchases with consultative techniques and diligent attention to individual needs. I am knowledgeable about product merchandising, marketability as well as jewelry repair needs and cleaning. I am a dedicated and dependable relationship-builder with excellent organizational strengths and superior work ethic.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Fine Jewelry Specialist
The Jewelry Gallery
Dallas, TX
07.2017 - Current
- Engaged in friendly conversation with customer to better determine individual needs, whether consignment or quick cash sale is best option.
- Use of gemological knowledge to assess, and describe jewelry for consignment, listing and sales.
- Generated and maintained jewelry store's website for sales, promotions and store information.
- Drafting of quarterly newsletter providing jewelry expertise in areas such as styling of period pieces; types of pearls; designer hallmarks; proper care and storage of fine pieces.
- Streamlined store inventory management through meticulous organization and accurate record-keeping of high-value items.
- Maintained comprehensive client records using custom database software systems to track purchase history, preferences, special occasions, and correspondence details for personalized outreach efforts.
- Conducted thorough appraisals for insurance purposes and resale valuation, utilizing extensive gemological expertise and market knowledge.
- Developed strong rapport with customers and created positive impression of business.
- Increased sales revenue by developing and implementing targeted marketing strategies in store's online sales platform.
Legal Secretary
Special Counsel
Dallas, TX
01.2017 - 06.2017
- Through employment with Special Counsel, I was placed on long-term temporary assignments at various law firms (Fox Rothschild, Baron & Budd).
- Filed documents with courts on behalf of attorney.
- Created and printed legal documents for attorneys to review.
- Transcribed legal documents and phone conversations.
- Scheduled and made appointments for 3 attorneys.
- Prioritized and handled multiple assignments and maintained firm commitment to deadlines.
- Enhanced attorney productivity with proficient management of case files and schedules.
- Developed strong relationships with court personnel to ensure smooth filing processes and adherence to regulations.
- Maintained strict confidentiality of sensitive information to protect client privacy and uphold professional ethics.
- Received and placed telephone calls to clients and prospective clients.
- Facilitated communication between clients and attorneys, ensuring prompt responses to inquiries.
- Organized files for court proceedings.
Paralegal
Baron & Budd
Dallas, TX
05.2016 - 01.2017
- Expedited document review process by conducting initial reviews of key documents for relevance and privilege status.
- Increased collaboration among team members by coordinating meetings, conference calls, and video conferences with internal staff and external parties involved in cases.
- Generated leads to meet and exceed revenue goals by identifying new clients.
- Contributed to successful case outcomes through diligent fact investigation and witness interviews.
- Researched statutes, decisions, legal articles, and codes.
- Conferred with clients and other involved parties to gather and track case information.
- Summarized depositions, legal documents and other material to provide attorney with relevant material for cases.
- Collaborated with attorneys to develop strategies for each case.
- Assisted attorneys with trial preparation through thorough research and analysis of relevant laws and regulations.
- Helped attorneys prepare for trial by organizing exhibits and calling on witnesses to testify at hearings.
Residential Realtor
Preferred Residential Realty
Dallas, TX
01.2008 - 12.2016
- Provided Broker Price Opinion Property Valuation reports to Real Estate Departments of banking institutions in preparation of foreclosure proceedings.
- Managed scheduled meetings to maintain satisfaction of both buyers and sellers and facilitate smooth purchases.
- Interviewed clients and generated lists of potential properties meeting specific requirements from available listings.
- Verified payment and loan paperwork for property sales by working closely with banks, buyers, and sellers.
- Utilized advanced technology tools to enhance marketing efforts and reach a larger audience of potential buyers for listed properties.
- Educated clients by delivering explanations of short sales processes, mortgage loan processing, and foreclosures.
- Arranged for inspections and surveys of sold properties.
Legal Secretary
Bracewell & Giuliani
Dallas, TX
07.2007 - 11.2010
- Created and printed legal documents for attorneys to review.
- Transcribed legal documents and phone conversations.
- Scheduled and made appointments for 3 attorneys.
- Diligently edited legal correspondence for grammar and spelling.
- Developed and maintained filing and retrieval systems.
- Managed check requests, expense reimbursement requests, invoices and accounts payable and receivable information.
- Arranged for delivery of legal correspondence to clients, witnesses, and court officials.
- Created, indexed, and maintained client binders.
- Managed multiple high-priority tasks simultaneously, meeting all deadlines while maintaining a high level of accuracy.
- Composed contracts, pleadings and motions in accordance with established guidelines.
- Scheduled all appointments, appearances and briefings.
- Transcribed information from typed or handwritten notes, shorthand or dictation and confirmed accuracy and correct formatting of documents.
- Researched and booked reasonably-priced and comfortable airfare, hotels and ground transportation for senior leadership.
- Assisted in drafting legal documents such as pleadings, motions, and briefs, contributing to successful case resolutions.
Education
Graduate Diamonds - Fine Jewelry
Gemological Institute of America
Carlsbad, CA09.2019
Paralegal Certificate - Legal Studies
University of Texas, Arlington
Arlington, TXHigh School Diploma -
San Dimas High School
San Dimas, CASkills
Customer Needs Assessment
Item Ticketing and Pricing
Team Cooperation
Gemstone Identification
Exceeding Customer Expectations
Document Formatting
Administrative Functions
Case Files Organization
Document Management
Typing speed 70 WPM
Proficient in Tabs3
Drafting legal documents
Timeline
Fine Jewelry Specialist
The Jewelry Gallery
07.2017 - Current
Legal Secretary
Special Counsel
01.2017 - 06.2017
Paralegal
Baron & Budd
05.2016 - 01.2017
Residential Realtor
Preferred Residential Realty
01.2008 - 12.2016
Legal Secretary
Bracewell & Giuliani
07.2007 - 11.2010
Graduate Diamonds - Fine Jewelry
Gemological Institute of America
Paralegal Certificate - Legal Studies
University of Texas, Arlington
High School Diploma -
San Dimas High School