MICHELLE SILVER
W. Los Angeles,USA
Summary
Experienced legal assistant specializing in civil litigation and e-filing across multiple jurisdictions. Skilled in managing pleadings, case files, and calendars with strong communication and confidentiality. Thrive in high-pressure environments and consistently meet tight deadlines.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Civil Litigation/Legal Assistant/Office Manager
Esensten Law
Los Angeles, CA
11.2016 - Current
- Manage civil litigation matters, set up depositions, correspondence, correspond with court clerks and opposing counsel, e-file in Federal, Appellate and State Courts, prepare complaints, assisted in preparing motions, manage office calendar, draft and format pleadings, TOC/TOA, bates stamp, mass mailing, redaction, prepare case for arbitration/mediation/trials/hearings, hearing binders, schedule (zoom) meetings, coordinated travel arrangements, maintain office supplies, scan , file all incoming documents, handled mail, strive to maintain a paperless environment, client intake, gathered/reviewed/summarized client documents, send out retainer agreements and sign-up documents, set up liens, lien settlement, client intake, open claims with insurance companies, request medical records & billing, open Medi-Care/Medi-Cal claims, request DMV records, request traffic collision reports, draft demands, file organization and storage, ability to multi-task and handle high pressure deadlines, assisted in ordering and maintaining office supplies. Create new system to streamline operations.
Legal Assistant – Plaintiff Personal Injury
Lewis, Marenstein, Wicke, Sherwin & Lee
Woodland Hills, CA
01.2013 - 11.2016
- Assist with a caseload of more than 100 cases, take initial client call, communicate with attorneys and law offices, set up mediations and depositions, communicate with the courts and clerks, open insurance claims, handle property damage claims, request traffic collision reports, request medical records and billing, open Medi-Cal claims, DMV reports, handle ongoing/direct communication with clients, set up liens, lien settlement, file complaints, draft simple demands, draft pleadings, schedule meetings and conference calls, handle all case related mail/faxes/correspondence, data entry, keep daily log of activity, calendar hearings and meetings, scan documents, handle index and filing, scanning, gather and review client documents, send out retainer agreements and sign up documents, handle information in a sensitive and confidential manner, ability to multi-task, handle high pressure deadlines, handle case closing documents and storage of files.
Legal Assistant – Civil Litigation
Markun Zusman Freniere & Compton LLP
Pacific Palisades, CA
01.2011 - 01.2013
- Managed civil litigation and FINRA cases, drafted pleadings, set up depositions, handled client correspondence, corresponded with court clerks and opposing counsel, e-filed in Federal and State Courts, prepared complaints, assisted in preparing motions, Bates stamped, handled mass mailing, created mass mailing lists, redacted legal documents, drafted correspondence, prepared cases for arbitration, created arbitration binders, scheduled meetings, coordinated travel arrangements and purchased supplies, scanned, faxed, helped maintain a paperless environment, gathered/reviewed/summarized client documents, sent out retainer agreements and sign up documents, displayed ability to multi-task and handle high pressure deadlines, assisted in ordering and maintaining office supplies.
Legal Assistant/Paralegal – Family Law
Robert Ackermann, Law Office
Los Angeles, CA
01.2006 - 01.2011
- Set up and maintained client files, conducted client/witness interviews and drafted correspondence, headed Compromise of Arrear Program (COAP), interfaced with courts and child support services departments via phone, fax and mail, managed client billing and processed payments, filed court documents and served legal documents to involved parties, maintained inventory of office supplies and equipment, interviewed, tested, hired and trained support staff.
Office Manager/Legal Assistant – Plaintiff Personal Injury
Waterman & Harris
Los Angeles, CA
01.1999 - 01.2006
- Provided legal support to two attorneys, prepared legal documents such as pleadings, interrogatories, discovery documents and court filings, interviewed and supported clients, drafted correspondence, helped prepare for trials, scheduled appointments and meetings, sorted mail, performed data entry, managed client files, provided telephone reception, managed inventory of office supplies and equipment.
Education
Legal Secretary Certificate -
Beverly Hills Bar Association
12.2006
Skills
- E-filing State & Federal
- TOC/TOA
- Calendar Management
- Microsoft Word / Outlook / Excel
- Adobe / Bates Stamp
- Abacus
- Legal Software
- LexisNexis File and Serve
- Case Anywhere
- Dropbox
- DocuSign
- Zoom
- LA Court-Connect
- Professional Attitude
- Legal Case Management
- Civil Litigation
- Draft Basic Pleadings
- Strong Computer & Internet Skills
- Billing / Time Entry
- Discovery Shells
- Service of Documents
- Scheduling of Depos, Meetings, Mediations, Arbitrations, Court Proceedings
- Mediation/ Arbitration / Trial Prep
- Strong Verbal & Written Communication
- Scheduling Of Court Hearings
- Medical Records
- Draft Correspondence
- Draft Demands
- Set up/negotiate Liens
- Scanning
- Maintain & Organize Case Files
- Process Mail
- Copying
- Documents Management
- Travel Arrangements
- Maintain & Update Office Equipment
- Meet Deadlines
- Work Independently
- Understanding of legal terminology and procedures
- Proofreading and editing documents
- Sensitivity to confidentiality
Timeline
Civil Litigation/Legal Assistant/Office Manager
Esensten Law
11.2016 - Current
Legal Assistant – Plaintiff Personal Injury
Lewis, Marenstein, Wicke, Sherwin & Lee
01.2013 - 11.2016
Legal Assistant – Civil Litigation
Markun Zusman Freniere & Compton LLP
01.2011 - 01.2013
Legal Assistant/Paralegal – Family Law
Robert Ackermann, Law Office
01.2006 - 01.2011
Office Manager/Legal Assistant – Plaintiff Personal Injury
Waterman & Harris
01.1999 - 01.2006
Legal Secretary Certificate -
Beverly Hills Bar Association