Michelle N. Ledesma
Las Vegas,NV
Summary
Legal Assistant with over fifteen years of experience in all different types of law. Highly skilled at multitasking and prioritizing tasks to complete projects on time and determine appropriate courses of action.
Seasoned collaborator experienced in meeting needs, improving processes and exceeding requirements in team environments. Diligent worker with strong communication and task prioritization skills.
Detail-oriented team player with strong organizational skills. Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously with a high degree of accuracy.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Office Administrator
Wood, Smith, Henning & Berman, LLP
01.2021 - Current
- Maintained electronic and paper filing systems for easy retrieval of information.
- Coordinated communications, financial processing, registration, recordkeeping, and other administrative functions.
- Expedited invoice processing by accurately reviewing vendor submissions, reconciling accounts payable discrepancies, and conducting timely payments.
- Aided in employee onboarding through training new hires on office procedures, software applications, and company policies.
- Assisted in event planning efforts for company gatherings, conferences, or workshops to enhance employee engagement and networking opportunities.
- Improved workplace efficiency with the regular maintenance of office equipment and proactive troubleshooting of technical issues.
- Enhanced team collaboration with the establishment of clear communication channels and guidelines.
- Facilitated office productivity, coordinating personnel schedules, quality assurance and procedural improvements.
- Led regular staff meetings to address concerns, share information, and promote team unity.
- Coordinated schedules and managed calendars for multiple attorneys, ensuring optimal time management.
- Oversaw office renovations to create a professional workspace conducive to productivity and collaboration.
- Conducted legal research to support case preparation, providing valuable insights for strategic planning.
- Provided training for new hires on office procedures and software applications, fostering a knowledgeable workforce.
- Managed payroll processes accurately adhering to company policies while accommodating employees' needs.
- Trained attorneys and lawyers in use of legal information management systems and document organization.
- Shouldered administrative duties for legal staff such as scheduling, filing, responding to inquiries and answering phones.
- Managed complex schedules for attorneys and lawyers with court dates and client meetings.
- Coordinated office events, seminars and meetings for staff and clients.
- Completed bi-weekly payroll for sixteen employees.
Legal Assistant
Wood, Smith, Henning & Berman, LLP
09.2015 - 01.2021
- Maintained strict confidentiality, protecting sensitive client information as required by legal ethics and regulations.
- Handled office scheduling and made notes for deadlines, motions, and other important dates.
- Improved communication between attorneys and clients by scheduling meetings, providing status updates, and relaying critical information promptly.
- Completed electronic filings, initiated billing statements, and managed firm administrative matters.
- Increased client satisfaction by efficiently managing case files and promptly addressing inquiries.
- Managed high-volume workload while maintaining strict attention to detail on every task such as drafting pleadings or summarizing depositions accurately.
- Facilitated timely resolution of legal matters by preparing and organizing essential documents.
- Managed accounts and client records of clients, observing confidentiality, and extreme discretion.
- Drafted accurate and persuasive legal correspondence, contributing to successful negotiations and settlements.
- Supported attorneys in achieving favorable outcomes through thorough research and analysis of complex legal issues.
- Coordinated logistics for trials or hearings successfully such as booking travel accommodations for lawyers or witnesses while adhering to budget constraints.
- Contacted clients to schedule appointments and discuss progress of cases.
- Communicated pertinent information to clients via phone, email, and mail.
- Produced legal documents such as briefs, pleadings and appeals.
- Revised and finalized letters, briefs, and memos.
- Conducted background investigations on defendant.
- Assisted attorneys with reviewing and organizing witness reports.
Legal Administrative Assistant
Akerman, LLP
05.2015 - 09.2015
- Managed general clerical needs such as opening and closing files, scanning sheets and faxing documents.
- Prepared drafts of forms, letters and agreements for legal staff use.
- Supported multiple attorneys simultaneously by efficiently prioritizing tasks according to urgency or deadline requirements.
- Reduced attorney workload through proficient document management, handling correspondence, and performing clerical tasks.
- Scheduled and coordinated meetings between legal teams and clients.
- Streamlined legal processes by drafting and proofreading documents, ensuring accuracy and timely completion.
- Developed efficient filing systems for legal documents resulting in reduced retrieval times and increased productivity.
- Managed accounts and client records of clients, observing confidentiality, and extreme discretion.
- Prepared court forms accurately under the supervision of attorneys, ensuring compliance with local rules and regulations.
- Maintained organized client databases for streamlined communication efforts between attorneys'' offices and clients.
- Safeguarded confidential information with strict adherence to privacy policies and professional discretion.
Legal Assistant
Gordon Silver, Ltd.
01.2013 - 05.2015
- Enhanced attorney-client relationships through timely and accurate communication of case updates.
- Assisted in the preparation of intellectual property infringement analyses, contributing to successful litigation outcomes.
- Increased efficiency in docketing deadlines by implementing a reliable electronic tracking system.
- Supported attorneys in drafting and filing patent applications, ensuring compliance with USPTO regulations.
- Provided support in preparing licensing agreements, facilitating smooth transactions between parties involved.
- Organized and maintained client files, ensuring prompt access to vital information when needed.
- Managed a high volume of trademark filings and renewals, maintaining an organized database for easy reference.
Paralegal
Goldsmith & Guymon, P.C.
08.2009 - 01.2013
- Assisted counsel in preparing answers, providing documentation, and information for discovery request.
- Edited and proofread legal documents to verify accuracy.
- Liaised with other paralegals and legal staff to complete common tasks on schedule.
- Prepared legal briefs, motions, and pleadings.
- Boosted office productivity by maintaining an accurate calendar of appointments, deadlines, and court appearances.
- Helped attorneys prepare for trial by organizing exhibits and calling on witnesses to testify at hearings.
- Streamlined communication between clients and legal staff by managing client inquiries promptly and professionally.
- Summarized depositions, legal documents and other material to provide attorney with relevant material for cases.
- Managed complex cases efficiently using specialized software programs designed for paralegal work to track information related to multiple parties over long periods of time.
- Communicated pertinent information to clients via phone, email, and mail.
- Contacted clients to schedule appointments and discuss progress of cases.
- Revised and finalized letters, briefs, and memos.
- Interviewed clients to obtain information relevant to cases.
- Produced legal documents such as briefs, pleadings and appeals.
- Reviewed, edited and proofread litigation for proper grammar, spelling and punctuation.
- Researched statutes, decisions, legal articles, and codes.
Education
Associate of Applied Science - Paralegal Studies
College of Southern Nevada
Las Vegas, NV05.2017
Associate of Arts - Business Management With Human Resources Emphasis
College of Southern Nevada
Las Vegas, NV05.2017
Skills
- Office Administration
- Administrative Support
- Database entry
- Time Management
- Office Management
- File Organization
- Document Management
- Leadership and supervision
- Scheduling
- File Maintenance
- Payroll
- Calendar Management
- Report Preparation
- Word Processing
- Payroll Administration
- Business Administration
- Inventory Management
- Expense Reporting
- Event Coordination
- Staff Management
- Operations Management
- Project Management
- Human Resources
- Strategic Planning
- Ethics and Professionalism
- Court filings
- Microsoft Office
- Legal Research
- Legal Drafting
- Document Review
- Discovery Management
- Proofreading
- Litigation Support
- Corporate Law
- Deposition Preparation
- Probate Administration
- Client Communication
- Legal Document Preparation
- Writing and editing
- Legal writing
- Task Prioritization
- Client service and support
- Notary Public
- Document Editing
- Case Management
- Civil Law
- Legal Terminology
- Court reporting
- Attention to Detail
- Problem-solving abilities
- Multitasking Abilities
Notary Public
Notary Public expires January 24, 2027
Timeline
Office Administrator
Wood, Smith, Henning & Berman, LLP
01.2021 - Current
Legal Assistant
Wood, Smith, Henning & Berman, LLP
09.2015 - 01.2021
Legal Administrative Assistant
Akerman, LLP
05.2015 - 09.2015
Legal Assistant
Gordon Silver, Ltd.
01.2013 - 05.2015
Paralegal
Goldsmith & Guymon, P.C.
08.2009 - 01.2013
Associate of Applied Science - Paralegal Studies
College of Southern Nevada
Associate of Arts - Business Management With Human Resources Emphasis
College of Southern Nevada
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