Natalie Hager
Princeton,WV
Summary
Ambitious, highly motivated and reliable Public Defender with desire to take on new challenges. Strong work ethic, adaptability and exceptional interpersonal skills, in addition to eight years of experience in the Public Defender office, over eight years in a private law office, and two years as a Judicial Law Clerk. Exceptionally experienced in working in an organized, time-efficient manner with a wide variety of legal tasks and maintaining excellent interpersonal skills with clients, co-workers, magistrates, judges, and opposing counsel.
Overview
1
1
Certification
Work History
Assistant Public Defender
Public Defender Corporation for 9th Judicial Circu
Princeton Junction, West Virginia
02/29/16 - Current
- Conducted legal research and drafted motions, pleadings, briefs and memoranda of law.
- Drafted discovery requests to obtain evidence from opposing counsels.
- Provided advice to clients on criminal matters and rights under the law.
- Advocated for clients in court proceedings by making oral arguments before judges.
- Represented clients at pre-trial conferences, arraignments, hearings and trials.
- Interviewed witnesses to obtain information relevant to cases.
- Prepared documents for filing with various courts and agencies.
- Collaborated with prosecutors in plea negotiations and settlement discussions.
- Attended meetings with clients to discuss their legal issues and develop strategies for resolving them.
- Investigated client backgrounds, including interviewing family members and other contacts for mitigating factors in sentencing.
- Analyzed evidence obtained through discovery requests or other sources to prepare defenses against charges filed against clients.
- Evaluated potential witnesses prior to trial or hearing appearances.
- Negotiated plea agreements with prosecutors on behalf of defendants.
- Assessed the merits of cases based upon legal precedents, statutes, regulations and case law.
- Maintained a caseload of approximately 50-100 active files while managing multiple deadlines.
- Advised clients regarding options available under the law such as diversion programs or alternative sentences.
- Coordinated witness testimony during trials or hearings by preparing direct examination questions.
- Participated in continuing education courses related to criminal defense practice areas.
- Researched applicable laws and regulations related to criminal defense cases.
- Reviewed police reports for accuracy and completeness prior to trial appearances.
- Represented clients before court in oral debate by constructing favorable and truthful narrative around presented evidence and facts.
- Communicated with clients to help each understand legal issues and offered insight and advice.
- Presented court cases to jurors and judges.
- Managed successful voir dire processes to optimize jury selection.
Associate Attorney
Harvey and Janutolo Law Offices
Bluefield, West Virginia
07/22/07 - 02/16/16
- Conducted research and analyzed case law for use in litigation proceedings.
- Reviewed and edited legal documents, pleadings, motions, briefs, contracts, and other legal documents.
- Drafted complaints, motions, and other court filings.
- Prepared opinions on various issues of law based on research conducted.
- Assisted senior attorneys with trial preparation activities such as witness interviews and deposition practice sessions.
- Filed appeals with appellate courts when necessary.
- Developed strategies for cases that are pending or anticipated to be filed in court.
- Counseled clients on their rights under the applicable laws.
- Researched statutes, regulations, ordinances, judicial decisions, and other sources of law relevant to specific cases or issues.
- Met with opposing counsel to discuss settlement options or negotiate agreements.
- Participated in client meetings to obtain information pertinent to the case or issue being handled.
- Drafted memorandums summarizing case facts and outlining potential courses of action.
- Prepared closing arguments for trials before judges or juries.
- Specialized in abuse and neglect and social security disability.
- Prepared persuasive legal memoranda, motions and briefs synthesizing facts, evidence and legal authorities.
- Argued clearly, logically and persuasively in written and oral form.
- Interpreted recent court opinions and current legal research to remain current with developments.
- Administered complex civil or criminal litigation in trial and appellate courts.
- Executed high-level analysis of facts, evidence and legal authorities in connection with post-conviction litigation.
- Interviewed clients and witnesses to acquire additional insight into case details.
- Presented court cases to jurors and judges.
- Evaluated findings and developed strategies and arguments in preparation for presentation of cases.
- Conducted thorough interviews of prospective jurors as part of voir dire process to assess for competency and biases, making for-cause challenges to dismiss unfit candidates.
- Managed successful voir dire processes to optimize jury selection.
Judicial Law Clerk for Honorable Booker Stephens
West Virginia Supreme Court Of Appeals
Welch, West Virginia
08/22/05 - 06/07/07
- Reviewed and analyzed motions, memoranda of law, pleadings, affidavits, briefs and other legal documents.
- Conducted legal research in both electronic and hard copy formats.
- Assisted with the drafting and editing of opinions for judicial review.
- Prepared reports summarizing findings from legal research projects.
- Attended court proceedings to observe trial procedures and practices.
- Organized and maintained files for current cases under review by the judge.
- Collaborated with clerks, paralegals, attorneys, witnesses, court personnel, clients and other stakeholders as necessary to complete tasks.
- Drafted orders based upon rulings issued by the presiding judge or magistrate.
- Researched state statutes and case law to provide accurate references for judges' decisions.
- Developed effective working relationships with members of the judiciary staff.
- Oversaw jury selection processes by reviewing questionnaires submitted by prospective jurors.
- Participated in settlement conferences between opposing counsels when requested by a judge.
- Compiled evidence from various sources into a cohesive document for review by a judge prior to trial.
- Analyzed complex facts presented at trial to ensure compliance with applicable laws or regulations.
- Assisted in preparing proposed judgments or decrees following completion of a trial or hearing.
- Monitored post-trial activities such as appeals or motion for reconsideration requests filed against judgments rendered in court proceedings.
- Proofread judge's orders and opinions for accuracy.
- Attended meetings and pre-trial hearings to document official judicial information.
Education
J.D. - Law
West Virginia College of Law
Morgantown, West Virginia05-2005
Bachelor of Science - Health Science, Pre-Medicine Concentration
Walla Walla College
Walla Walla, WA06-2000
Skills
- Legal Research
- Case Management
- Legal writing
- Client Counseling
- Public speaking skills
- Presentation Skills
- Client Advocacy
- Client Confidentiality
- Creative and Critical Thinking
- Organization and Administration
- Legal Interpretation and Adaptation
- Case Law and Outcome Analysis
- Westlaw
- Legal Document Preparation
- Judgement and Decision Making
- Discovery and Document Review
- Client Representation and Advisement
- Establishing Effective Relationships
- Litigation Experience
- Legal Research and Review
- Legal Case Management
- Presenting Evidence
- Policy Knowledge
- Hearings and Depositions
- Active Listening
- Criminal Investigations
- Building Trust and Relationships
- Task Prioritization
- Interpersonal Skills
- Self Motivation
- Team building
- Team Collaboration
- Problem-Solving
- Goal Setting
- Collaboration and Teamwork
- Interpersonal Communication
- Reliability
- Effective Communication
- Criminal Law
- Written Communication
- Client Representation
- Professionalism
- Strategic Planning
- Time management abilities
- Staff Supervision
- Investigation skills
- Oral argument
- Filling Appeals
- Legal Brief Preparation
Affiliations
- Spending time with son and mother
- Gardening
- Singing
- Zumba
- Weight Lifting
- Reading
- Photography
- Drawing
- Pets
Languages
English
Full Professional
Russian
Native/ Bilingual
Ukrainian
Native/ Bilingual
Accomplishments
Janutolo
- At WVU College of Law, participated in the MOOT Court program and competed in the Dominik Gabrieli Family Law Appellate Competition in Albany, New York in February, 2005.
Certification
- Attorney at Law License to practice law in the State of West Virginia earned October 6, 2005.
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Assistant Public Defender
Public Defender Corporation for 9th Judicial Circu
02/29/16 - Current
Associate Attorney
Harvey and Janutolo Law Offices
07/22/07 - 02/16/16
Judicial Law Clerk for Honorable Booker Stephens
West Virginia Supreme Court Of Appeals
08/22/05 - 06/07/07
J.D. - Law
West Virginia College of Law
Bachelor of Science - Health Science, Pre-Medicine Concentration
Walla Walla College
- Attorney at Law License to practice law in the State of West Virginia earned October 6, 2005.
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