Nikki Drasal-Shipley
Nottingham,MD
Summary
Honorably discharged Army veteran who is an experienced paraprofessional with 11 years of Plaintiff's law firm operations and case management. Driven Paralegal with effective communication skills that contribute to the building of collaborative relationships to benefit company objectives. Strategic analytical person with ability to work across all levels of organization. Dedicated and ambitious leader with the ability to deliver effective case management and resolution outcomes. Interested in collaborating closely with experienced attorneys to gain further legal knowledge and contribute to the success of a dynamic law firm.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Settlement Paralegal
Mark A. Epstein
11.2022 - 10.2023
- Managed high volume of calls per day
- Specialized in personal injury, DUI/Traffic/Criminal proceedings.
- Managed high-volume caseloads effectively by creating organized systems for prioritizing tasks.
- Coordinated settlements, settlement statements, and settlement disbursements.
- Negotiated lien reductions on all client cases to enhance client net settlement proceeds.
- Implemented new office policies and procedures
- Streamlined communication between clients and legal staff by managing client inquiries promptly and professionally.
- Prepared settlement proposals and agreements to help attorneys negotiate settlement in best interest of client.
- Aided settlement negotiations with effective summary reports outlining key points from discovery materials for use during mediation sessions or pretrial settlement talks.
- Contributed to firm-client relationship building through professional interactions with clients during meetings or phone calls, conveying empathy while maintaining confidentiality.
- Edited and proofread legal documents and settlement demands to verify accuracy.
- Reviewed and finalized 8 years worth of accumulated excess escrow account case files (300+).
- Conducted review of voluminous firm case load of 1000 through understaffing period to ensure productivity of firm and effective case management.
- Compiled statute of limitation reports.
- Reviewed case files in preparation for settlement negotiations.
- Reviewed medical and billing records and prepared medical chronologies.
- Created paralegal training binder for all phases of case management.
- Reviewed settlement demands and litigation cases for effective negotiations and closing procedures.
- Implemented extreme client case success and client representation.
- Assisted counsel in preparing answers, providing documentation, and information for discovery request.
- Edited and proofread legal documents to verify accuracy.
- Fostered positive work environment by contributing to collaborative atmosphere among colleagues and providing mentorship to paralegals.
- Aided in office managerial duties.
- Managed scheduling of court and settlement calendars and deadlines to maintain smooth flow of firm operations.
Litigation Paralegal
The Law Offices of Charles Balint
01.2021 - 11.2022
- Specialized in Personal Injury/Workers' Compensation/Bankruptcy/Estate Administration/ DUI/Traffic/Criminal cases.
- Prepared, indexed and developed exhibits.
- Conducted background investigations on defendant.
- Interviewed clients to obtain information relevant to cases.
- Implemented new office policies and procedures.
- Streamlined communication between clients and legal staff by managing client inquiries promptly and professionally.
- Prepared settlement proposals and agreements to help attorneys negotiate settlement in best interest of client.
- Reviewed medical and billing records and prepared medical chronologies.
- Implemented extreme client case success and client representation.
- Reduced attorney workload by drafting routine legal documents such as pleadings, motions, answers and affidavits.
- Prepared estate petitions and inventory summaries/final accounting
- Drafted and finalized Wills
- Prepared Bankruptcy Petitions and coordinated all Bankruptcy proceedings.
- Ensured accurate record-keeping by maintaining up-to-date case files, both physical and electronic formats.
- Assisted in obtaining key evidence through subpoenaing records from various sources such as financial institutions or medical providers.
- Supported attorney during trial proceedings, ensuring availability of key exhibits and witnesses when needed.
- Drafted clear and concise correspondence on behalf of attorneys to clients, opposing counsel, and court personnel.
- Organized evidence, exhibits, motions, and subpoenas to support cases and prepare for trial.
- Drafted pleadings, motions, and briefs in compliance with court rules, leading to successful outcomes in numerous cases.
- Maintained client satisfaction by providing regular updates on case progress and addressing concerns promptly.
- Completed electronic court filings at state and federal levels.
- Maintained litigation database and document organization for personal injury, workers' compensation, estate, criminal, traffic and bankruptcy c cases.
- Assisted in securing favorable settlements for clients by drafting persuasive settlement proposals and negotiating terms.
- Collaborated closely with attorney to develop case strategies that aligned with client objectives, resulting in positive outcomes for clients.
- Increased case efficiency by streamlining document management and organization processes.
- Ensured compliance with court rules and procedures by accurately preparing and submitting legal filings within established timeframes.
Pre-Litigation Paralegal
Joseph, Greenwald & Laake.
07.2017 - 02.2019
- Managed high volume of backlogged cases ready for settlement demands
- Processed client intakes
- Pre-screened potential new cases
- Processed PIP/Med-pay claims
- Monitored client treatment
- Collected, reviewed, and maintained maintenance of medical records and bills
- Obtained and organized documentation required at different stages of case
- Summarized medical records/created medical chronologies
- Maintained client satisfaction by providing regular updates on case progress and addressing concerns promptly.
- Assisted in securing favorable settlements for clients by drafting persuasive settlement proposals and negotiating terms.
- Used excel spreadsheets to track data and calculate information such as potential damages.
- Prepared case files for litigation phase
- Collaborated with attorneys to develop strategies for each case.
- Communicated pertinent information to clients via phone, email, and mail.
- Interviewed clients to obtain information relevant to cases.
- Assisted attorneys with reviewing and organizing witness reports.
Paralegal
Reinhardt, Harper, Davis, P.C.
08.2016 - 05.2017
- Managed case volume of 65 plus clients
- Accumulated large settlement volume within first year
- Prepared routine correspondence, pleadings, discovery documents, reports, settlement demands, and other documents
- Maintained paper and electronic files
- Assisted in attorney research and case strategies
- Drafted and filed claim for benefits, amended claims, various motions, and request for reviews
- Assisted in client medical treatment, file management, and judicial compliance
- Performed new client telephone screening and initial client interviews
- Finalized client settlements
- Prepared medical record reviews and summaries
- Arranged and scheduled depositions, hearings, issue mediations and full and final mediations
- Implemented and maintained case management system
- Conducted detailed client intakes and entered information into company database.
- Collaborated with attorneys to develop strategies for each case.
Senior Workers' Compensation Paralegal
The Powell Law Group, P.C.
06.2015 - 08.2016
- Managed case volume of 100 plus clients
- Case and document management
- Implemented policies and procedures
- Organized worker's compensation practices with assistant counsel
- Developed organizational strategies
- Performed extensive legal research
- Issuing legal documents and correspondence
- Prepare routine correspondence, pleadings, discovery documents, reports, settlement demands, and other documents
- Maintained files and attorney calendar
- Compiled medical record reviews and summaries
- Arranged and scheduled depositions, hearings, issue mediations and full and final mediations
- Implemented and maintained case management system and case organizer list.
- Created client case management spreadsheets
- Created client case correspondence
- Liaised with other paralegals and legal staff to complete common tasks on schedule.
- Conferred with clients and other involved parties to gather and track case information.
- Communicated pertinent information to clients via phone, email, and mail.
- Contacted clients to schedule appointments and discuss progress of cases.
- Prepared permanency and full and final settlement demands.
Litigation Paralegal
Tate Law Group, LLC
01.2011 - 01.2013
- Managed approximately 65 cases
- Specialized in personal injury, medical malpractice, complex litigation, and pharmaceutical litigation
- Composed legal pleadings throughout litigation process
- Categorized documents by subject matter, prepared chronology of facts, created production charts
- Prepared witness and interview materials
- Supervised and maintained client case management
- Performed client intake procedures
- Compiled settlement demands for negotiation procedures
- Prepared legal memoranda and client correspondence
- Electronic federal E-Filing in U.S. District Courts
- Communicated with clients, witnesses, and court personnel
- Prepared deposition summaries
- Gathered and managed large amounts of data to assist attorneys in better quality work.
- Performed document review on mass tort litigation cases
- Assisted attorneys in preparing and drafting answers to motions for summary judgment
- Increased case efficiency by streamlining document management and organization processes.
- Supported attorneys during trial proceedings, ensuring availability of key exhibits and witnesses when needed.
- Drafted clear and concise correspondence on behalf of attorneys to clients, opposing counsel, and court personnel.
- Organized evidence, exhibits, motions, and subpoenas to support cases and prepare for trial.
- Drafted pleadings, motions, and briefs in compliance with court rules, leading to successful outcomes in numerous cases.
- Used document review tools to discover and inspect records.
- Implemented best practices in managing large volumes of documents during complex litigations.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of legal developments by participating in continuing education programs and industry events.
- Managed high-volume caseloads effectively by creating organized systems for tracking deadlines and prioritizing tasks.
Senior Paralegal, Settlement and Litigation
The Eichholz Law Firm, P.C.
06.2008 - 01.2011
- Prepared last will and testaments and power of attorneys
- Prepared Bankruptcy petitions and pleadings
- Implemented new office policies and procedures
- Supervised/trained paralegal, legal assistants, receptionist, and new attorneys
- Specialized in personal injury, workers compensation, medical malpractice, estate administration, mass tort, and pharmaceutical areas
- Knowledge-based in settlement approval through bankruptcy and minor settlement proceedings
- Prepared Quit Claim Deeds
- Managed personal injury caseload of 150-400
- Coordinated settlements, settlement statements, and settlement disbursements to client
- Negotiated settlement demands alongside attorney
- Obtained client negotiation authority
- Reported directly to three attorneys with broad ranged responsibilities that encompass timely and complex preparation of cases
- Performed computerized law library research
- Firm calendar management
- Provided litigation support
- Excelled in case intake and case management processes
- Processed estate administration for settlement in pharmaceutical cases
- Interviewed witnesses and prepared witness declarations
- Handled research of state statutes and municipal codes to support client cases
- Compiled weekly and monthly intake and case reports
- Performed bookkeeper responsibilities and duties
- Designed trainee manuals
- Reviewed all medical records and prepared medical chronologies
- Prepared demand packages to include writing demand letters
- Prepared closing statements and processed disbursements.
- Trained new employees on company policies and legal standards.
- Improved client relationships through clear communication and prompt response to inquiries.
Education
Paralegal Certificate- Pending -
Anne Arundel Community College
Arnold, MD12.2024
Diploma - Private Investigation
Ashworth College Norcross
Georgia, Remote12.2022
Associate of Science - Criminal Justice
Troy University
Troy. Alabama12.2007
Skills
- Certified Notary Public
- Strong Organization
- Self-motivated
- Great attention to detail
- Negotiation
- Client Support
- Effective Multitasking
- Legal jargon knowledge
- Legal Research and Document Management
- Legal Correspondence and Legal Document Preparation
- Proficient in MS Office/Adobe
- Client Communication and Relationship Management
- Litigation Support
- Conflict Resolution
- Employee Training
Certification
- Certified Notary Public
Military Service
Army, United States, Private First Class, 2005-09-01, 2006-10-31
Awards
- Dean's List, 2006, Troy University
- Dean's List, 2007, Troy University
- Dean's List, 2022, Anne Arundel Community College
- Dean's List, 2023, Anne Arundel Community College
- Honors Society, 2006, Troy University
- Honors Society, 2022, Anne Arundel Community College
- Honors Society, 2023, Anne Arundel Community College
Publications
Untitled, http://www.poetry.com, 2006, Nikki Drasal Shipley
Timeline
Senior Settlement Paralegal
Mark A. Epstein
11.2022 - 10.2023
Litigation Paralegal
The Law Offices of Charles Balint
01.2021 - 11.2022
Pre-Litigation Paralegal
Joseph, Greenwald & Laake.
07.2017 - 02.2019
Paralegal
Reinhardt, Harper, Davis, P.C.
08.2016 - 05.2017
Senior Workers' Compensation Paralegal
The Powell Law Group, P.C.
06.2015 - 08.2016
Litigation Paralegal
Tate Law Group, LLC
01.2011 - 01.2013
Senior Paralegal, Settlement and Litigation
The Eichholz Law Firm, P.C.
06.2008 - 01.2011
Paralegal Certificate- Pending -
Anne Arundel Community College
Diploma - Private Investigation
Ashworth College Norcross
Associate of Science - Criminal Justice
Troy University
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