Donna Marie Zedler
Paralegal/Legal Assistant
Kennesaw,Georgia
Summary
I am a Paralegal Certificate Program graduate, Kennesaw State University 2024. Seeking a career growth opportunity in the Legal field. Currently working as a Legal Assistant in a Probate/Estate Planning/Elder Law practice.
I previously worked as a manager with 12 years of successful leadership experience. I have excellent writing and communication skills, and I enjoy public speaking.
My goal is a fulfilling career combining my commitments to integrity and passion for customer relations with serving organizational goals in a legal environment.
I enjoy promoting customer satisfaction and building client relationships, applying my personal expertise and diligent attention to individuals’ needs. I communicate well at all levels of my organization and am responsive to teammates’ needs.
My knowledge bases include building and maintaining a CRM, MS Office, calendaring, time billing, data entry and marketing. I am proficient in drafting pleadings and correspondence, filing with courts and keeping up with deadlines, and using PeachCourt and other court-specific systems for E-filing. I am a notary public in Cobb County.
I am a dedicated and self-motivated relationship-builder with excellent organizational strengths, time management skills, and a superior work ethic.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
7
7
years of post-secondary education
2
2
Languages
Work History
Client Services Director
The Ammari Firm, LLC
2023.07 - Current
- Assisted clients throughout the life cycle of Probate, Estate Planning, Guardianship, and Special Needs Planning cases.
- Filed pleadings with Georgia courts via mail, in clerks’ offices, and using PeachCourt.
- Planned informational speaking events for potential clients in the community. Managed incoming attendees and sales follow-up.
- Prepared petitions for various probate court matters. Filed deeds with county assessors offices using GSCCA websites.
- Managed a busy law office and spearheaded marketing initiatives.
- Implemented new CRM technology to manage the life cycle of incoming prospects. Used the technology to produce reports for marketing and business planning. Managed payment software and reconciled billing to clients' cases.
- Enhanced client satisfaction by implementing personalized service strategies and maintaining relationships.
- Built client relationships by proactively addressing concerns and implementing targeted retention initiatives.
- Leveraged data-driven insights to inform tactical decision-making, leading to better outcomes for both the firm and its clients.
- Facilitated seamless transitions during periods of change management or organizational restructuring while minimizing disruption for stakeholders.
- Streamlined internal processes for increased efficiency, resulting in improved response times to client inquiries.
- Negotiated favorable contract terms with suppliers and vendors that resulted in cost savings without compromising service quality.
- Elevated brand reputation through exceptional communication skills, building trust with clients while fostering ongoing loyalty towards the organization.
Assistant Bakery Manager/Bakery Manager
Publix Super Markets, Inc
Kennesaw, GA
2012.04 - 2023.07
- Responsible for daily management and production needs of retail bakery.
- Upheld company quality standards and maintained critical control points for safety.
- Accountable for departmental sales and growth performance, merchandising, forecasting and planning.
- Responsible for managing a team of up to 12 direct reports operating in various roles.
- Interviewed, hired, scheduled, and executed semi-annual reviews for employees.
- Resolved employee concerns, facilitating teamwork and cooperation.
- Engaged customers with professionalism and a service-oriented demeanor.
- Acted as AIC: Assistant in Charge, of Publix location in absence of store management.
- Monitored inventory levels and identified opportunities for cost savings.
Middle School Social Studies/Language Arts Teacher
Paulding County Schools
2021.07 - 2021.12
- Instructed 6 classes of up to 35 students each on principles and strategies of Social Studies, Language Arts, and remedial Reading.
- Evaluated academic skills of each student through verbal assessments, graded assignments and standardized tests.
- Cultivated relationships with parents, building a complete support network.
- Utilized multimedia strategies and technology to convey information in fresh and interesting ways.
- Completed in-service and additional training to maintain professional growth.
- Prepared and implemented lesson plans covering required course topics.
- Integrated Smartboard, virtual learning, 1 to 1 technology, and other instructional methodologies into the classroom.
Baker and Decorator
Publix Super Markets, Inc
2018.12 - 2021.07
- Followed company quality standards and maintained critical control points for safety.
- Served on Safety and AVS teams
- Acted in Assistant Manager's place as needed by processing orders, transfers, counts, and receiving trucks.
District Meals Specialist
Publix Super Markets, Inc
2011.08 - 2012.04
- Responsible for management of 11 stores' Aprons Simple Meals operations.
- Reported sales, rebate, and cook cycle results directly to District Manager
- Rained new associates, performed monthly focus visits to stores
- Participated in store openings and customer-focused events.
- Communicated goals and operational details with Assistant Store Managers.
Cashier/Meals Clerk
Publix Super Markets, Inc
2011.01 - 2011.08
- Led Associate Voice Survey Team.
School Bus Driver
Special Needs, Fulton County Schools
2010.10 - 2011.08
- Completed Fulton County Schools’ training and State of Georgia Department of Drivers’ Services testing.
- Completed Special Needs privacy, driver and medical certifications.
Preschool Teacher
Regina Caeli Academy
2007.01 - 2009.01
- Co-taught class of 18 preschoolers, three days a week.
- Created curricula, projects, and lesson plans based on school standards.
Homeschool Teacher
Caseiro Homeschool
Roswell, GA
1996.09 - 2010.11
- Taught six children in a home educational environment.
- Utilized various curricula and educational software to plan lessons and guide students' progress.
- Maintained required records with state educational authorities.
Warranty Administrator
Keyes Isuzu
1994.01 - 1996.01
- Isuzu Motors-trained Service Advisor.
- Processed, analyzed, filed and appealed Isuzu Motors warranty claims.
- Completed associated accounting tasks, including updating vehicle inventory and managing accounts receivable.
- Maintained files; performed service advisor, receptionist, and cashiering duties.
Administrative Assistant/Office Manager
Tri-Point Engineering
1992.01 - 1994.01
- Performed service advisor and general office functions.
- Processed payroll and State/Federal Payroll tax forms, oversaw HR and Employee Benefits management.
- Managed accounts receivable, payable and the company checkbook, originated orders, managed banking duties
- Drafted proposals and appeals to SCCA racing industry rules boards, created sales documents for aftermarket automotive racing parts market.
Traffic Court Clerk
Malibu Municipal Court
1992.01 - 1994.01
- Processed traffic citations, collected fines, referred offenders to traffic schools and assessed completions.
- Performed as counter clerk: routed paperwork and offenders to and from courtroom, managed files through to resolution of case
- Responsible for cash handling, filing and document management.
Education
Paralegal Certification - Legal Studies
Kennesaw State University
Kennesaw, GA 2022.01 - 2024.12
Master of Arts - IS: Executive Leadership And Education
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA 2020.01 - 2022.08
Bachelor of Science - History, Creative Writing
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA 2018.01 - 2019.05
Skills
Paralegal skills involving Probate matters
Client relations/intake
Pleadings
Notary Public
Correspondence
Conversant in Spanish
Seminar and presentation planning
CRM implementation/management
MS Office
Timeline
Client Services Director
The Ammari Firm, LLC
2023.07 - Current
Paralegal Certification - Legal Studies
Kennesaw State University
2022.01 - 2024.12
Middle School Social Studies/Language Arts Teacher
Paulding County Schools
2021.07 - 2021.12
Master of Arts - IS: Executive Leadership And Education
Liberty University
2020.01 - 2022.08
Baker and Decorator
Publix Super Markets, Inc
2018.12 - 2021.07
Bachelor of Science - History, Creative Writing
Liberty University
2018.01 - 2019.05
Assistant Bakery Manager/Bakery Manager
Publix Super Markets, Inc
2012.04 - 2023.07
District Meals Specialist
Publix Super Markets, Inc
2011.08 - 2012.04
Cashier/Meals Clerk
Publix Super Markets, Inc
2011.01 - 2011.08
School Bus Driver
Special Needs, Fulton County Schools
2010.10 - 2011.08
Preschool Teacher
Regina Caeli Academy
2007.01 - 2009.01
Homeschool Teacher
Caseiro Homeschool
1996.09 - 2010.11
Warranty Administrator
Keyes Isuzu
1994.01 - 1996.01
Administrative Assistant/Office Manager
Tri-Point Engineering
1992.01 - 1994.01
Traffic Court Clerk
Malibu Municipal Court
1992.01 - 1994.01