Paula Bell
River Oaks
Summary
Knowledgeable and haves a solid background in legal support and document management. Demonstrated success in assisting attorneys with case preparation. Proven ability to manage caseloads and maintain confidentiality while compiling comprehensive legal documentation.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Legal Assistant - Mental Health Division
Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney’s Office
Fort Worth, TX
09.2023 - Current
- As a Legal Assistant, I rotated monthly with 2 other individuals to monitor, control, and assign submissions into the Civil Mental Health Division from the surrounding hospitals and facilities for Orders for Protective Custody concerning potential mental health patients.
- I received daily Submission Lists and compared lists to the actual submissions from the facilities, which were emailed to our office for processing. Assigned cases for processing to two other Legal Assistants plus myself for processing.
- I reviewed documents to determine if the information offered and submitted was timely, verifying Detention Warrants were still considered viable, and/or if patient was voluntary, or being recommended for Involuntary Commitment by treating physician. Also, reviewed for Guardian issues or any individual considered a minor, making sure to note an email from MHMR was attached approving submittal of paperwork for facilities to request an Order for Protective Custody. I reviewed documents such as the Statement of Fact, Application for Mental Health Services and Certification of Medical Examination, and other attached documents.
- I also processed Jail Medication Applications for Orders for Forensic Medication administration and processed Civil Extended and Temporary commitments from Wichita Falls State Hospital and other overflow facilities. I verified if there was a Restoration of Competency Order attached to the documentation to ascertain if dates were within time-frame of Order. After determining all necessary documentation was correct, corrections needed; packets were then dropped into the paperless file on the computer for Probate Clerks to file with the Court.
- Once notification of case numbers were received from the Clerks office, all packets with correct and signed Orders were disseminated to the Ad Litem assigned to the case and the Assistant District Attorneys (ADA's) and facilities initiating the OPC.
- Logged cases onto the Excel stats sheet on a daily basis.
- Worked with the ADA's for both Civil and Criminal cases for any related issues or questions.
- Noted Probable Cause hearings and Commitment hearings on case sheets and managed the movement of cases through the process by reviewing dockets. Printed dockets to verify proper case sheets were maintained for continuation of the case process or disposed. Either pulling cases dropped by the facility during the process, or notating committed patients on the tracking sheet.
- In 2025, 5000 civil cases were entered into stats for the Civil Division of Mental Health.
Legal Secretary
Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney’s Office
Fort Worth, TX
06.2020 - 09.2023
- As a Legal Secretary, I was responsible for reviewing cases filed. Answering phone calls from Injured Parties and Defense Attorneys
- Updating the TechShare system with pertinent notes in Case Notes and uploaded Digital Media into the case
- Promulgated Statement’s of Fact once the cases were disposed and emailed to sheriff’s office. Created weekly Excell spreadsheets consisting of newly indicted cases
- E-filed Motions and Orders with Tarrant County District Clerk’s office.
- Kept Chief updated with incoming information
- Advised Supervisor of any out of the ordinary circumstances
- Maintaining communication with peers regarding necessary information regarding events in the office
Litigation Assistant (temp)
Linebarger, Goggan, Blair, and Sampson
Fort Worth, TX
08.2018 - 03.2019
- As a Litigation Assistant, I was responsible for reviewing cases filed by the firm which represented the City of Fort Worth delinquent tax cases to ascertain location in the process of litigation
- Reviewed ORACLE and compared the information with the Fort Worth City Tax Office data base to make sure all information was current.
- Responsible for filing documents electronically at the District Clerk’s office. Documents included; Answers, Motions, Declarations and any other miscellaneous documents
- Mailed letters and Warrants to County Constable’s offices for service after researching addresses and locations of residents via numerous databases used by the firm
Legal Assistant
Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons
Fort Worth, TX
03.1996 - 12.2017
- Positions as Legal Instrument Examiner and Legal Assistant entailed thorough knowledge of policy and regulations regarding the Release of Information of Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act requests
- Maintained a log regarding the 20-day response time and the sensitivity of the data and the applications of the Federal Regulations and statutes for exemptions for withholding sensitive information
- Composed memorandums and letters for the Attorney, Associate Warden, and Warden’s signature
- Coordinated Mental Health Commitment Hearings held at the institution and acted as the Liaison between the Assistant United States Attorney’s office and the Federal Bureau of Prisons Attorney
- Coordinated depositions at the institution to include, but not limited to Habeas Corpus litigation filed by the inmates against the United States
- Compiled discovery for litigation
- Assisted the Assistant United States Attorney’s Office with compiling Interrogatories for litigation and potential trial
- Processed, assigned and entered into SENTRY (main computer system for inmate tracking information) formal inmate grievances (Administrative Remedies) for investigation by the Administration for response and tracking for closure
- Processed, tracked and investigated medical and non-medical administrative tort claims filed by inmates
- Reviewed the investigations assuring policy was followed and reviewed grammar and punctuation
- Monitored deadlines and court dates, facilitating timely submissions and compliance with regulations.
- Conducted thorough reviews of legal documents to ensure adherence to procedural guidelines.
- Collaborated with law enforcement agencies to gather information pertinent to ongoing investigations.
- 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.
Unit Secretary
FMC Carswell
01.2001 - 01.2007
- Position as Unit Secretary required secretarial skills such as typing, organizational skills, communication with staff and inmates; filing; correspondence, and maintaining Unit Manager’s schedule and assisting unit team, if needed
- Kept time and attendance files for 21 people
Education
No Degree - Licensed Vocational Nursing
John Peter Smith School of Vocational Nursing
Fort Worth, TX09-1995
Skills
- Fast learner
- File organization
- Scheduling/Planning; Calendar management
- Legal document preparation
- Client communication
- Administrative support
- Interviewing clients
- Document drafting
- Legal Terminology and Writing
- Proofreading and Editing
- Task prioritization - case management
- Office management
- Telephone etiquette
- Correspondence
- Document editing
- Database management
- Ethics and Legal compliance
- Relationship building
- Criminal/Civil Mental Health law
- Cross-functional communication
- Daily docket reports
- Administrative assistance
- Order and request filing
- Multi-line switchboard
- Confidentiality
- Critical thinking
- Document organization
- Effective multitasking
- Workload management
- Good judgment and decision making
- Work prioritization
- Deadline monitoring
- Legal correspondence
- Legal and court processes
- Case summaries
- Conflict resolution
Timeline
Legal Assistant - Mental Health Division
Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney’s Office
09.2023 - Current
Legal Secretary
Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney’s Office
06.2020 - 09.2023
Litigation Assistant (temp)
Linebarger, Goggan, Blair, and Sampson
08.2018 - 03.2019
Unit Secretary
FMC Carswell
01.2001 - 01.2007
Legal Assistant
Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons
03.1996 - 12.2017
No Degree - Licensed Vocational Nursing
John Peter Smith School of Vocational Nursing