Rachel Morgan
Clementon,NJ
Summary
A professional Litigation Paralegal that is client focused with an ability to build strong relationships with witnesses, government agencies, medical providers, experts, opposing counsel and insurance company representatives involved in clients' cases. Initiate case litigation, requesting necessary information such as all reports, records, insurance information, fact witness' information by way of correspondence and signed releases. Possess advanced research and analytical skills that are required for case organization, maintaining case materials, organizing and reviewing records, preparing chronological arbitration and deposition summaries, form interrogatories, propounding and responding to supplemental interrogatories, requests for admissions and documents. Proficient in database management, electronic filing and litigation software. Familiar with NJ and PA, municipal, county and PACER electronic filing , rules and procedures.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Litigation Paralegal
McCrink, Kehler & McCrink
West Berlin, NJ
05.2022 - 01.2023
- Supported seven attorneys, conducting initial interviews with new and old clients consulting with the firm for new cases, gathered the necessary information and documents needed to prepare the complaints to initiate their case or for preparing an answer to a complaint they were named as the defendant.
- Litigated all cases from initiation to settlement, involving primarily personal injury, medical malpractice, negligence, gross negligence, PIP arbitrations as well as breach of contracts, real estate closings, deeds, mortgage notes, business contracts and business formations.
- Obtained all authorizations and certifications executed by the clients to request all necessary records for preparation of chronological medical summaries to draft initial pleadings for the case.
- Prepared Demand Packages to opposing counsel and insurance companies and assisted with obtaining settlements between parties before arbitrations and trials.
- Performed administrative duties such as calendar hearings, filing deadlines keeping case files organized.
- Preparing complaints, answers, interrogatories, discovery responses and requests by indexing, organizing and labeling evidence, scheduling depositions, conducting legal research, and preparing briefs, motions and responses or replies to opposing counsel motions.
- Contacted fact, third party and expert witnesses to testify at depositions and court hearings.
Litigation Settlement Paralegal
Spear Greenfield
Philadelphia, PA
05.2016 - 09.2018
- Obtained all health insurance information, police reports, executed authorization forms, requested medical records and all billing, scheduled appointments with providers, requested PIP ledgers for keeping track of ongoing treatment that would be paid by the amount of the insurance companies' PIP benefits.
- Handled the accounting of client’s settlement awards, obtaining liens with the government, health insurance and workers compensation insurance companies or outstanding medical bills to be accurately deducted from settlement.
- Met with clients, distributed settlement checks and corresponded with the courts, insurance companies, attorneys, clients, hospitals and doctor’s offices daily by way of telephone, in person, fax, emails and meetings.
Bankruptcy Paralegal
The Law Offices Of David M. Offen - Philadelphia Bankruptcy Attorney
Philadelphia, PA
11.2014 - 05.2016
- Conducted initial consultation and meetings with clients and provided them with the information they needed to provide and the credit counseling courses to prepare their Chapter 7, 11, or 13 bankruptcy petitions for filing on PACER.
- Filing and writing proof of claims.
- Providing documents that support the claims.
- Managing files, or providing updates on the development of the case.
- Helping guide debtors through the process with answering questions and helping them obtain documentation needed for the preparation of their bankruptcy petitions and motions.
- Prepared motions to reopen cases and responded to motions filed by the creditors or the trustees.
Criminal Defense Paralegal
Kahn & Lehrfeld Law Office
Cherry Hill, NJ
12.2012 - 11.2014
- Review incoming disclosure statements and breakdown the appropriate documents (i.e., police reports, the complaint, etc.)
- Assist in initiating and engaging in criminal prosecutions on municipal, county, state and federal levels.
- Investigating and analyzing facts.
- Planning trial strategy.
- Consult with parties, experts, and lay witnesses.
- Prepare criminal trials.
- Legal research and drafts, reviews and prepares legal documents, including motions, petitions, opinions, demands, and disclosures.
- Handle large volumes of cases.
- Prepare initial documents (Notice of Appeal) for the appeal to the courts of appeals, and post-conviction relief proceedings.
Legal Assistant/Litigation Paralegal
Nash Law Firm, LLC
Blackwood, NJ
10.2008 - 10.2011
- Responsible for intake on medical malpractice and mass tort cases and managed auto accident cases in litigation.
- Researched facts and medical issues to determine viability of medical malpractice and personal injury claims.
- Extensive communication with clients, expert witnesses, defense counsel, court staff, and witnesses.
- Drafted pleadings, discovery requests and responses, disclosure statements, expert reports, and all associated correspondence.
- Attended depositions to document testimony of fact, third party and expert witnesses.
- Prepared deposition outlines and summaries.
- Prepare trial exhibits, trial subpoenas.
- Managed approximately 20 personal injury cases in pre-litigation and litigation stages.
- Gathered medical records to support claims.
- Extensive communication with clients, insurance adjusters and witnesses.
- Gathered facts and evidence to support claims.
- Prepared demand letters.
- Prepared accounting of settlement for client review.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Political Science
05.2024
- Honors Political Science Inductee
Associate of Applied Science - Legal Studies
05.2011
- Recipient of Academic Excellence Scholarship
- Member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society
- Inductee of Rutgers University Honors Political Science Program
Skills
- Deposition and Trial Preparation of Fact, Third Party and Expert Witnesses
- Submission of Time Sensitive Motion Filings, Responses, Replies, Pleadings and
- Draft and serve summons
- Summarize Medical Records
- Forthright New Jersey No-Fault PIP Arbitration Rules and Filings
- Proficient with E-Filing
- Proficient in Adobe Acrobat
- Proficient in MS Office
- Proficient in Lexis Nexis
- Performing administrative duties (ie calendar hearings and deadlines, organize case files)
Timeline
Litigation Paralegal - McCrink, Kehler & McCrink
05.2022 - 01.2023
Litigation Settlement Paralegal - Spear Greenfield
05.2016 - 09.2018
Bankruptcy Paralegal - The Law Offices Of David M. Offen - Philadelphia Bankruptcy Attorney
11.2014 - 05.2016
Criminal Defense Paralegal - Kahn & Lehrfeld Law Office
12.2012 - 11.2014
Legal Assistant/Litigation Paralegal - Nash Law Firm, LLC
10.2008 - 10.2011
Rutgers University - Bachelor of Science, Political Science
Camden County College - Associate of Applied Science, Legal Studies