Reanna Conelly
Rome,VA
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
PARALEGAL SPECIALIST
Department of the Navy
03.2021 - Current
- Extensive knowledge of Navy organizational structure, functions, operations, and procedures
- Extensive knowledge of the mission and functions of the Office of the Judge Advocate General, the Tort Claims Unit, and their relationship to other Federal activities and private industry
- Serves as TCUs only litigation paralegal with responsibility to audit Contingent Litigation Liabilities and aid attorneys in understanding their reporting obligations in accordance with the DFMR, SOPs, and ethics opinions
- Responsible for monitoring dockets, reviewing pleadings and orders, monitoring appellate proceedings, and responding to data calls from higher headquarters
- Serves as TCUs only affirmative claims paralegal with responsibility to counsel SJAs and other high-level leaders through the affirmative process including avoiding Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) implications while utilizing the DoD’s replacement-in-kind policy
- Responsible for liaising with the Department of Justice to file suit on behalf of the United States against third parties
- Responsible for ensuring recovered funds and maintaining fiscal integrity
- Independently research case law, administrative law, federal and state statutes, as well as Department of Justice, Department of Defense, Department of the Navy and Office of the Judge Advocate General instructions, standards, policies, and opinions
- Conducts substantive legal research using electronic or computerized databases (e.g., LEXIS)
- Applies basic legal principles and concepts, and data analysis techniques to perform independently recurring assignments typically covered by established precedents
- Process and adjudicate, in accordance with federal and state claims statutes, DON regulations, policies and procedures, all assigned claims under the Federal Tort Claims Act, Military Claims Act, Foreign Claims Act, and other statues and regulations
- Sufficiently and independently determines the need for additional information and the ability to independently obtain and develop through further fact-finding sufficient information to support administrative and/or legal decisions within criteria established by laws and regulations
- Comprehensively applies the law and procedures sufficient to examine case files and determine the sufficiency of the documentation contained therein
- Comprehensive knowledge of interviewing techniques sufficient to interview potential witnesses, supervisors and other sources of information
- Daily use of word processing systems, databases, and personal computers to prepare correspondence and legal documents
- Skilled in drafting of correspondence in compliance with DON Correspondence Manual, GPO Style Manual, legal citation formats, and proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation
- Skilled in creating, reviewing, tracking, and routing correspondence
- Communicates effectively orally and in writing in a clear and concise manner on technical and legal issues and principles with people of various backgrounds
- Skilled in communicating effectively with a variety of people in different situations, including extremely sensitive and controversial situations that may include uncooperative and hostile people
- Comprehensive ability to use a wide range of legal research tools necessary to draft and complete a wide range of legal documents
- Conduct substantive legal research and select relevant material for Tort Claim Unit (TCU) attorneys
- Acts as a research and review assistant for claims attorneys, providing detailed legal research services on complex and high-visibility claims
- Screen each claim when received, evaluate the adequacy of the Navy’s investigation, and determine whether further investigation is necessary
- Negotiate with attorneys, insurance adjusters, and claimants; appraises property damage, and evaluates settlement value without jeopardizing the interests of the United States
- Uses considerable judgment in interpreting and adapting guidelines to specific issues
- Provided legal, technical, and audit support to the lead attorney for tort claims arising under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act (CLJA)
- Provided support, as directed, for new or more difficult assignments and assisted in the tracking and auditing of over several thousand claims
- Audited and reviewed results of the paralegal’s work for technical accuracy and compliance with instructions
- Advised lead CLJA attorney on paralegal support capabilities and recommended solutions to problems in organizational structure, procedures, work processes, and workload distribution
- Performed troubleshooting and quality control spot-checks on the paralegal work product for TCU CLJA claims
- Prepared manual instruction detailing TCU paralegal adjudicating and auditing processes and procedures in preparation of training for turnover of CLJA duties and responsibilities
- Provides mentorship and technical training to paralegals within the TCU by way of providing knowledge of the TCU concepts, principles, practices and skill sufficient to provide advice and assistance on difficult and complex tort claims
- Provides paralegals with support for case files and recommending additional techniques and solutions to resolve problems or questions through application of established criteria and methods, such as deciding on and carrying out the necessary procedural steps or recommending and justifying the need to pursue any further actions
- Developed and manages the TCU paralegal SharePoint system, which provides guidelines for onboarding, quick references to frequently used sites, tracking of point of contacts, and storage for paralegal case references and training
- Organized and moderates bi-monthly paralegal meetings for the purpose of improving the effectiveness and productivity of the paralegal team.
Paralegal
Rome CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
11.2019 - 03.2021
- Provided assistance to City of Suffolk attorneys and the day-to-day management of administrative matters within the City of Suffolk Attorney’s Office
- Responsible for the day-to-day client intake, appointment scheduling, and case file management associated with the provision of legal services
- Assembled legal documents for accuracy, format and compliance with procedural guidance
- Utilized Microsoft Word, Excel and related equipment to complete administrative support functions
- Reviewed, analyzed and properly documented and filed incoming correspondence to prepare appropriate response letters in accordance with office policy and procedures
- Maintained files, tracking time-sensitive correspondence, database queries, and distribution of mail.
Portfolio Coordinator
The Lawson Companies
02.2019 - 11.2019
- Researched, procured, and implemented new database for investors and partnership communication, entity organization and year-end tax return process
- Responsible for providing assistance to the Chief Financial Officer and Finance Department relating to the day-to-day management of administrative and legal matters within the office
- Sole legal liaison between the company’s executive team and outside counsel
- Responsible for the day-to-day partner intake and file management associated with the provision of legal services
- Assembles legal documents for accuracy, format and compliance with procedural guidance
- Proficient in utilizing Microsoft Word, Excel and legal office software and related equipment to complete administrative support functions
- Reviews corporate legal documents and drafts various legal documents, such as Operating Agreements, Limited Partnership Agreements, Assignments and various legal documents as directed
- Ensures timely filing of corporate governance filings, including entity formation and termination filings, fictitious name certificates, and annual filings with the appropriate state corporation commission and/or Secretary of State and other agencies, and maintain such filings in current-and-good-standing status.
CORPORATE PARALEGAL
Constell's
02.2018 - 02.2019
- Instrumental in the organization of over several hundred database entries into new lease tracking platform
- Assisted legal department as sole paralegal for the Moyock branch, in transitioning into a cloud-based platform for record keeping purposes
- Served as the sole paralegal and primary liaison for the legal department
- Received personal contact information of all persons contacting the legal department
- Answered phone calls and emails to provide basic information to callers, responded to questions involving technical legal processes and procedures, and maintained confidentiality of information
- Responded to inquiries on a variety of matters such status of pending files and legal department procedures
- Responsible for aiding the attorneys and the day-to-day management of administrative matters within the legal department
- Responsible for the day-to-day client intake and case file management associated with the provision of legal services
- Maintained files, tracking time-sensitive correspondence, database queries, and distribution of mail
- Assembled and inspected legal documents for accuracy, format and compliance with procedural guidance
- Proficient in utilizing Microsoft Word, Excel and legal office software and related equipment to complete administrative support functions.
paralegal
homesley, Gaines, dudley & clodfelter
12.2015 - 02.2018
- Assisted in developing position requirements for vacant paralegal role within the firm
- Reviewed resumes interviewed candidates and provided recommendations for hiring
- Provided legal training as to firm’s policies, procedures, and practices
- Provided instruction as to local court and legal procedures to provide proficient and competent support to the assigned attorney
- Responsible for providing assistance to the attorneys and the day-to-day management of administrative matters within the office
- Responsible for the day-to-day client intake, appointment scheduling, and case file management associated with the provision of legal services
- Assembles legal documents for accuracy, format and compliance with procedural guidance
- Proficient in utilizing Microsoft Word, Excel and legal office software and related equipment to complete administrative support functions
- Received, reviewed and prepared files under the direct supervision of multiple attorneys to assist in preparing minimal to complex files from intake to trial
- Experienced in conducting title searches as well as thorough knowledge in drafting legal descriptions from previous deeds and/or land surveys and drafting deeds for the transfer of land and real property
- Assisted with litigation cases to include managing trial exhibits, preparing trial notebooks and communicating with experts and fact witnesses
- Involved in all aspects of litigation support including researching case law, administrative law, state statutes, directives, notices, and city manuals, medical record summarization and deposition summaries and trial preparation
- Requested, reviewed and organized incoming medical records
- Efficiently prepared, responded and reviewed plaintiff and/or defendant discovery, to include interrogatories, admissions, and production of documents for civil litigation and personal injury litigation matters
- Controlled and managed incoming correspondence using established office procedures
- Maintained files, tracking time-sensitive correspondence, database queries, and distribution of mail
- Reviewed, analyzed and properly documented and filed incoming correspondence to prepare appropriate response letters in accordance with office policy and procedures
- Served as primary liaison for all incoming contacts and communication between attorneys, opposing counsel and clients utilizing professional, courteous and timely verbal and communication skills
- Received personal contact information of clients and potential clients contacting the office
- Answered phone calls to provide basic information to callers, responded to questions involving technical legal processes and procedures, and maintained confidentiality of information
- Responded to inquiries on a variety of matters (e.g., status of pending cases, administrative and court rules, appeal procedures)
- Maintained physical and electronic filing systems, client lists, and appointment schedules to avoid conflict
- Managed a secure record of electronic files in accordance with established office procedures
- Scheduled and maintained a detailed calendar of hearings, appointments, depositions, meetings, and deadlines.
senior paralegal
Thomas, collison & Meagher
07.2014 - 12.2015
- Promoted to supervising paralegal responsible for supervising forward-facing paraprofessionals
- Supervisory duties included hiring, training, and mentoring paraprofessionals and managing an independent workload to ensure timely delivery of case load
- Developed position requirements for the vacant legal support role
- Reviewed resumes interviewed candidates and provided recommendations for hiring
- Provided initial training and ongoing direction, advice, and support to ensure the policies, procedures and practices of the law firm were met
- Directed and assigned additional taskers to provide legal support to law firm paralegals
- Monitored the support staff’s work product and deadlines to ensure the tasks were completed with accuracy, adequacy, and adherence to instructions
- Responsible for tracking and reporting progress and performance of support staff to office manager
- Opened and arranged new and incoming files and formulated appropriate queries for computerized legal databases
- Performed multifaceted office functions such as answering multi-line phone system, calendar management, intake of client retainers and payments
- Produced a variety of written documents and materials using a wide range of office software applications
- Experienced with requesting and organizing relevant documents, exhibits and information to assist attorneys in responding and defending against claims
- Maintained calendar of assigned active cases
- Aided in the examination, preparation and processing of a variety of legal documents such as client-specific correspondence, case summaries, complaints, orders, answers, subpoenas, pleadings, motions, and other legal materials
- Acted as liaison between attorneys, clients, insurance companies and courthouse personnel
- Reviews and examines correspondence, pleadings, motions, and various assigned documents to verify factual and legal content; Upholds strict ethical standards of confidentiality and discretion
- Drafted Wills, Power of Attorney, Health Care Power of Attorney and Living will documents
- Scheduled and conducted tracking, filing, hearing, and trial dates, and scheduling conference and interviews
- Assembled exhibits, affidavits, and other legal documents
- Drafted, edited, and prepared Deeds, Abstracts and Title policies for post real estate closings.
paralegal
Thomas, collison & Meagher
08.2013 - 07.2014
- Opened and arranged new and incoming files and formulated appropriate queries for computerized legal databases
- Performed multifaceted office functions such as answering multi-line phone system, calendar management, intake of client retainers and payments
- Produced a variety of written documents and materials using a wide range of office software applications
- Experienced with requesting and organizing relevant documents, exhibits and information to assist attorneys in responding and defending against claims
- Maintained calendar of assigned active cases
- Aided in the examination, preparation and processing of a variety of legal documents such as client-specific correspondence, case summaries, complaints, orders, answers, subpoenas, pleadings, motions, and other legal materials
- Acted as liaison between attorneys, clients, insurance companies and courthouse personnel
- Reviews and examines correspondence, pleadings, motions, and various assigned documents to verify factual and legal content; Upholds strict ethical standards of confidentiality and discretion
- Drafted Wills, Power of Attorney, Health Care Power of Attorney and Living will documents
- Scheduled and conducted tracking, filing, hearing, and trial dates, and scheduling conference and interviews
- Assembled exhibits, affidavits, and other legal documents
- Drafted, edited, and prepared Deeds, Abstracts and Title policies for post real estate closings.
Education
Candidate for Juris Doctorate -
Mitchell Hamline school of law
St. Paul, MN01.2026
Master's in arts - Law
regent university
Virginia Beach, VA01.2022
Bachelor of Arts - Paralegal Studies
regent university
Virginia Beach, VA01.2020
Associate's in applied science - Paralegal Studies
Broome community college
Binghamton, NY01.2016
Skills
- Excel
- Word
- PowerPoint
- One Note
- Outlook
- SharePoint Online
- Power Automate
- Power Apps
- Contract Management
- Command Process and Workflows Command Activities
- Command Process and Templates for Various High-Level Command Activities
Timeline
PARALEGAL SPECIALIST
Department of the Navy
03.2021 - Current
Paralegal
Rome CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
11.2019 - 03.2021
Portfolio Coordinator
The Lawson Companies
02.2019 - 11.2019
CORPORATE PARALEGAL
Constell's
02.2018 - 02.2019
paralegal
homesley, Gaines, dudley & clodfelter
12.2015 - 02.2018
senior paralegal
Thomas, collison & Meagher
07.2014 - 12.2015
paralegal
Thomas, collison & Meagher
08.2013 - 07.2014
Candidate for Juris Doctorate -
Mitchell Hamline school of law
Master's in arts - Law
regent university
Bachelor of Arts - Paralegal Studies
regent university
Associate's in applied science - Paralegal Studies
Broome community college