REGINA F. ADDISON
Hopkins,SC
Summary
Driven Paralegal with extensive Financial Litigation, Criminal, Civil and Collections experience. Motivated to continually improve and extend personal skills and knowledge to attain increased responsibility and opportunities for professional growth.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Paralegal Specialist – Financial Litigation Unit
United States Attorney’s Office
10.2019 - Current
- Reviews and analyzes claims for legal merit and compliance according to the Federal Debt Collection Procedures Act.
- Assists counsel in all aspects of litigation management with analysis and legal research, factual investigating, document management and court preparation
- Liaison between judges, court administration, attorneys, probation officers, government agencies and the public.
- Maintains multiple monthly reports dealing with outstanding debts.
- Maintains collection for a case load of over 900 debtors to include excellent investigative and reporting skills.
- Prepares written correspondence to referring agencies in accordance with the Federal Debt Collection Procedures Act; opens and maintains debtor files; analyzes claims to determine the type of indebtedness to record and maintains proper debtor account information; analyzes financial information on debtors to determine their present and future potential ability to pay and this is obtained through excellent judgment, strong work ethic and great analytical skills.
- Initiates contact with debtors concerning payment of their obligations, their ability to pay, and negotiates written payment schedules to assure successful collection of debts.
- Interprets and enforces judgments in criminal cases, and independently performs all functions to collect amounts imposed because of prosecution of criminal cases.
- Produces a variety of substantive legal documents to include various motions, garnishments, and other legal actions necessary to initiate post-judgment actions pertaining to debts owed to the U.S Government utilizing a wide range of office software applications to include my knowledge of Westlaw; Lexis Nexis and being proficient in MS Office .
- I have conducted over 20 debtor examination with beyond exceptional results in securing payments from non-paying debtors, by incorporating experience in credit disputes, debt validation and resolution skills as well as a calming interviewing skill.
- Review financial statements and records from databases and third parties to assess the financial status of debtors and their ability to pay restitution debts owed to victims through using excellent investigating and reporting skills.
- Utilizes a variety of automated legal research tools as well as public information databases and other automated resources to research case specific legal matters.
- Investigates facts and laws to determine causes of action and to prepare cases as well as recommending the appropriate legal action to take regarding a given debtor’s liability and ability to make payment.
- Provide litigation support to the AUSA through CM/ECF filing, Document filing and Document Preparation.
- Identifies changes in Federal and State statues, case law and regulations affecting financial litigation programs in USAOs.
- Assesses USAO staff training needs based on an analysis of functional area responsibility and unique USAO program needs.
- Research State and Federal statutes, decisions, legal articles, codes, and documents for applicability to assigned cases.
- Analyzes changes in Department of Justice policies and other issues of direct relevance to Financial Litigation programs.
- Evaluates debt collection cases referred to the USAO for judicial proceedings consistent with current policy and overall objectives, analyzing internal operations and utilization of resources, identifying actual or potential problems, directing changes to program priorities and day-to-day operations, and evaluating progress toward meeting program goals and milestones.
- Conducts interviews of debtors, employers, and agency officials to determine the debtor’s financial situation and makes a recommendation to the AUSA on the most appropriate legal action.
- Contacts key individuals for court hearing as needed.
- Prepares and maintains a variety of court-related documents by applying a thorough knowledge of the Federal Rules of Evidence and Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure and application of practical litigative experience.
- Communicates pertinent information to debtors, attorneys, probation and the court via phone, email, and U.S. Mail; and Participates in the development of new procedures relating to Financial Litigation as well as attending required and needed training with goals to improve debt collection.
Legal Assistant – Criminal Division
United States Attorney’s Office
11.2017 - 10.2019
- Reviewed, prepared, and processed a variety of legal documents, such as complaints, indictments, motions, responses, subpoenas, and orders.
- Increased client satisfaction by efficiently managing case files and promptly addressing inquiries.
- Facilitated timely resolution of legal matters by preparing and organizing essential documents.
- Drafted discovery documents, indictments, motions, jury instructions, responses to 4th Circuit Briefs, and trial briefs, by applying a thorough knowledge of the Federal Rules of Evidence and Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure.
- Produced a variety of written documents and materials using a wide range of Office software applications including being proficient in MS Office.
- Maintained case files for relevancy and accessibility.
- Aided attorneys in trial preparation, including issuing subpoenas, assembling exhibits, and assisting with discovery management and extensive discovery skills in IPRO, Eclipse, E-Scan-IT and CM/ECF filing.
- Calendared court hearings for individual AUSAs and the criminal division master calendar.
- Scheduled conferences and interviews received telephone calls and visitors.
- Reviewed, screened, and appropriately addressed incoming mail; Arranged travel by preparing itinerary and securing transportation and hotel reservations.
- Assembled and organized files and material for disposition or transfer to records depository; and Assisted the Financial Litigation Unit by promoting the unit and by providing the Financial Litigation Unit restitution orders, statements of reasons, and pre-sentence reports.
Legal Assistant/Collection Agent – Financial Litigation Unit
United States Attorney's Office
10.2014 - 11.2017
- Reviewed and analyzed claims for legal merit and compliance according to the Federal Debt Collection Procedures Act.
- Provides in-depth training and guidance to Financial Litigation personnel on current and proposed case tracking systems.
- Assisted counsel in all aspects of litigation management with analysis and legal research, factual investigating, document management and court preparation.
- Liaison between judges, court administration, attorneys, probation officers, government agencies and the public.
- Maintained multiple monthly reports dealing with outstanding debts
- Maintained collection for a case load of over 900 debtors.
- Prepared written correspondence to referring agencies in accordance with the Federal Debt Collection Procedures Act; opened and maintained debtor files; analyzed claims to determine the type of indebtedness to record and maintained proper debtor account information; analyzed financial information on debtors to determine their present and future potential ability to pay.
- Initiated contact with debtors concerning payment of their obligations, their ability to pay, and negotiated written payment schedules to assure successful collection of debts.
- Interpreted and enforced judgments in criminal cases, and independently performed all functions to collect amounts imposed because of prosecution of criminal cases.
- Produced a variety of substantive legal documents to include various motions, garnishments, and other legal actions necessary to initiate post-judgment actions pertaining to debts owed to the U.S.
- Government utilizing a wide range of office software applications including being proficient in MS Office.
- Utilized a variety of automated legal research tools as well as public information databases and other automated resources to research case specific legal matters.
- Investigated facts and laws to determine causes of action and to prepare cases as well as recommending the appropriate legal action to take regarding a given debtor’s liability and ability to make payment.
- Researched State and Federal statutes, decisions, legal articles, codes, and documents for applicability to assigned cases.
- Prepared legal actions and summaries of analysis related to debt collection.
- Communicated pertinent information to debtors, attorneys, probation and the court via phone, email, and U.S Mail.
- Participated in the development of new procedures relating to Financial Litigation as well as attending required and needed training with goals to improve debt collection; and Conducted interviews of debtors, employers, and agency officials to determine the debtor’s financial situation and makes a recommendation to the AUSA on the most appropriate legal action.
- Increased client satisfaction by efficiently managing case files and promptly addressing inquiries.
- Facilitated timely resolution of legal matters by preparing and organizing essential documents.
- Improved communication between attorneys and clients by scheduling meetings, providing status updates, and relaying critical information promptly.
- Reduced errors in court filings by meticulously proofreading documents for accuracy before submission.
Senior Supervisory Litigation Paralegal
JOYE, NAPPIER & RISHER LLC
12.2006 - 10.2014
- Managed high case load, in the practice areas of personal injury, wrongful death, criminal state and federal level, family law.
- Oversaw and directed cases at all stages, from intake through trial preparation and appeal preparation.
- Performed all aspects of case preparation, including formulating theories of the case, legal research, drafting legal documents, including complaints, motions, orders, and briefs.
- Conducted investigations, and present at depositions, trials, and appellate arguments.
- Assisted counsel in preparing answers, providing documentation and information for discovery requests.
- Created and implemented policies, workflow processes and work assignments.
- Managed billable hour tracking, payroll, and client invoicing and attorney schedules.
- Communicated with outside vendors on behalf of attorneys and legal departments.
- Acted as liaison between multiple attorneys involved in complex legal issues.
- Developed and managed up to 202 personal injury cases.
- Prepared written correspondence to referring agencies in accordance with the Federal Debt Collection Procedures Act; opened and maintained debtor files; analyzed claims to determine the type of indebtedness to record and maintained proper debtor account information; analyzed financial information on debtors to determine their present and future potential ability to pay.
- Utilized a variety of automated legal research tools as well as public information databases and other automated resources to research case specific legal matters.
- Produced a variety of substantive legal documents to include various motions, garnishments, and other legal actions necessary to initiate post-judgment actions pertaining to debts owed to our clients’ government utilizing a wide range of office software applications.
- Directed and coordinated law office activity, including delivery of subpoenas.
- Maintained ongoing communication with opposing parties from discovery to trial phase.
- Conducted skip traces to obtain case participant information.
- Communicated pertinent information to clients via phone, email, and mail.
- Contacted key witnesses to testify at court hearings
- Handled Compensation cases both Plaintiff and Defendant from start to finish.
- Conducted detailed client intakes and entered information into company database.
- Researched state statutes, decisions, legal articles, codes, and documents; and Investigated facts and laws to determine causes of action and to prepare cases.
- Assisted in securing favorable settlements for clients by drafting persuasive settlement proposals and negotiating terms.
- Supported attorneys during trial proceedings, ensuring the availability of key exhibits and witnesses when needed.
- Managed high-volume caseloads effectively by creating organized systems for tracking deadlines and prioritizing tasks.
- Collaborated closely with attorneys to develop case strategies that aligned with client objectives, resulting in positive outcomes for clients.
- Assisted in obtaining key evidence through subpoenaing records from various sources such as financial institutions or medical providers.
- Fostered a positive work environment by contributing to a collaborative atmosphere among colleagues and providing mentorship to junior paralegals.
Education
Master of Science - Organizational Management/ Project Manager
Charleston Southern University
Charleston, SC01.2016
Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice
Charleston Southern University
Charleston, SC01.2002
Paralegal Certificate -
01.2001
Associate of Science - Criminal Justice
Horry Georgetown Technical College
Conway, SC01.2000
Skills
- Specialty in Financial Litigation and Collection Law, Criminal Law, Family Law, and Personal Injury
- Certified Paralegal American Association for Paralegal Education
- Self-motivated
- Detail Oriented
- Westlaw and Lexis Nexis
- Case Management
- Experience in credit disputes, debt validation and resolution
- Strong legal background of over 20 years
- Social Security law knowledge
- Proficient in MS Office
- Exceptional written skills
- Excellent investigative and reporting skills
- Extensive discovery skills in IPRO, Eclipse, E-Scan-IT and CM/ECF filing
- Excellent judgment, strong work ethic and great analytical skills
- Legal Research
- Evidence analysis
- Estate Planning
- Interviewing abilities
- Witness interview skills
- Client Communication
- Litigation Support
- Personal Injury Claims
- Court Filing
- Witness Preparation
- Attorney Support
- Document filing
- Document Preparation
- Records Management
- Legal Compliance
- Notary Public
- File and Records Management
- Calendar Management
- Proofreading
- Relationship Building
- Document Management
- Legal Correspondence
- Correspondence and Legal Forms
- Filing System Organization
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Decision-Making
- Meeting Preparation
- Appointment Scheduling
- Reliability
- Team building
- Deadline Monitoring
- Time Management
Accomplishments
- American Association for Paralegal Education
- Certified Paralegal
- Financial and Estate Planning
- Social Security case management
Activities
Member, South Carolina Paralegal Association
Timeline
Paralegal Specialist – Financial Litigation Unit
United States Attorney’s Office
10.2019 - Current
Legal Assistant – Criminal Division
United States Attorney’s Office
11.2017 - 10.2019
Legal Assistant/Collection Agent – Financial Litigation Unit
United States Attorney's Office
10.2014 - 11.2017
Senior Supervisory Litigation Paralegal
JOYE, NAPPIER & RISHER LLC
12.2006 - 10.2014
Master of Science - Organizational Management/ Project Manager
Charleston Southern University
Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice
Charleston Southern University
Paralegal Certificate -
Associate of Science - Criminal Justice
Horry Georgetown Technical College
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