Rodrigo Vega
Houston
Summary
Professional paralegal with solid foundation in legal research and case management. Known for efficiently supporting attorneys and contributing to successful case outcomes. Effectively collaborating with team members to meet deadlines. Demonstrated proficiency in preparing applications and managing case files.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Paralegal
Catholic Charities of Galveston-Houston
11.2022 - 02.2025
- Prepared TPS, I-730, I-485 for Afghan parolees under attorney supervision.
- Assisted in submitting applications mainly through USPS and UPS.
- Performed corrections on applications as needed.
- Enhanced case efficiency by organizing and maintaining legal documents, files, and correspondence.
- Assisted in the procurement of documents such birth certificates, marriage certificates, Tazkeras (Afghan national ID's) Apartment leases, driver licenses among other documents.
- Assisted attorneys in setting up appointments with Afghan clients.
- Assisted attorneys in sending out closing letters to clients.
- Performed occasionally English-Spanish translations.
- Performed occasionally Spanish interpretation with clients.
- Updated clients on their case satus whenver they would inquire about their case.
- Attended walk-ins at the front desk.
- Assisted attorneys with RFE's.
- Assisted attorneys in procuring information pertinent to the case.
- Edited and proofread applications to verify accuracy before submission.
- Contributed to firm-client relationship building through professional interactions with clients during meetings or phone calls, conveying empathy while maintaining confidentiality.
- Liaised with other paralegals and legal staff to complete common tasks on schedule.
- Handed out EAD's or USCIS notices to clients whenever it was opportune to do so.
- Performed intakes with potential clients.
- Met with clients to perform a legal process.
- Prepared written check requests on behalf of attorneys for clients and submitted to agency for approval and issuing.
Property Damage Paralegal for Motor Vehicle Accident Cases
Kwok Daniel Law Firm
09.2021 - 11.2022
- Worked on property damage cases related to automobile accidents
- Functioned as a liaison on behalf of the client with insurance companies and body shops
- Opened insurance claims on behalf of the client
- Used Needles Software to manage and organize client cases
- Sent out certified reserve letters, mitigation letters, and spoliations letters
- Sent out letters of representation, either through fax or email, to third-party and first-party insurance companies
- Obtained a liability decision from third-party insurance companies
- Scheduled clients' vehicle inspection, rental, and repairs with third-party insurance companies
- Searched and obtained police reports on clients' cases
- Called police departments to look into clients' police reports
- Obtained total loss offer or repair estimates from third-party insurance for clients
- Performed English to Spanish translations and interpretations
- Provided customer service to clients whenever issues would arise with their repairs and rentals
Paralegal for Watson and Grinding Explosion Case
Kwok Daniel Law Firm
09.2021 - 06.2022
- Worked in a team environment with other paralegals and lawyers on the Watson class action lawsuit
- Completed Plaintiff Fact Sheets with clients over the phone
- Set up with the attorney house inspections and doctor appointments
- Attended to client phone calls
- Scheduled appointments with clients to complete the Plaintiff Fact Sheet
- Performed English to Spanish translations and interpretations
- Followed up with clients regarding any missing documents
- Organize client documents
- Used Needles software platform to manage and organize client cases
Health Specialist I
SBHIS
10.2020 - 08.2021
- Functioned as a sales assistant and Spanish interpreter before being promoted to Health Specialist I
- As the only Spanish-speaking broker, contributed to the growth of the company in Texas by networking with Spanish-speaking doctors and clients
- Established and maintained relations with doctors and pharmacies
- Carried out enrollments
- Created a cultural awareness within the company to better serve and reach out Spanish speaking clients
- Created and performed events
- Carried out interpretations for non-Spanish-speaking brokers
Spanish Teacher Assistant
Cristo Rey Jesuit College Preparatory School
06.2018 - 06.2018
- Assisted students with their coursework
- Assisted the Spanish teacher in administering tests and assignments
- Kept track of students' progress and provided feedback to them and their parents
Freelance Spanish to English Translation
Cristo Rey Jesuit High School
08.2014 - 06.2017
- Performed Translations of student-parent letters, general announcements and official parent-student handbook
- Edited translated content to maintain original format, font, and structure
- Cross-referenced specialized dictionaries and translation tool to check quality of translation
- Proofread translated text to check for grammar, spelling and punctuation accuracy
Over-the-phone Spanish Interpreter
06.2015 - 08.2015
- Handled about 25 to 30 confidential calls per day requiring Spanish interpretation
- Occasionally performed the role of mediator
- Performed linguistic and cultural analysis to better deliver the quality of the interpretation and convey an accurate meaning
- Performed legal, medical and financial interpretations
- Provided cultural input to speakers to help parties who did not speak similar languages communicate with and understand one another
- Conferred with subject matter experts and other colleagues to establish a precise understanding of specialized concepts and translate them appropriately
- Consulted specialized dictionaries, thesauruses and reference books to identify closest equivalents for nuanced terminology, words and phrases
- Attended training programs to improve professional knowledge and interpretation skills
Intern
Catholic Charities Refugee Resettlement
08.2012 - 05.2013
- Assisted case managers in organizing and preparing refugee cases
- Assisted case managers with Spanish interpretation
- Interacted and assisted recently arrived refugees which were especially from MENA (Middle East and North Africa) and Cuba
- Answered incoming telephone calls, took down messages and provided information
- Completed clerical tasks such as filing, copying, and distributing mail
- Interacted with customers professionally by phone, email or in person to provide information and directed to desired staff members
- Built rapport with clients to facilitate trusting relationships and provide a setting conducive to growth
Education
Bachelor of Arts - International Studies
Universtiy of St. Thomas
05.2020
Skills
- Translation
- Interpretation
- Marketing
- Customer service
- Mediation
- Multilingual
- Proofreading
- Conflict Management
- Native spanish fluency
Certification
- American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages: Portuguese reading proficiency, 08/25/21
- Arbitration from Manousso Mediation & Arbitration LLC, 05/21
- Licensure from the Texas Department of Insurance as General Lines Agent, 01/21, 2623015
- Basic Mediation Certificate from Manousso Mediation & Arbitration, LLC, 05/19
Affiliations
- American Translator's Association
- Texas Mediator Credentialing Association
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Portuguese
Full Professional
French
Limited Working
Polish
Limited Working
Italian
Professional Working
Timeline
Paralegal
Catholic Charities of Galveston-Houston
11.2022 - 02.2025
Property Damage Paralegal for Motor Vehicle Accident Cases
Kwok Daniel Law Firm
09.2021 - 11.2022
Paralegal for Watson and Grinding Explosion Case
Kwok Daniel Law Firm
09.2021 - 06.2022
Health Specialist I
SBHIS
10.2020 - 08.2021
Spanish Teacher Assistant
Cristo Rey Jesuit College Preparatory School
06.2018 - 06.2018
Over-the-phone Spanish Interpreter
06.2015 - 08.2015
Freelance Spanish to English Translation
Cristo Rey Jesuit High School
08.2014 - 06.2017
Intern
Catholic Charities Refugee Resettlement
08.2012 - 05.2013
- American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages: Portuguese reading proficiency, 08/25/21
- Arbitration from Manousso Mediation & Arbitration LLC, 05/21
- Licensure from the Texas Department of Insurance as General Lines Agent, 01/21, 2623015
- Basic Mediation Certificate from Manousso Mediation & Arbitration, LLC, 05/19
Bachelor of Arts - International Studies
Universtiy of St. Thomas
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