Shannon Mendez Smith
Abilene,TX
Summary
Experienced paralegal with a strong background in personal injury, family law, and criminal law, as well as serving as a team leader and mentor to other paralegals. Highly skilled in managing cases from intake through resolution, coordinating with attorneys, clients, insurance carriers, medical providers, and court personnel, and ensuring accuracy, compliance, and deadlines are met. Recognized for professionalism, organization, and the ability to support efficient legal operations while fostering a collaborative team environment.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Paralegal, Pre-Litigation Manager
Hanna ~Allen Law Firm
Abilene, TX
03.2023 - Current
- Manage pre-litigation case files.
- Conducted thorough legal research to support trial preparation and strategy development.
- Drafted and reviewed various legal documents.
- Coordinated communication between clients, attorneys, and external parties for efficient case management.
- Assisted attorneys in preparing for depositions and mediations.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of legal developments by participating in continuing education programs and industry events.
- Streamlined the process of obtaining critical information from opposing counsel through effective negotiation techniques.
- Ensured compliance with court deadlines by closely monitoring schedules and assigning tasks accordingly.
- Played a key role in case management and resolution of multi-million-dollar settlements.
- Reduced costs for clients by negotiating favorable settlements in various cases.
- Been part of multi million dollar settlements.
- Coordinated settlement talks between counsel, defendants, and plaintiffs.
- Conducted thorough due diligence investigations to facilitate informed decision-making in high-stakes cases.
- Managed scheduling of court calendars and deadlines to maintain smooth flow of firm operations.
- Conducted detailed client intakes and entered information into company database.
- Assisted in preparation of settlement proposals and agreements to help attorneys negotiate settlement in best interest of client.
- Researched statutes, decisions, legal articles, and codes.
- Attended court hearings and depositions to take notes and document proceedings.
- Conducted background investigations on defendant.
- Managed complex caseloads efficiently by prioritizing tasks according to deadlines and strategic importance.
- Managed company social media content, posting, and online engagement including representing the company at social events.
- Coordinated community benefit giveaways and outreach initiatives.
Paralegal/Manager/Supervisor
Law Office Of Lee Ann Morris, PLLC
Abilene, Texas
02.2015 - 03.2023
- Accomplished multiple tasks within established timeframes.
- Onboarded new employees with training and new hire documentation.
- Cross-trained existing employees to maximize team agility and performance.
- Maximized performance by monitoring daily activities and mentoring team members.
- Evaluated employees' strengths and assigned tasks based upon experience and training.
- Approved regular payroll submissions for employees.
- Assisted counsel in preparing answers, providing documentation and information for discovery request.
- Prepared legal briefs, motions, pleadings and discovery.
- Coordinated trial exhibits by organizing materials, writing documentation and preparing digital materials and displays.
- Managed billable hour tracking, payroll, client invoicing and schedules for attorney.
- Maintained ongoing communication with opposing parties from discovery to trial phase to facilitate expeditious litigation.
- Contacted key witnesses to testify at court hearings.
- Directed and coordinated service of subpoenas, citations, scheduling of depositions and mediation.
- Mitigated legal team's workload by reviewing and evaluating legal documents, discovery materials and contracts.
- Created and implemented policies, work flow processes and work assignments.
- Trained and managed four (4) employees in best practices and protocols to realize maximum productivity.
Senior Paralegal/Office Manager
Law Office Of David N. DeFoore
Abilene , Texas
02.2010 - 02.2015
- Senior Paralegal, Office Manger.
- Conducted detailed client intakes and entered information into company database.
- Conferred with clients and other involved parties to gather and track case information.
- Assisted counsel in preparing answers, providing documentation and information for discovery request.
- Prepared legal briefs, motions and pleadings.
- Maintained ongoing communication with opposing parties from discovery to trial phase to facilitate expeditious litigation.
- Contacted key witnesses to testify at court hearings.
- Directed and coordinated service of subpoenas, scheduling of depositions and mediation.
- Identified appropriate judicial decisions relevant to cases.
- Analyzed evidence gathering and presentation, client counseling, and jury selection methods processes for civil litigation.
- Trained and managed employees in best practices and protocols to realize maximum productivity.
Legal Assistant/Paralegal
Burke Law Firm
Abilene, Texas
06.2009 - 02.2010
- Conferred with clients and other involved parties to gather and track case information.
- Researched innovative methods of adding value to key client relationships by providing timely material to facilitate frequent interactions with clients.
- Coordinated trial exhibits by organizing materials, writing documentation and preparing digital materials and displays.
- Assisted lawyers with materials preparation for internal and external training events.
- Oversaw billable hour tracking, payroll processing, client invoicing, and attorney scheduling for multiple attorneys
- Directed and coordinated service of subpoenas and scheduling of depositions for several legal professionals.
- Answered calls from clients and inquiries, using open-ended questioning skills to attain applicable information.
- Prepared legal briefs, motions and pleadings.
- Conducted detailed client intakes and entered information into company database.
- Contacted key witnesses to testify at court hearings.
- Created highly researched and articulate legal paperwork such as pleadings, contracts and briefs.
- Created and implemented policies, work flow processes and work assignments.
Education
Paralegal Studies
Texas State Technical College
Abilene, TXMedical Transcription
American Commercial College
Abilene, TXSkills
- Managing Employee Relations and Team Goals
- LexisNexis/Form Builder/ProDoc
- Personal Injury Law/Family Law/Criminal Law
- Correspondence and Legal Forms Drafting
- Jury Selection
- Electronic Discovery and Electronic E-Filing
- Performs and Manages Multitasks
- Proficient with Microsoft Word and Excel
- Team leadership qualities
- Legal research expertise
Accomplishments
- Director, District 11, Paralegal Division – State Bar of Texas
- Founder, Big Country Legal Eagles professional networking group
- Board Member, Salvation Army
- Assisted in planning and coordination of multiple nonprofit and community organizations
- Co-Chair, Dyess Spouses Club Scholarship Program
- The Pro Bono College of the State Bar of Texas
Affiliations
- Director District 11, Paralegal Division State Bar of Texas
- Big Country Legal Eagles.
- Big Country Legal Assistants.
- Salvation Army.
- Cancer Network Society
Certification
- Process Server for Taylor, Jones, Callahan, Shackelford Counties
- Texas Notary and Texas Notary Signing Agent
Timeline
Senior Paralegal, Pre-Litigation Manager
Hanna ~Allen Law Firm
03.2023 - Current
Paralegal/Manager/Supervisor
Law Office Of Lee Ann Morris, PLLC
02.2015 - 03.2023
Senior Paralegal/Office Manager
Law Office Of David N. DeFoore
02.2010 - 02.2015
Legal Assistant/Paralegal
Burke Law Firm
06.2009 - 02.2010
Paralegal Studies
Texas State Technical College
Medical Transcription
American Commercial College