Sharon Chiles
Spring
Summary
Proven Legal Support Specialist with a robust background in litigation support and legal document preparation, notably at JONES DAY. Excels in court filings and maintaining organizational efficiency, enhancing case management processes. Demonstrated ability to support multiple attorneys and manage complex legal tasks with precision. Skilled in Microsoft Office and client communication, ensuring high levels of client satisfaction.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Legal Support Specialist
JONES DAY
07.2022 - Current
- Support up to eight attorneys, including 3 Partners, across several practice areas
- Prepare, proof, edit and finalize engagement letters and legal documents including motions, orders and discovery
- Prepare and manage exhibits and documents in preparation for production and trial
- Assemble notebooks for depositions, hearings and/or trial
- EFile documents in state and federal courts
- Submit pleadings & discovery to American Arbitration Association, monitor deadlines and submit Arbitrator invoices
- Prepare and revise PowerPoint presentations
- Assisted with setting up depositions with witnesses and requested checks for witness fees
- Developed and implemented procedures for case management and document organization
- Communicated with court clerks regarding hearings; monitored court dockets and provided timely updates to attorneys
- Scanned documents into a digital format for easy access by attorneys; save same to firm's document management system
- Submit new matter requests
- Manage schedules and travel arrangements, and reserve conference and meeting rooms
- Enter and submit attorney time.
Legal Assistant/Office Coordinator/Billing Assistant
STEPP & SULLIVAN, P.C.
11.2021 - 07.2022
- Supported 2 named Partners and several associates
- Prepared, revised and e-filed pleadings, motions and other legal documents with respective county, state or federal courts
- Managed correspondence, discovery requests and responses, and other related legal documents
- Communicated with court clerks regarding scheduling of hearings, filings and status of orders
- Maintained case dockets and attorney appointment calendars
- Handled client communication and conducted preliminary client interviews
- Coded and entered attorney time
- Prepared monthly client invoices.
Senior Legal Assistant
THOMPSON & HORTON, LLP
06.2018 - 10.2021
- Supported two Partner and several associates
- Prepared, revised and filed pleadings, motions and orders in state and federal courts
- Delivered or arranged delivery of legal documents to judges' chambers and other law firms
- Submitted responses and other pleadings with hearing officers through the IDEA regarding parent complaints or the EEOC in school law matters
- Prepared correspondence, and discovery requests and responses
- Maintained attorney calendars; input, submitted and edited attorney time
- Opened new matters and maintained client files in document management system
- Prepared hearing, mediation, deposition and trial notebooks
- Prepared, organized, bates-numbered and/or redacted documents for document production
- Handled voluminous document uploads/downloads and discovery documents via Dropbox and/or OneDrive
- Coordinated meetings with school district personnel
- Scheduled depositions and mediations
- Transcribed interviews from voice recordings
- Prepared and submitted expenses
- Made travel arrangements.
Contract Legal Secretary/Legal Assistant
VARIOUS LAW FIRMS AND CORPORATIONS
05.2017 - 05.2018
- Prepared, revised and e-filed pleadings, motions and orders; prepared discovery requests and responses, and correspondence
- Assisted with calendaring and docket updates
- Scheduled depositions and hearings
- Prepared narrative and page line deposition summaries
- Prepared hearing, mediation, deposition and trial notebooks; prepared other trial aids as needed
- E-filed documents in state and federal court
- Developed a system for cataloging document production and medical records for each case
- Made travel arrangements and processed expenses
- Frequently requested by law firms such as Coats Rose.
Legal Assistant to Sr. Partner/Houston Office Coordinator for CEO
SELMAN MUNSON & LERNER
11.2013 - 04.2016
- Accessed and researched Secretary of State docs
- Prepared, revised and finalized merger and acquisition documents, contracts, agreements and various corporate documents
- Oversaw office remodeling project and ordered office furniture and office supplies
- Coordinated with firm IT personnel on system updates & maintenance
- Oversaw purchase and maintenance of all office machines
- Handled bank deposits for client payments
- Backup for office receptionist
- Scheduled meetings and maintained attorney calendar
- Entered attorney time.
Litigation Legal Secretary
VORYS SATER SEYMOUR & PEASE
10.2012 - 09.2013
- Revised and finalized merger and acquisition documents and buy-sell agreements
- Calendared and updated case dockets
- Prepared pleadings, orders, motions, discovery requests, responses and correspondence
- Scheduled depositions and hearings
- Prepared hearing, mediation, deposition and trial notebooks
- Managed document production and prepared trial aids as needed
- E-filed documents in state and federal courts
- Made travel arrangements
- Submitted invoices for payment and attorney expenses for reimbursement.
Education
Associate degree - General Business Studies
NORTH HARRIS MONTGOMERY COLLEGE
Skills
- Litigation Support
- Court Filings
- Legal/Court Processes
- Discovery Management
- File Management
- Document drafting
- Administrative Support
- Calendar Management
- Task Prioritization
- Detail Oriented
- Proofreading
- Transcription
- Scheduling/Planning
- Organizational Efficiency
- Client & Firm Confidentiality
- Client service and support
- Client Billing
- Microsoft Office
Certification
Legal Secretary Certificate
References
References available upon request
Timeline
Legal Support Specialist
JONES DAY
07.2022 - Current
Legal Assistant/Office Coordinator/Billing Assistant
STEPP & SULLIVAN, P.C.
11.2021 - 07.2022
Senior Legal Assistant
THOMPSON & HORTON, LLP
06.2018 - 10.2021
Contract Legal Secretary/Legal Assistant
VARIOUS LAW FIRMS AND CORPORATIONS
05.2017 - 05.2018
Legal Assistant to Sr. Partner/Houston Office Coordinator for CEO
SELMAN MUNSON & LERNER
11.2013 - 04.2016
Litigation Legal Secretary
VORYS SATER SEYMOUR & PEASE
10.2012 - 09.2013
Associate degree - General Business Studies
NORTH HARRIS MONTGOMERY COLLEGE