SONIA CANALES
Glen Cove
Summary
Dynamic Senior Paralegal with extensive experience at The Sanders Firm, excelling in case management and legal writing. Proven ability to negotiate settlements and maintain meticulous records. Bilingual in Spanish, demonstrating effective communication and organizational skills to enhance client outcomes and streamline processes. Committed to achieving results in high-pressure environments.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Paralegal
The Sanders Firm
Garden City
06.2020 - 10.2025
- Manage all personal injury files that require Estates legal attention such as establishing Administrators, Testators, and death compromises
- Discuss the status of petitions with the Administrator/Testator and obtain any and all relevant information required by the Surrogate’s Court to approve
- Upon approval, advise the opposing insurance carrier, counsel, and/or Courts of the new Administrator/Testator by filing the required petitions
- Prepare death compromises upon settlement
- Draft all Infant Compromises post-settlement and coordinate necessary doctor appointments
- Constant communication with New York Civil, Supreme, and Surrogate’s Courts to follow up on status of petitions, hearing dates, and clarifications of any misunderstood corrections
- Negotiate outstanding balances and liens post-settlement with medical facilities, Medicaid/Medicare, advance funding companies, and any other agencies seeking monetary collections from the client
- Constantly update medical records, medical providers, liens, and adjuster demographics
- Draft, interpret, and translate documents in Spanish
- Knowledgeable in No Fault Applications, loss wages, and client reimbursements
- Intensive communication with clients regarding status and any further information required
- Research relevant information and perform other duties as deemed necessary
Senior Paralegal
Brian J. Levy & Associates, PC
Syosset
06.2016 - 01.2020
- Coordinator in the medical records department responsible for the request, receipt, and review of all documents in order to prepare all cases
- Manage and train personnel in all matters regarding medical records
- Discuss the analysis of the case, negotiate, and settle with insurance adjusters
- Constantly update medical records, medical providers, liens, and adjuster demographics
- Initiate request for advanced settlement funding for clients
- Prepare and maintain files for litigation and trial
- Draft, interpret, and translate documents in Spanish
- Negotiate outstanding balances and liens post-settlement
- Knowledgeable in No Fault Applications, loss wages, and client reimbursements
- Intensive communication with clients regarding status and any further information required
- Research relevant information and perform other duties as deemed necessary
Paralegal
Stanton, Guzman, & Miller, LLP
Franklin Square
09.2014 - 06.2016
- Conduct new client intakes for Workers’ Compensation and Social Security Disability
- Correspondence with insurance carriers regarding client payments and medications
- Prepare files for hearings and confirm clientele presence
- Contact medical providers for up-to-date medical records
- Communicate with the Workers’ Compensation Board to address outstanding issues
- Schedule phone depositions with insurance carrier representatives and medical providers
- Draft, interpret, and translate documents to Spanish
Legal Assistant
Falk and Klebanoff, PC
West Hempstead
06.2012 - 09.2014
- Develop, organize, and invest in all legal files for settlement and trial
- Prepare responses to discovery demands in a timely manner
- Generate No-Fault applications and assist in all related inquires
- Serve as a lesion between the clientele and insurance carriers in the interest of the client
Education
Juris Doctorate -
Touro College, Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center
Central Islip, NY05.2023
Bachelor of Arts - Latin American Studies, History
New York University, College of Arts and Sciences
New York, NY05.2013
Skills
- Proficient in Spanish
- Computer literate (Microsoft Office, Adobe, Internet)
- Legal software (Saga, LexPI, SmartAdvocate, LIFE)
- Court filing procedures on NYSCEF, PACER, and Surrogate’s Court
- Team collaboration
- Independent work
- Multitasking
- Quick adaptability
- Organizational skills
- Time management
- Case management efficiency
- Legal writing excellence and research skills
- Attorney support
- Effective verbal and written communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Notary public
Timeline
Senior Paralegal
The Sanders Firm
06.2020 - 10.2025
Senior Paralegal
Brian J. Levy & Associates, PC
06.2016 - 01.2020
Paralegal
Stanton, Guzman, & Miller, LLP
09.2014 - 06.2016
Legal Assistant
Falk and Klebanoff, PC
06.2012 - 09.2014
Juris Doctorate -
Touro College, Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center
Bachelor of Arts - Latin American Studies, History
New York University, College of Arts and Sciences