Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Hobbies and Interests
Timeline
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Sonjia D. Kirk

Sonjia D. Kirk

New Orleans,Louisiana

Summary

Experienced business professional, attorney, and Louisiana licensed and ordained minister dedicated to community service. Recognized for pro bono work with the Pro Bono Project and mentorship through Volunteers of America, earning Volunteer of the Year accolades from the Jefferson Parish School Board. Successfully secured grants totaling $100,000 and $210,000 for the Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools Summer Enrichment Program post-Katrina as Director. Currently with Acumen Services, LLC, providing essential legal research and drafting pleadings for attorneys in primary areas of personal injury, successions, wills and trusts. Assisting businesses in the development and drafting of business articles, and making application for nonprofit status under Section 501(c) of the IRS code.

Overview

34
34
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Paralegal and Administrative Services Provider

Acumen Services, LLC
01.2023 - Current
  • Responsible for:
  • Preparing the proper articles necessary for the formation of business entities through various Secretaries of State and registering those businesses and securing EINs for each when registered with the IRS.
  • Filing documents for tradenames, trademarks, and amendments, as necessary.
  • Preparing and applying for necessary business licenses and permits.
  • Preparing banking packets for business clients for new accounts, loans and other lines of credit.
  • Preparing applications in accordance with section 501of Internal Revenue Code section 170, to establish nonprofit, community, and other tax-exempt charitable organizations.
  • Searching and making applications for grant funding for charitable organizations.
  • Assisting with end-of-year summaries, calculations and documents necessary for tax filings.
  • Preparing administrative succession documents for signature and notarization and drafting succession pleadings for filing by attorney in court matters.
  • Drafting wills and trust documents for clients to review with attorney.
  • Performing research and drafting initial and responsive pleadings for various attorneys, in state and federal court on a contract basis.

Attorney

Law Offices of Sonjia Kirk & Associates, LLC
01.2001 - 09.2022
  • As the managing attorney, I was responsible for:
  • Handled intricate cases in Contracts, Estate Planning, Family Law, Personal Injury, Business Law, and Criminal Law.
  • Formulated legal advice and meticulously planned case trajectories from beginning to end.
  • Managed and developed staff to enhance client service experience.
  • Handled client cases involving contingency fees and hourly billing with precision.
  • Adopted a proactive strategy for discovery.
  • Developed legal strategies to protect client interests and resolve disputes.
  • Negotiated settlements of disputes and litigation.
  • Developed strategies and arguments for hearings, trials and appeals.
  • Presented compelling oral arguments in court hearings and trials that resulted in favorable rulings for clients.
  • Managed complex caseloads effectively by prioritizing tasks and keeping organized records of case materials.
  • Enhanced the reputation of the law firm through active participation in community legal outreach programs.
  • Provided pro bono services to underrepresented populations within the community, ensuring access to quality legal representation for all individuals regardless of income level or background status.
  • Developed strong working relationships with opposing counsel, fostering a collaborative environment for dispute resolution.
  • Drafted comprehensive legal documents such as pleadings, motions, briefs, contracts, wills, and trusts for various clients.
  • Filed timely case pleadings to meet firm deadlines.
  • Conducted thorough due diligence investigations to uncover critical information pertinent to clients'' legal matters.

In-house Counsel

Ideal Markets
01.2014 - 10.2016
  • Managed ALL legal matters of the business, internal (employment matters) or external (customer, or business-initiated litigation)
  • Led legal strategies and compliance initiatives while working closely with the owners and senior leadership.
  • Managed contract negotiations while maintaining client confidentiality
  • Prepared and Administered contracts in the areas of Business Formation, Real Estate Transfers and Labor and Employment Law.
  • Managed and monitored cases referred to local counsel for litigation defense on behalf of Ideal Markets.
  • Counseled staff on complex legal issues and provided guidance towards resolution.
  • Streamlined contract negotiation process through implementation of standardized procedures.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to provide strategic guidance on business initiatives from a legal perspective.
  • Reduced legal risks for the company through thorough due diligence and efficient contract management.
  • Advised executive team on legal matters to ensure compliance with all relevant laws and regulations.
  • Assessed claims filed against or on behalf of company and worked with outside counsel and management to define and implement strategy.
  • Managed outside counsel relationships effectively, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality services within budget constraints.
  • Conducted internal investigations into potential misconduct, taking swift corrective action as needed to protect the company''s reputation.

Paralegal

Hall Booth Smith, Pc
06.1999 - 09.2001
  • Liaised with other paralegals and legal staff to complete common tasks on schedule.
  • Improved document organization by implementing a comprehensive file management system for easy access to essential case materials.
  • Helped attorneys prepare for trial by organizing exhibits and calling on witnesses to testify at hearings.
  • Edited and proofread legal documents to verify accuracy.
  • Reduced attorney workload by drafting routine legal documents such as pleadings, motions, and affidavits.
  • Prepared legal briefs, motions, and pleadings.
  • Summarized depositions, legal documents and other material to provide attorney with relevant material for cases.
  • Maintained up-to-date knowledge of changes in laws or regulations relevant to practice areas through continuous professional development opportunities such as seminars or webinars.
  • Managed scheduling of court calendars and deadlines to maintain smooth flow of firm operations.
  • Expedited document review process by conducting initial reviews of key documents for relevance and privilege status.
  • Saved firm resources by conducting cost-effective legal research using both traditional library resources and online databases such as LexisNexis or Westlaw.
  • Conferred with clients and other involved parties to gather and track case information.
  • Communicated with clients, opposing counsel and court personnel to keep all parties informed on case updates.
  • Assisted counsel in preparing answers, providing documentation, and information for discovery request.
  • Enhanced case efficiency by organizing and maintaining legal documents, files, and correspondence.
  • Facilitated timely and accurate billing by recording billable hours, expenses, and other relevant information in the firm''s billing system.
  • Streamlined communication between clients and legal staff by managing client inquiries promptly and professionally.
  • Promoted a positive work environment by providing training and guidance to junior paralegals or interns as needed.
  • Improved client trust and satisfaction, providing comprehensive support and updates throughout case progression.

Managing Paralegal

Mccalla Raymer Padrick Cobb Nichols & Clarl
02.1997 - 06.1999
  • Developed the firm’s first Default Monitor Department which increased from 1 to 9 employees during my employment
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop strategies for managing complex bankruptcy cases with mortgages backed by Freddie and Mac.
  • Oversaw a diverse caseload, managing post-petition payment deadlines and priorities with minimal supervision, ensuring timely and effective case resolutions.
  • Optimized internal workflows, implementing organizational systems that streamlined case management procedures.
  • Maintained strict adherence to regulatory guidelines, ensuring full compliance with federal and state bankruptcy laws.
  • Spearheaded training initiatives for new team members, sharing industry insights and best practices to enhance productivity levels.
  • Increased default resolution efficiency by streamlining bankruptcy review processes and documentation management.
  • Developed professional relationships with bankruptcy attorneys, trustees, other legal counsel and bankruptcy court personnel.

Child Support Enforcement Specialist

Child Support Services of Georgia
04.1996 - 02.1998
  • Enhanced child support enforcement processes by implementing effective case management strategies.
  • Collaborated with legal teams to prepare cases for court hearings, ensuring comprehensive documentation of evidence.
  • Monitored ongoing cases closely for changes in payer circumstances that may affect existing support agreements or require modifications.
  • Developed customized payment plans for delinquent payers, increasing compliance rates and reducing arrears balances.
  • Educated clients about their rights and responsibilities within the child support system, empowering them to make informed decisions about their cases.
  • Assisted colleagues in managing complex caseloads by providing guidance on best practices for handling difficult situations effectively and efficiently.
  • Utilized advanced research techniques to gather pertinent information from various sources, improving case outcomes.
  • Conducted thorough investigations to locate non-custodial parents and enforce child support orders accurately.
  • Established strong working relationships with key stakeholders, including local agencies and employers, to facilitate effective enforcement actions.
  • Provided exceptional customer service by addressing queries and concerns of clients in a timely manner.
  • Negotiated settlements between parties, fostering amicable resolutions and expediting the enforcement process.
  • Maintained meticulous records of all case-related activities, ensuring data integrity and accuracy at all times.
  • Streamlined communication channels for sharing vital information among team members, resulting in improved efficiency.

Language Arts & English Instructor

St. Louis Cathedral Elementary School
01.1991 - 05.1992
  • Responsibilities included teaching 7th and 8th grades; goal setting and lesson planning; provided tutoring on weekends as a supplement to classroom time.

Education

Juris Doctor - undefined

Southern University Law Center
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
05.1995

Associates - Paralegal Studies

University of New Orleans Paralegal Institute
New Orleans, Louisiana
05.1992

Bachelor of Arts - English, Business Administration

Xavier University of Louisiana
12.1990

Skills

  • Ability to operate independently in a fast-paced environment
  • Research legal issues and prepare initial and responsive pleadings
  • Ability to work collaboratively across teams
  • Strong negotiation skills
  • Ability to build legal framework of new businesses from the ground up
  • Strong interpersonal skills
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Strong strategic capabilities
  • Exceptional legal understanding with the ability to provide practical advice
  • Exuberant personality that is motivating to others
  • Tendency to adopt a positive outlook in most situations, no matter how challenging
  • Proficiency in Office 365, Clio and MyCase Legal Management Software, with some exposure to Relativity Litigation Software
  • Ability to complete tasks timely, if not before their deadlines

Certification

  • Admission to the Louisiana State Bar Association (October 1996)
  • Licensed and ordained as a Minister of the Gospel and certified in the State of Louisiana (September 2016)
  • Certified Paralegal, University of New Orleans Paralegal Studies (May 1992)

Hobbies and Interests

I love flower arranging, gardening, jewelry making, cooking, and spending time with my spouse and dogs.

Timeline

Paralegal and Administrative Services Provider

Acumen Services, LLC
01.2023 - Current

In-house Counsel

Ideal Markets
01.2014 - 10.2016

Attorney

Law Offices of Sonjia Kirk & Associates, LLC
01.2001 - 09.2022

Paralegal

Hall Booth Smith, Pc
06.1999 - 09.2001

Managing Paralegal

Mccalla Raymer Padrick Cobb Nichols & Clarl
02.1997 - 06.1999

Child Support Enforcement Specialist

Child Support Services of Georgia
04.1996 - 02.1998

Language Arts & English Instructor

St. Louis Cathedral Elementary School
01.1991 - 05.1992

Juris Doctor - undefined

Southern University Law Center

Associates - Paralegal Studies

University of New Orleans Paralegal Institute

Bachelor of Arts - English, Business Administration

Xavier University of Louisiana

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