Suzana Elias
Jacksonville
Summary
Legal professional with experience in litigation support, case management, and legal document preparation. Proven ability to manage complex caseloads, meet critical deadlines, and support successful case outcomes in fast-paced, high-pressure environments.
Overview
2
2
years of post-secondary education
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
LITIGATION ASSISTANT
Zwicker and Associates PC
Jacksonville
03.2025 - 07.2026
- Drafted, reviewed, and filed pleadings, motions, and court documents.
- Managed litigation matters from case initiation to resolution, ensuring thorough preparation and timely progression through each phase.
- Prepared attorneys for hearings and trial proceedings.
- Tracked court deadlines, ensuring compliance with procedural rules to prevent delays in case processing.
- Maintained case files and coordinated follow-up actions with courts to facilitate case management and enhance attorney readiness.
REFUGEE CASE MANAGER
Lutheran social service of NEF
03.2022 - 02.2025
- Administered cash assistance and stipend programs, facilitating financial support for eligible clients.
- Maintained accurate case documentation, ensuring compliance with federal program requirements and enhancing service delivery.
- Assisted clients with EAD, SSN, and Green Card applications.
- Processed and disbursed stipend payments according to federal regulations, ensuring timely support for clients.
PUBLIC OPINION RESEARCHER, UNIVERSITY OF NORTH FL
American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR)
Jacksonville
02.2021 - 12.2023
- Conducted nationwide public opinion surveys to gauge voter sentiment on elections, legislation, and public policy issues, informing strategic decisions.
- Interviewed U.S. residents, collecting quantitative research data through structured survey methods to enhance understanding of public perspectives.
- Contributed to research projects informing policymakers, organizations, and academic institutions.
- Reviewed and revised research documents for accuracy and confidentiality, ensuring compliance with research protocols and safeguarding participant information.
- Reviewed, redacted, and revised research documents to ensure accuracy and confidentiality.
- Redlined reports and survey materials to track edits and maintain document quality.
JUVENILE MITIGATION ASSISTANT
Office of Public Defender Office
Jacksonville
11.2022 - 03.2023
- Collected juvenile background records from various sources.
- Conducted visits to juveniles in prison to assess their needs.
- Collected comprehensive jail, prison, and probation/parole records to inform legal proceedings
- Collected civil, criminal, and bankruptcy court records for case evaluation.
REFUGEE LEGAL CASE ASSISTANT
Lutheran social service of NEF
12.2021 - 06.2022
- Drafted asylum addendums and supporting documentation to strengthen case presentations.
- Conducted client interviews and case intake assessments to gather essential information for legal proceedings.
- Processed cases efficiently to meet deadlines.
REMOTE JURY BAILIFF
Florida Judicial Circuit Court
12.2020 - 04.2022
- Facilitated courtroom operations and managed juror processes to ensure smooth proceedings.
- Verified juror credentials for court proceedings.
- Managed juror ID verification for remote jury selection to maintain security and integrity.
- Contributed to project research and planning to enhance case preparation and efficiency.
- Communicated effectively with team members and stakeholders.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Political Science (Concentration: American Law)
University of North Florida
FLBachelor of Science - International Studies
University of North Florida
FLAssociate of Arts - Spanish Language And Literature
University of North Florida
Jacksonville, FL 08.2022 - 12.2024
Skills
- Court filings
- Discovery procedures
- Legal research
- Case analysis
- Legal writing
- Ethics compliance
- Client communication
Languages
Swahili - Fluent, Portuguese - Advanced, Kirundi - Advanced, kibembe - Fluent
Timeline
LITIGATION ASSISTANT
Zwicker and Associates PC
03.2025 - 07.2026
JUVENILE MITIGATION ASSISTANT
Office of Public Defender Office
11.2022 - 03.2023
Associate of Arts - Spanish Language And Literature
University of North Florida
08.2022 - 12.2024
REFUGEE CASE MANAGER
Lutheran social service of NEF
03.2022 - 02.2025
REFUGEE LEGAL CASE ASSISTANT
Lutheran social service of NEF
12.2021 - 06.2022
PUBLIC OPINION RESEARCHER, UNIVERSITY OF NORTH FL
American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR)
02.2021 - 12.2023
REMOTE JURY BAILIFF
Florida Judicial Circuit Court
12.2020 - 04.2022
Bachelor of Science - Political Science (Concentration: American Law)
University of North Florida
Bachelor of Science - International Studies
University of North Florida