Suzanne Karelsen
Stanwood
Summary
Dynamic Legal Administrative Specialist with extensive experience at the Dept. of the Interior Bureau of Indian Affairs. Expert in legal document preparation and probate case submission, enhancing workflow efficiency. Proven ability to train staff and maintain confidentiality while fostering strong relationships with clients and colleagues. Committed to delivering high-quality results under tight deadlines. Excellent management skills
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Legal Administrative Specialist
Dept. of the Interior Bureau of Indian Affairs
Portland
07.2008 - Current
- Managed legal documents and correspondence for compliance with federal regulations.
- Coordinated scheduling and logistics for internal meetings and hearings.
- Developed filing systems to enhance organization and retrieval of case files.
- Drafting of legal Reopening and Rehearings, reports, and memorandums.
- Researched probate family histories and location of individuals for retrieval of various documents required for the probate to submit to an Indian Probate Judge necessary for a hearing and written decision.
- Trained new staff on office procedures and document management systems.
- Streamlined workflow processes to improve efficiency in administrative tasks and various probate processes
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to support departmental initiatives effectively. OHA, BTFA, Various Tribes
- Monitored deadlines for all ongoing cases using calendaring software to ensure prompt compliance with court orders and statutory requirements.
- Maintained organized electronic databases of legal resources, streamlining research efforts for the entire probate team.
- Streamlined legal document processing by implementing efficient filing and organizational systems.
- Managed sensitive client information with discretion and confidentiality, maintaining trust between clients and the probate team.
- Collaborated with other support staff to complete high-priority projects within tight deadlines.
- Reduced errors in legal documents by meticulously proofreading and editing drafts before submission.
- Completed data entry of legal documents into electronic filing systems.
- Developed and maintained positive relationships with clients and colleagues.
- Prioritized and handled multiple assignments and maintained firm commitment to deadlines.
- Worked closely alongside Probate Managers in a Task Lead position.
Education
Associate of Arts - Medical Nurse
Edmonds Community College
Lynnwood, WA06-1995
Skills
- Probate Case Submission to OHA
- Office administration
- Legal document preparation for Probate Cases
- Legal research of family
- Training Probate Specialists in probate systems and Land Title and Records
- Review all probate cases ready for submission
- Work closely with the Legal Team ie Judges, Paralegals, Legal Attorneys
- Legal research
- Document review
- Legal writing
- Legal document preparation
- Court filings
Timeline
Legal Administrative Specialist
Dept. of the Interior Bureau of Indian Affairs
07.2008 - Current
Associate of Arts - Medical Nurse
Edmonds Community College