TARA M. GRAHAM
Court Clerk
Pendergrass,Georgia
Summary
Detail-oriented Court Clerk with over 25 years of experience documenting proceedings, identifying issues with cases and recommending amendments or solutions. Thorough administrative staff with tact and devotion to judicial process, drafting all necessary documents before and after hearings with specificity and timeliness. Successful implementor of organization systems to categorize and file confidential documentation securely and systematically.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Court Clerk
Athens-Clarke County Unified Government
Athens, Georgia
01.2019 - Current
- Assisting Judges in court with preparing issuing court orders, judgments and other actions.
- Processed all online filings, created payment processing and case management ledger.
- Examined legal documents submitted to courts for adherence to laws and court procedures.
- Answered inquiries from general public regarding judicial procedures, court appearances and trial dates.
- Met with judges, lawyers and police officials to coordinate functions of court.
- Maintained court dockets and updated disposition of cases after court hearings and trials.
- Searched files and contacted witnesses, attorneys and litigants to obtain information for court.
- Monitored court proceedings for adherence to legal procedures and rules by attorneys and litigants.
- Prepared courtrooms for session by supplying courtroom with paper and pens, easels and electronic equipment.
- Processed over 2,300 dispossessory cases per year.
Judicial Assistant, Judge
Juvenile Court, Piedmont Judicial Circuit
Winder, Georgia
04.2018 - 01.2019
- Coordinate and maintain calendars to determine availability of courts, attorneys, litigants, and judge.
- Attended court proceedings to hear arguments and document necessary case information for judge's review.
- Review and approve appointed cases attorney's bills for payment, processing them.
- Maintaining statistical report of pro bono attorney’s fees paid out in order to budget for next physical year.
- Reviewed litigants financial affidavit to determine if they qualify for court appointed counsel by using Federal Poverty Guidelines.
- Prepared several opinions and briefs on Judge's behalf to minimize workload and gain drafting experience.
- Monitored court proceedings for adherence to legal procedures and rules by attorneys and litigants.
- Prepared written opinions to defend rationale of rulings and inform public of new legal precedent arising from case.
- Reviewed pleadings, motions and evidence to assess admissibility and relevance to case.
- Reviewed legal documents and memos to make determinations on pre-trial issues, motions and final rulings.
- Discussed, advised, and debated potential outcomes of juvenile court cases with judge.
Hostess and Server
Uncle Chet's BBQ
Jefferson , Georgia
09.2017 - 04.2018
- Arranged and prepared tables for customers to offer memorable experiences to guests and foster repeat business.
- Replenished food items, paper products and canned goods to keep pantry well-stocked during busy periods.
- Noted special patron requests and followed up with kitchen to confirm delivery.
- Explained menu items and suggested appropriate options for food allergy concerns.
- Bussed and reset tables to keep dining room and work areas clean.
- Used slow periods to restock supplies, ice, trays and delivery bags.
- Collected payment for food and drinks served, balanced cash receipts and maintained accurate cash drawer.
- Cultivated warm relationships with regular customers.
- Monitored dining room and guest flow to maximize table usage and minimize wait times by 50%.
Technology Support Technician
Jackson County Board of Education
Jefferson, Georgia
08.2014 - 08.2017
- Provide first tier technical support for West Jackson Elementary School with student and facility of 1,050.
- Helped streamline repair processes and update procedures for support action consistency.
- Minimize outage periods of technology based services and devices by 50%.
- Enforced system’s security policies, procedures, and practices.
- Maintains and updates inventory data base of technology in school system.
- Worked with software development team on reported errors and bugs on newly released software and assisted in deployment of release fixes.
- Configured hardware, devices and software to set up work stations for employees.
- Broke down and evaluated user problems, using test scripts, personal expertise and probing questions.
- Patched software and installed new versions to eliminate security problems and protect data.
- Maintained servers and systems to keep networks fully operational during peak periods.
- Removed malware, ransomware and other threats from laptops and desktop systems.
- Configured hardware, devices and software to set up work stations for employees.
- Patched software and installed new versions to eliminate security problems and protect data.
Executive Administrative Assistant
JC’s Compound Max, Inc
Flowery Branch, Georgia
08.2012 - 08.2014
- Responded to emails and other correspondence to facilitate communication and enhance business processes.
- Updated executives on changing business needs by thoroughly documenting internal and client meetings.
- Produced accurate office files, updated spreadsheets and crafted presentations to support executives and boost team productivity.
- Screened calls and emails and initiated actions to respond or direct messages for managers.
- Prepared documents, reports and presentations for executives and board members using advanced software proficiencies.
- Wrote and enforced administrative procedure plans to reduce errors and prevent process delays.
- Investigated topics and produced concise summaries use.
- Handled scheduling for executive's calendar and prepared meeting agenda and materials.
- Developed and maintained automated alert system for upcoming deadlines on incoming requests and events.
- Contacted over 50 vendors per month which increased revenue by 60%.
Legal Assistant
Smith, Gilliam, Williams & Miles
Gainesville, Georgia
07.2011 - 08.2012
- Prepared for trials, conducting legal research and drafting pleadings.
- Managed accounts and client records of clients, observing confidentiality and extreme discretion.
- Worked alongside attorneys, administrative assistants and fellow legal assistants on complex cases and legal processes.
- Organized key evidence exhibits to prepare for trials.
- Filed court documents and legal pleadings with court clerk on behalf of attorneys.
- Prepared case summaries for mediation conferences.
- Completed document revisions, court document filings, travel arrangements and client billing.
- Handled office scheduling and made notes for deadlines, motions and other important dates.
- Developed positive working relationship with courts, clients, law enforcement members and attorneys.
- Scheduled appointments, court appearances and depositions for busy law firm.
- Prepared over 50 settlement agreements in pending divorce cases per year.
Legal Assistant
Hulsey, Oliver & Mahar
Gainesville, Georgia
01.1997 - 07.2011
- Managed communication between counsel, clients and court.
- Gathered, organized and maintained case files.
- Prepared legal briefs, motions and pleadings.
- Scheduled meetings, hearing, mediations and settlement conferences.
- Actively participated in case conference, supervision, departmental and external meetings.
- Oversaw trial pleadings, notices, motions and discovery.
- Assisted counsel in preparing answers, providing documentation and information for discovery request.
- Prepared for trials, conducting legal research and drafting pleadings.
- Managed accounts and client records of clients, observing confidentiality and extreme discretion.
- Organized key evidence exhibits to prepare for trials.
- Worked alongside attorneys, administrative assistants and fellow legal assistants on complex cases and legal processes.
- Worked with mediation attorney in scheduling and resolving over 600 mediations.
Receptionist
Hulsey, Oliver & Mahar
Gainesville, Georgia
07.1991 - 01.1997
- Answered central telephone system and directed calls accordingly.
- Managed multiple tasks and met time-sensitive deadlines.
- Confirmed appointments, communicated with clients and updated client records.
- Monitored and screened visitors to verify accessibility to inter-office personnel.
- Sorted, received and distributed mail correspondence between departments and personnel.
- Kept reception area clean and neat to give visitors positive first impression.
- Answered and quickly redirected large volume of calls on central system.
- Greeted incoming visitors and customers professionally and provided friendly, knowledgeable assistance.
- Diligently edited legal correspondence for grammar and spelling.
- Scheduled and made appointments for 12 attorneys.
- Arranged for delivery of legal correspondence to clients, witnesses and court officials.
- Managed multiple tasks and met time-sensitive deadlines.
- Transcribed information from typed or handwritten notes, shorthand or dictation and confirmed accuracy and correct formatting of documents.
Education
Graduate -
Jackson County Comprehensive High School
Jefferson, GeorgiaSkills
- Complex Problem Solving
- Conflict Resolution
- Critical Thinking
- Case Management
- Legal and Court Processes
- Dependable and Reliable
- Microsoft Office
- Appointment Setting
- Task Prioritization
- Administrative Support
- Time Management
- Detail-Oriented
- Honest and Ethical
- Data Research and Compilation
Accomplishments
- Supported 5 high profile civil defense attorneys.
- Facilitated Juvenile Court's smooth transition to a paperless system.
- Used Microsoft Excel to develop inventory tracking spreadsheets.
- Supervised team of 3 staff members.
- Supported 3 Magistrate Court Judges.
- Collaborated with team of 10 in the development of court calendar.
Certification
- Current Notary Public
- Complete Microsoft Office, Word, Microsoft Power Point, Access, Excel and Pivots and Tables through the University of North Georgia.
- Completed State Training from the State of Georgia for Magistrate Court Clerks, June 2019.
- GCIC Certification
Timeline
Court Clerk
Athens-Clarke County Unified Government
01.2019 - Current
Judicial Assistant, Judge
Juvenile Court, Piedmont Judicial Circuit
04.2018 - 01.2019
Hostess and Server
Uncle Chet's BBQ
09.2017 - 04.2018
Technology Support Technician
Jackson County Board of Education
08.2014 - 08.2017
Executive Administrative Assistant
JC’s Compound Max, Inc
08.2012 - 08.2014
Legal Assistant
Smith, Gilliam, Williams & Miles
07.2011 - 08.2012
Legal Assistant
Hulsey, Oliver & Mahar
01.1997 - 07.2011
Receptionist
Hulsey, Oliver & Mahar
07.1991 - 01.1997
Graduate -
Jackson County Comprehensive High School