TERA MACALESTER
Tampa
Summary
Self-motivated and dedicated worker with extensive knowledge of legal terminology, general law, and legal proceedings. Exceptional organizational skills for managing multiple complex assignments. Drafts, reviews, and edits legal documents, conducts interviews, monitors schedules and deadlines, and prepares reports. Exercises independent judgment and decision-making abilities while maintaining confidentiality and upholding ethical standards. Resourceful team member experienced in a wide range of paralegal activities.
Civil litigation professional with proven track record in managing complex legal cases and supporting attorneys in trial preparation. Known for strong focus on team collaboration and achieving results in fast-paced environments. Expertise in legal research, document preparation, and client communication, combined with reliability and adaptability.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Litigation Legal Assistant
Bleakly Bavol Denman & Grace
07.2022 - 03.2023
- Provided assistance during all phases of the litigation process including depositions, witness preparation, building exhibits, briefs, motions, and investigative records review as needed
- Maintained pleadings and discovery indexes along with organizing exhibits, documents, evidence, briefs, and appendices
- Researched West Law for review and analysis of case law
Paralegal
Law Office of Linda Bellomo
01.2022 - 07.2022
- Assists attorney in preparing and organizing various legal documents for upcoming cases and trials
- Main duties include preparing affidavits and correspondence, discussing case details with attorney and clients and organizing different files for different legal proceedings
- Composing of pleadings, handling different aspects of discovery, E-Filing, hearing preparation, etc
Litigation Assistant
Gibbs & Parnell
10.2019 - 01.2021
- Interview and screen prospective clients
- Assist clients with questions and updates on their case
- Acquire medical records and bills and prepare medical chronologies, medical expense itemizations, deposition summaries, and demand packages
- Organize medical examinations, communicate with insurance carrier and opposing counsel, organize and summarize depositions, prepare medical chronologies and medical expense itemizations, prepare and compile discovery responses, prepare motions and demand letters, prepare settlement proposals and statements and trial preparation including witness preparation and exhibit lists
Settlement Coordinator
Wilkes & McHugh
10.2018 - 10.2019
- Begin the settlement process by verifying contract is valid, if the client is a Medicaid recipient or if the client is deceased who is the probate attorney
- Send out confirmation letters to clients, defense and referring attorneys
- Confirm expert invoices have been received and any costs from referring attorney
- Send Settlement Statements and Releases out to client for signature and follow up on any documents not received
- Send out settlement checks to clients, lienholders, probate and referring attorneys
- Communicate with clients regarding any settlement questions and disbursement of funds
- Answer questions regarding liens, send lien payments out and follow up on any lien satisfaction letters not received
- Close out files once all the funds have been disbursed and liens have been satisfied
Legal Assistant
Vanguard Attorneys
02.2016 - 05.2018
- Welcome guests and clients by greeting them in person or on the telephone; answer or direct inquiries
- Provide high level secretarial and administrative support to two attorneys
- Draft and manage correspondence
- Communicate daily with clients, insurance adjusters, doctors and attorneys
- Maintain attorney calendar by planning and scheduling conferences, teleconferences, depositions, and travel; record and monitor court appearance dates, pleadings, and filing requirements; monitor evidence-gathering; anticipate changes in litigation or transaction preparation requirements
Education
Associates in Arts Degree - Paralegal Studies
Keiser University
Tampa, FL01.2015
Skills
- Experienced in conducting legal research with WestLaw
- Electronic document management
- Proficient in MS Office applications
- Proficient schedule coordination
- Trial support expertise
- Licensed notary public
- Expertise in motion preparation
- Comprehensive trial readiness
- Motions preparation expertise
- Document & Spreadsheet Preparation
- Document organization
- Document editing
- Client engagement and support
- Efficient filing practices
- Comprehensive case analysis skills
- Legal research
- Digital document management
- Document drafting
- Facilitating effective witness interviews
- Proficient in negotiating settlements
Certification
- Digital Marketing Certification from University of South Florida
- Google Ads Measurement Certified
- Google Ads Search Certified
- Google Analytics Certified
- Hubspot Email Marketing Certified
- Notary Public, Florida, 2026-02-28
Timeline
Litigation Legal Assistant
Bleakly Bavol Denman & Grace
07.2022 - 03.2023
Paralegal
Law Office of Linda Bellomo
01.2022 - 07.2022
Litigation Assistant
Gibbs & Parnell
10.2019 - 01.2021
Settlement Coordinator
Wilkes & McHugh
10.2018 - 10.2019
Legal Assistant
Vanguard Attorneys
02.2016 - 05.2018
Associates in Arts Degree - Paralegal Studies
Keiser University
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