Paralegal/Legal Secretary
Trish Fidler
Springfield,MO
Summary
Paralegal motivated to continually improve and extend personal skills and knowledge to attain increased responsibility and opportunities for professional growth. Detail-oriented team player with strong organizational skills. Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously with a high degree of accuracy. Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals.
Overview
35
35
Work History
Paralegal
Wallace Saunders, P.C.
Springfield, Missouri
01.2022 - Current
- Interviewed clients to obtain information relevant to cases.
- Edited and proofread legal documents to verify accuracy.
- Conducted background investigations on defendant.
- Researched statutes, decisions, legal articles, and codes.
- Prepared legal briefs, motions, and pleadings.
- Assisted attorneys with reviewing and organizing witness reports.
- Contacted witnesses to testify under oath at court hearings.
- Assisted in preparation of settlement proposals and agreements to help attorneys negotiate settlement in best interest of client.
- Contacted clients to schedule appointments and discuss progress of cases.
- Developed polished motions and briefs to support litigation processes and court proceedings.
- Helped attorneys prepare for trial by organizing exhibits and calling on witnesses to testify at hearings.
- Wrote and filed pleadings with Circuit and Federal courts on schedule to maximize case success.
- Examined and generated memos on statutory law, case law and federal and state regulations using online research databases, such as Westlaw and print sources.
- Collaborated with attorneys to develop strategies for each case.
- Liaised with other paralegals and legal staff to complete common tasks on schedule.
- Managed scheduling of court calendars and deadlines to maintain smooth flow of firm operations.
- Communicated pertinent information to clients via phone, email, and mail.
- Researched and analyzed legal issues and cases to provide accurate advice to clients.
- Maintained and updated organized client contact information to keep in touch with clients and provide updates on cases.
- Attended court hearings and depositions to take notes and document proceedings.
- Revised and finalized letters, briefs, and memos.
- Conducted detailed client intakes and entered information into company database.
- Communicated with clients, opposing counsel and court personnel to keep all parties informed on case updates.
- Reviewed, edited and proofread litigation for proper grammar, spelling and punctuation.
- Conferred with clients and other involved parties to gather and track case information.
- Assisted counsel in preparing answers, providing documentation, and information for discovery request.
- Produced legal documents such as briefs, pleadings and appeals.
- Summarized depositions, legal documents and other material to provide attorney with relevant material for cases.
Legal Secretary/Paralegal
Franke Schultz & Mullen, P.C.
Springfield, Missouri
06.2021 - 01.2022
- Prepared legal correspondence and wrote professional letters for legal assistants and attorneys.
- Generated documents and presentations using large repertoire of software programs.
- Developed and maintained positive relationships with clients and colleagues.
- Assisted with preparation of trial materials and documents.
- Communicated professionally with clients, colleagues and legal partnership verbally and in writing.
- Created and printed legal documents for attorneys to review.
- Produced and filed various legal documents and electronically preserved updated case record system.
- Completed accident reports, trial and courtroom requests and applications for clients.
- Arranged for delivery of legal correspondence to clients, witnesses, and court officials.
- Received and placed telephone calls to clients and prospective clients.
- Scheduled all appointments, appearances and briefings.
- Obtained signatures from attorneys for legal documents.
- Researched and identified legal precedents and statutes.
- Screened telephone calls and forwarded to appropriate departments.
- Prioritized and handled multiple assignments and maintained firm commitment to deadlines.
- Transcribed legal documents and phone conversations.
- Conducted research on legal cases and prepared summaries for attorneys.
- Answered and directed calls using multi-line switchboard.
- Developed and maintained filing and retrieval systems.
- Completed data entry of legal documents into electronic filing systems.
- Transcribed information from typed or handwritten notes, shorthand or dictation and confirmed accuracy and correct formatting of documents.
- Filed documents with courts on behalf of attorney.
- Organized files for court proceedings.
- Diligently edited legal correspondence for grammar and spelling.
- Created, indexed, and maintained client binders.
- Scheduled and made appointments for 3 attorneys.
- Composed contracts, pleadings and motions in accordance with established guidelines.
Legal Secretary/Paralegal
Burger Law Firm
Murfreesboro, Tennessee
08.2005 - 05.2021
- Managed check requests, expense reimbursement requests, invoices and accounts payable and receivable information.
- Planned and organized internal and external events, meetings and conferences.
- Prepared legal correspondence and wrote professional letters for legal assistants and attorneys.
- Generated documents and presentations using large repertoire of software programs.
- Developed and maintained positive relationships with clients and colleagues.
- Assisted with preparation of trial materials and documents.
- Communicated professionally with clients, colleagues and legal partnership verbally and in writing.
- Created and printed legal documents for attorneys to review.
- Produced and filed various legal documents and electronically preserved updated case record system.
- Completed accident reports, trial and courtroom requests and applications for clients.
- Arranged for delivery of legal correspondence to clients, witnesses, and court officials.
- Received and placed telephone calls to clients and prospective clients.
- Scheduled all appointments, appearances and briefings.
- Obtained signatures from attorneys for legal documents.
- Researched and identified legal precedents and statutes.
- Screened telephone calls and forwarded to appropriate departments.
- Prioritized and handled multiple assignments and maintained firm commitment to deadlines.
- Transcribed legal documents and phone conversations.
- Conducted research on legal cases and prepared summaries for attorneys.
- Answered and directed calls using multi-line switchboard.
- Developed and maintained filing and retrieval systems.
- Completed data entry of legal documents into electronic filing systems.
- Transcribed information from typed or handwritten notes, shorthand or dictation and confirmed accuracy and correct formatting of documents.
- Filed documents with courts on behalf of attorney.
- Organized files for court proceedings.
- Diligently edited legal correspondence for grammar and spelling.
- Created, indexed, and maintained client binders.
- Scheduled and made appointments for 2 attorneys.
- Composed contracts, pleadings and motions in accordance with established guidelines.
Education
No Degree - Public Relations
Missouri State University
Springfield, MOHigh School Diploma -
Stockton High School
Stockton, Missouri05.1983
Skills
- Legal Research
- Litigation Support
- Case File Preparation
- Court Transcription
- Project Management
- Trial Proceedings
- Evidence Gathering
- Online Databases
- Document Control Support
- Proficiency in MS Office
- Subpoena Service
- Case Management
- Risk Management
- Corporate Law
- Legal Compliance
- Data Repositories
- Confidentiality Understanding
- Strong Research Skills
- Commercial Litigation
- Exhibit Preparation
- Administrative Support
- Data Collection
- Legal Jargon Knowledge
- Motion Preparation
- Criminal Law
- Legal Case Files
- Meeting Preparation
- Brief Development
- Credit Disputes
- Marital Settlement Agreements
- Case Summaries
- Troubleshooting Complex Problems
- Motions Drafting
- Office Administration
- File and Records Management
- Financial and Estate Planning
- Team Oriented
- Conflict Mediation
- Account Administration
- Client Support
- Postage Meter
- Legal Precedent
- Court Policies and Programs
- Healthcare Terminology
- Project Organization
- Identifying Client Goals
- Oral Arguments
- Expertise in Legal Proceedings
- Deadline Monitoring
- Review of Pleadings
- Court Document Filing
- Settlement Statements
- Assisting Lawyers
- Work Assignments
- Reading Comprehension
- Exhibit Organization
- Electronic Discovery
- Managing Service Level Agreements
- Microsoft Applications
- Court Depositions
- Legal and Court Processes
- Document Statements
- Research Facts
- Federal Guidelines
- Case Logistix
- Marketing Strategies
- Client Correspondence
- Manage Schedules
- Drafting Correspondence
- File Pleadings
- Proofreading
Limitless Church Serve Team Member
Assisted in the organization and beginning of Limitless Church, while continuing to serve as a team member
Timeline
Paralegal
Wallace Saunders, P.C.
01.2022 - Current
Legal Secretary/Paralegal
Franke Schultz & Mullen, P.C.
06.2021 - 01.2022
Legal Secretary/Paralegal
Burger Law Firm
08.2005 - 05.2021
No Degree - Public Relations
Missouri State University
High School Diploma -
Stockton High School