Vanessa Lopez
COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO
San Diego,CA
1
Language
19
years of professional experience
Dedicated administrative professional, seeking a growth opportunity to enrich and expand my experience, while contributing strong organizational skills and extensive Legal Secretarial experience to the success of the organization.
Work History
Criminal Legal Secretary III - Family Protection Division
1 Year 3 Months- Provide secretarial administrative support to Division Chief and Assistant Chief.
- Manage Conference Room Reservations and calendars, answer and screen telephone calls from public, law enforcement agencies, defense counsel, and branches seeking information about case activity.
- Assist prosecuting attorneys. Provide legal secretarial support, format and file motions with Superior court, serve defense counsel.
- Prepare court calendars, review odyssey system for preparation of court calendar, verify add-on cases and keep attorneys informed of upcoming events.
- Update Case Management System (CMS) to reflect court hearing activity.
- Prepare and process Discovery, digital and hard copy.
- Review Motions/Petitions research upload to JELS system, and route to appropriate DA for timely response.
- Prepare digital case files for prosecution, once case has been issued.
- Process case access requests from Probation staff, serving as liaison for DDA's & Probation Department.
- Prepare Criminal Protective Orders, Transcribe Interviews, Witness Testimonies, 911 Activity, Jail Calls, and any/all communication that may serve as evidence in Trial Prosecution.
- Prepare legal documents, Jury instructions, assist with motions, petitions, under DDA’s directives.
- Supervise legal support staff, monitor workflow and arrange coverage.
- Review & approve staff’s time in KRONOS, review and approve fiscal forms such as parking or tuition reimbursement.
- Prepare Performance Appraisals for staff under my supervision.
- Prepare Legal support assignment charts, update division telephone roster.
- Provide reception coverage, assist law enforcement agencies dropping off reports, and/or meeting with DDA’s, Paralegals, or Investigators.
- Provide backup coverage for mail runs, sort and distribute mail for the unit.
- Prepare and process witness claim reimbursement forms, coordinate with fiscal department.
- Attend Supervisory meetings, and Trainings.
Criminal Legal Secretary III - Gang Prosecution Division
3 Years 3 Months- Oversee legal support staff, assign tasks, coordinate and provide coverage as needed.
- Assist Deputy District Attorney’s with formatting, preparing, and filing motions with Superior Court, serve defense attorneys with the same.
- Prepare legal documents, petitions, jury instructions, briefs, motions, to be filed with Superior Court.
- Prepare and process walk through warrants.
- Update CMS System, enter court case activity, Prepare and process Digital & Report Discovery; Receive Motions/Petitions research save in JELS system, and route to appropriate DA for response.
- Prepare digital case files for prosecution, once case has been issued.
- Process case access requests from Probation staff, serving as liaison for DDA's & Probation Staff.
- Transcribe Interviews, Witness Testimonies, 911 Activity, Jail Calls, and any/all communication that may serve as evidence in Legal Prosecution.
- Manage Conference Room Reservation Calendars for Gang Unit.
- Answer telephone calls from public, law enforcement agencies, and branches seeking information on case activity, i.e. Provide reception coverage, assist law enforcement agencies dropping off reports, or meeting with DDA’s, Paralegals, or Investigators.
- Provide backup coverage for mail runs, sort and distribute mail for the unit.
- Prepare and process witness claim reimbursement forms, coordinate with fiscal department.
- Attend Supervisory meetings, and Trainings.
Criminal Legal Secretary III - Department’s Assistant Chief Secretary
1 Year 6 Months- Provide Legal/Administrative support to the Division’s Assistant Chief.
- Answer inquiries from law enforcement and liaisons; maintain calendars and set appointments.
- Reserve conference rooms for the branch.
- Coordinate monthly Law Enforcement Investigative meeting, keep records for the same.
- Attend monthly management meeting, prepare minutes.
- Manage Petty Cash for the branch; Prepare fiscal expense forms, compile verifications, and coordinate with fiscal department for reimbursement.
- Supervise Legal support staff and student workers.
- Review and approve KRONOS for staff under my Supervision.
- Prepare sensitive legal documents, correspondence, prepare and file petitions for case dismissal and file with court.
- Prepare briefs, letters, and reports.
- Prepare and process Discovery for high profile cases, assist assistant Chief with case preparation.
- Prepare and process U-Visa Petitions, and coordinate with HOJ office for completion.
- Assist in Translating legal documents from Spanish to English language.
- Transcribe/translate criminal audio CD/Tapes, 911 calls, interviews with witnesses/victims.
- Oversee Archiving project for the branch, identify and digital archive case files as applicable following legal digital archive guidelines.
- Train and supervise Student workers assisting with the same.
Criminal Legal Secretary III - Misdemeanor Unit Supervisor
3 Years 6 Months- Oversee Calendar preparation, CMS Updates of court results, and Subpoena Preparation for Misdemeanor cases.
- Prepare performance evaluations, Approve staff’s time on Kronos.
- Provide Misdemeanor Attorney’s with clerical support as may be needed.
- Train staff, prepare manuals, prepare organization charts for unit coverage, and oversee flow and needs of unit.
Criminal Legal Secretary III – CLS Unit Supervisor
1 Year 11 Months- Supervise CLS’s for South Bay branch including, Family Protection, Motions and Gang cases.
- Responsible for overseeing tasks including CMS event entries, Felony court calendar preparation, assisting with subpoena processing, and assisting staff during absences.
- Prepare organizational charts for unit and implement back-up coverage system.
- Review and file Motions by comparing references to ensure legal citing accuracy by using CA Legal Manual; prepare verdict forms, Jury instructions, Subpoenas, Orders to produce defendants in State custody, Writs for defendants in Federal custody.
- Provide backup support to all CLS’s desks as needed.
Criminal Legal Secretary II - Division Chief Secretary
3 Years 2 Months- Assist Division Chief’s, monitor direct phone line, maintain calendar and set appointments.
- Reserve conference rooms, coordinate monthly Law Enforcement Investigative meeting.
- Prepare fiscal expense verifications, type sensitive legal documents, correspondence, briefs, letters, and reports as needed.
- Attend monthly management meeting, prepare minutes.
- Maintain records of Prison case activity in Access program verify information for accuracy and generate monthly report.
- Provide administrative support to Chief as needed.
- Purchase and maintain all the office supplies for the branch.
- Process petitions of demands for speedy resolution of pending charges pursuant to PC1381, VC41500, PC1203.2.
- Communicate with Court officials, law enforcement, and act as liaison for these matters.
- Translate legal documents from Spanish to English language.
- Transcribe/translate criminal audio CD/Tapes, 911 calls, interviews with witnesses/victims.
- Assist in all areas of legal support.
Criminal Legal Secretary II - Family Protection Division
1 Year- Provide direct secretarial support to three Deputy District Attorneys.
- Revise and file motions in a timely manner according to CA Rules of Court.
- Prepare electronic/manual subpoenas, criminal protective orders, SDT’s, Orders to Produce Defendant’s from State Custody, and Writs when in Federal Custody.
- Redact and file motions and legal documents to court in a timely manner.
- Complete and file WIC 827 petitions of juvenile records, Prepare Jury Instructions, verdict forms, process electronic discovery requests, update CMS database with court action and disposition, process prior record requests from the court.
- Answer telephones, provide information to law enforcement and external agencies of case activity.
- Assist with all areas of clerical legal support.
Criminal Legal Secretary II - Division Chief’s Secretary
1 Year 5 Months- Assist Chief, answer his direct line, maintain calendars, and set appointments.
- Reserve conference rooms, coordinate monthly Law Enforcement Investigative meeting.
- Prepare fiscal expense verifications, type sensitive legal documents, correspondence, briefs, letters, and reports as needed.
- Attend monthly management meeting, prepare minutes.
- Maintain records of Prison case activity in Access program verify information for accuracy and generate monthly report.
- Provide administrative support to Chief as needed.
- Purchase and maintain all the office supplies for the branch.
- Update manual and instructions for the same as well as train fellow staff for backup support.
- Process petitions of demands for speedy resolution of pending charges pursuant to PC1381, VC41500, PC1203.2.
- Communicate with Court officials, law enforcement, correctional facilities, and act as liaison for these matters.
- Translate legal documents from Spanish to English language.
- Transcribe/translate criminal audio CD/Tapes, 911 calls, interviews with witnesses/victims.
Criminal Legal Secretary I-II - Superior Court Division
2 Years 9 Months- Provide direct secretarial support to prosecuting attorneys.
- Prepare Subpoenas, Orders to Produce defendants in State custody, and Writs for federal custody.
- Redact and file motions and legal documents in a timely manner.
- Complete and file WIC 827 petitions of juvenile records, Prepare Jury Instructions, verdict forms, process electronic discovery requests, update CMS database with court action and disposition, process prior record requests from the court.
- Answer telephones, provide information to law enforcement and external agencies of case activity.
- Assist with all areas of clerical legal support.
Education
General courses
Office Procedures/Data Entry Specialist
Graduating February 1996
Skills
Proficient in PC programs & Data-base systems to include:
Word
Excel
Outlook
Power Point
Adobe Acrobat Pro
Publisher
CMS
SD Law
JURIS
JELS
ODYSSEY
Serve-U
Kronos
Start Stop Universal
Typing 52 NWPM
LANGUAGE SKILLS
Verbal and written fluency in Spanish and English languages.
PROFILE
- Goal oriented and dedicated, highly motivated self-starter.
- Ability to manage and facilitate a timely and cost-effective completion of assigned projects.
- Extensive analytical and problem-solving skills with ability to achieve strategic objectives.
- Excellent verbal and written communications skills with strong interpersonal skills at all levels.
- Dedicated team player, able to work independently or in a rapidly changing environment.
Timeline
Criminal Legal Secretary III - Family Protection Division
COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO
05.2025 - CurrentRead More
Criminal Legal Secretary III - Gang Prosecution Division
COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO
02.2022 - 05.2025Read More
Criminal Legal Secretary III - Department’s Assistant Chief Secretary
COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO
08.2021 - 02.2023Read More
Criminal Legal Secretary III - Misdemeanor Unit Supervisor
COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO
02.2018 - 08.2021Read More
Criminal Legal Secretary III – CLS Unit Supervisor
COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO
03.2016 - 02.2018Read More
Criminal Legal Secretary II - Division Chief Secretary
COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO
01.2013 - 03.2016Read More
Criminal Legal Secretary II - Family Protection Division
COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO
01.2012 - 01.2013Read More
Criminal Legal Secretary II - Division Chief’s Secretary
COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO
08.2010 - 01.2012Read More
Criminal Legal Secretary I-II - Superior Court Division
COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO
11.2007 - 08.2010Read More
EL DORADO COLLEGE
Office Procedures/Data Entry Specialist
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SOUTHWESTERN COMMUNITY COLLEGE
General courses
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