Perform legal research and writing for Criminal Defense lawyer, including interrogatories, briefs, memos, client correspondence.
Conduct client intake and prepare memo for lawyer's review re cases.
Interacted with Court staff, investigators, and clients re discovery, scheduling, and Pre-trial hearings and motions.
Health Program Specialist
Orange County Health Care Agency, DUI Court & Diversion Programs
Santa Ana, CA
06.2021 - Current
Provide programmatic, administrative, and fiscal oversight and monitoring of Orange County State Contract Driving Under the Influence (DUI) programs as required by Title 9, Chapter 3 of the California Code of Regulations for programs for alcohol and drug impaired drivers.
Perform OC County Monitor and Auditor responsibilities of DUI Court Programs, PC1000 and PC1210 programs and support the Substance Use Disorder Services and Mental Health Services.
Position is instrumental in ensuring that clients receive quality services in a safe environment and in monitoring the programmatic and fiscal integrity of each program.
The Health Program Specialist (HPS) is administrative and assists in planning, organizing, and coordinating specialized projects such as Driving Under the Influence (DUI) program within a specific program area as well as other work as required.
The HPS requires significant degree of independence and skill in interacting with the public, partner agencies, community groups, and judicial officers, management, and staff to exchange information necessary for development and administration of assigned program responsibilities.
Further, the HPS prepares reports on program activities and performance results data; monitors conformance with program requirements; utilizes spreadsheets and databases to track and carryout projects; summarizes and presents information on program development; facilitates monthly and quarterly DUI providers monitors meetings via WebEx and Teams platforms; monitors and coordinates work of clerical support staff assigned to the program.
Legal Secretary
County Counsel, County of Orange
Santa Ana, CA
08.2021 - 08.2021
Provided administrative and secretarial support to 2 County Counsel Deputies.
Eligibility Technician
Orange County Social Services Agency, Assistance Programs
Santa Ana, CA
02.2020 - 06.2021
Assisted individuals, families and children residing in Orange County, California with various OC County Assistance Programs such as CalFresh (Food Stamps) with enrollment and maintaining on-going eligibility.
Responsibilities also included conducting interviews, evaluating information, and preparing accurate reports related to public assistance fraud investigations in collaboration with the Public Assistance Fraud Unit of the OC District Attorney.
Paralegal / Legal Assistant
McGonigle & Hunsaker, LLP (Certified Elder Law Specialists)
Santa Ana, CA
08.2019 - 11.2019
Conducted intake interviews of prospective Estate Planning and Conservatorship clients, drafted estate planning, wills, trusts, and conservatorship documents, interacted with clients on regular basis, and performed other Paralegal related tasks.
Expanded Learning Teacher I
Fairmont Elementary School, Placentia Yorba Linda Unified School District
Yorba Linda, CA
05.2019 - 08.2019
Provided academic instruction and childcare for class of 20-24 kindergarten and first grade students.
Office Assistant
Hacienda La Puente Unified School District (HLPUSD)
Hacienda Heights, CA
09.2010 - 05.2011
Performed administrative tasks, include letter writing, supporting eight Guidance Counselors in fast paced setting.
Utilized general office skills, addressed incoming calls, provided customer service to office staff, students, and parents.
Long-term assignment Substitute Teacher
Whittier City School District (WCSD)
Whittier, CA
09.2004 - 05.2009
Fulfilled on-call short to long-term teaching assignments for elementary school classrooms throughout WCSD.
Criminal Justice Analyst / Program Specialist IV
Countywide Criminal Justice Coordination Committee (CCJCC), Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors
Los Angeles, CA
05.1998 - 05.2003
Performed various complex Senior Staff Analyst responsibilities supporting CCJCC's mission to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the local criminal justice system by strengthening interagency communication, cooperation, and coordination as detailed below.
Analyzed and made recommendations for the solution of highly complex problems in administration of specialized Countywide programs, specifically monitored and evaluated a variety of criminal justice countywide programs.
Prepared reports and presented findings and recommendations to line managers and monthly CCJCC meetings attended by County government leaders and local, State, and federal law enforcement.
Coordinated with LA County and other local leaders and staff for program development and implementation.
Prepared grant applications, oversaw, managed, and created spreadsheet of budget, and reported monthly, quarterly, and annual project status to Federal and local government agencies.
Performed CCJCC administrative support and worked closely with staff of other County departments and local law enforcement agencies to coordinate projects.
Provided daily customer service and interacted daily with public with courtesy and respect.
Supervised staff of four including junior analysts and administrative assistants.
Experienced in consulting with and providing advice and guidance to operating departments in the more sensitive matters of program administration.
Worked closely with outside vendors and stakeholders; interpreted the County Charter, the County Code, State laws and policies of the central agency.
Conferred with representatives of other governmental jurisdictions and private firms to exchange information and to meet specified goals of criminal justice studies/projects.
Represented the division, the department, and the County in meetings, hearings, conferences or workshops.
Responsibilities also included carrying out assignments in programs such as administrative investigation, risk management, employee relations, emergency management, productivity, protocol, budget, legislation, workplace programs, and Countywide marketing.
Knowledgeable of administration and supervision, leadership ability, and skills in working with others effectively and managing subordinates and junior staff.
Performed policy, issue and legislative analysis, wrote grant proposals, and prepared monthly and annual project status and budgetary analysis.
Coordinated and/or conferred with local, State, and federal leaders and elected officials, and staff for program development and implementation.
Developed and monitored complex countywide projects; wrote grant applications & Request for Proposals (RFP).
Provided daily administrative and in-person and phone customer service with public and government personnel.
Wrote speaking points for elected officials re new criminal justice legislation.
Supervised 3-4 subordinates including junior Analysts and an Administrative Assistant.
Judicial Assistant / Court Clerk
Los Angeles Superior Court, Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center
Los Angeles, CA
01.1990 - 12.1998
Assisted Superior Court Judge and managed daily operation of all courtroom ministerial activities; supervised supporting clerical staff; helped train and evaluate new Judicial Assistants.
Worked closely with judges, commissioners, attorneys, jurors, and Court personnel; provided high volume daily customer service and interacted and helped public with general information needs and telephonic inquiries.
Acted as Criminal Courtroom Operations Supervisor prior to promoting to Board of Supervisors, Analyst/Program Specialist.
As pro tem Criminal Operations Supervisor, supervised, managed, and evaluated performance of 10-18 criminal Courtroom Clerks/Judicial Assistants.
Approved vacation requests, and disciplined and counseled Court clerks as needed.
Timeline
Legal Secretary
County Counsel, County of Orange
08.2021 - 08.2021
Health Program Specialist
Orange County Health Care Agency, DUI Court & Diversion Programs
06.2021 - Current
Paralegal (Part-time)
Law Offices of James M. Crawford
06.2020 - Current
Eligibility Technician
Orange County Social Services Agency, Assistance Programs
02.2020 - 06.2021
Paralegal / Legal Assistant
McGonigle & Hunsaker, LLP (Certified Elder Law Specialists)
08.2019 - 11.2019
Expanded Learning Teacher I
Fairmont Elementary School, Placentia Yorba Linda Unified School District
05.2019 - 08.2019
Office Assistant
Hacienda La Puente Unified School District (HLPUSD)
09.2010 - 05.2011
Long-term assignment Substitute Teacher
Whittier City School District (WCSD)
09.2004 - 05.2009
Criminal Justice Analyst / Program Specialist IV
Countywide Criminal Justice Coordination Committee (CCJCC), Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors
05.1998 - 05.2003
Judicial Assistant / Court Clerk
Los Angeles Superior Court, Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center