Mental Health Advocacy
Yesenia A. Guilfuchi
Orlando,FL
Summary
Criminal Defense Paralegal with strong skills in writing, organizing and project managing cases related to Criminal Defense and Family law. Proficient in conducting legal research, collecting witness statements and organizing files. I am ambitious and driven to provide exceptional administrative support and customer service.
Overview
1
1
Language
2
2
years of post-secondary education
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
Criminal Defense/Special Victims/Seal and Expunge
Fighter Law Firm P.A
Orlando, FL
01.2021 - Current
- Responsible for leading in the departments in Criminal Defense, Special Victims and Seal and Expunge.
- Assisted the Special Victim Counsel to develop and litigate cases involving sexual assault, child abuse, and domestic violence cases.
- Participated in victim and witness interviews, conducted legal research, provided discovery and managed case files.
- Prepared and filed motions and/or orders for judges' signatures, including correspondence, pleadings, discovery and affidavits.
- Coordinated meetings between attorneys and clients, phone conferences, and schedule of court hearing dates.
- Managed all case files and evidence both electronically and in hard copy through stages of discovery and trial.
- Assisted in deposition preparation, pre-trial investigations, trial preparation, including assistance with preparation of witnesses for deposition and/or trial.
- Manage vendor relationships, such as billing for court reporters and process servers.
- Maintain organizational and professional communication with attorneys and clients from point of referral and discovery to trial.
- Maintained superior client relations, effectively responding to needs with thorough follow-up.
- Contacted law enforcements agencies and obtained necessary information such as public records requests.
- Coordinated trial exhibits by organizing materials, writing documentation and preparing digital materials and displays.
- Reviewed case files and reported case progress to clients.
- Promoted firm's value and brand, and researched legal market to target new accounts.
Criminal Defense/Injunction/Seal and Expunge
Fighter Law Firm, P.A
Orlando, FL
01.2019 - 12.2020
- Prepared interrogatories, requests for admissions, requests for production of documents and requests for examination or inspection.
- Conducted skip traces to obtain case participant information.
- Trained and managed 7 employees in best practices and protocols to realize maximum productivity.
- Interviewed and prepared intake sheets for clients in Spanish and English.
- Organized key evidence exhibits to prepare for trials.
- Handled office scheduling and made notes for deadlines, motions and other important dates.
- Prepared and filed motions and/or orders for judges' signatures, including correspondence, pleadings, discovery and affidavits.
- Coordinated meetings between attorneys and clients, phone conferences, and schedule of court hearing dates.
- Managed all case files and evidence both electronically and in hard copy through stages of discovery and trial.
- Proven ability to perform autonomously with little supervision while demonstrating sound judgment.
- Assisted in deposition preparation, pre-trial investigations, trial preparation, including assistance with preparation of witnesses for deposition and/or trial.
- Maintain organizational and professional communication with attorneys and clients from point of referral and discovery to trial.
- Contacted law enforcements agencies and obtained necessary information such as public records requests.
- Reviewed case files and reported case progress to clients.
- Implemented emergency procedures to save time and spearhead specific legal projects.
Criminal Defense Paralegal
Fighter Law Firm P.A.
Orlando, FL
03.2018 - 12.2018
- Prepared and filed motions and/or orders for judges' signatures, including correspondence, pleadings, discovery and affidavits.
- Coordinated meetings between attorneys and clients, phone conferences, and schedule of court hearing dates.
- Managed all case files and evidence both electronically and in hard copy through stages of discovery and trial.
- Developed and implemented new procedures such as creating an electronic case management systems to improve work productivity and effectiveness throughout the office.
- Assisted in deposition preparation, pre-trial investigations, trial preparation, including assistance with preparation of witnesses for deposition and/or trial.
- Contacted law enforcements agencies and obtained necessary information such as public records requests.
- Coordinated trial exhibits by organizing materials, writing documentation and preparing digital materials and displays.
Clerk IV
State Attorney Office, 9th Circuit
Orlando, FL
06.2017 - 03.2018
- Assigned as a project manager for special projects, at the request of the Chief Assistant State Attorney and Executive Director.
- Carried out administrative duties such as filing, typing, copying, binding, scanning, etc.
- Resolved administrative problems and inquiries.
- Supported office staff and executive with general operational tasks.
- Suggested changes to office task workflow to improve efficiency.
- Worked independently and within a team on special nonrecurring and ongoing projects.
- Proofread for spelling, grammar, and layout, making appropriate changes.
- Destroying or archiving finished data/records.
- Establish record retention and disposal schedules.
- Responded to information inquiries, giving appropriate access to information.
- Assisted departments with the development of new document categories and fields for storage.
- Worked with the Records Management Coordinator to determine departmental records needs.
- Conducted document redactions and withholding records from the public records exemptions.
Witness Coordinator
State Attorney Office, 9th Circuit
Orlando, FL
08.2016 - 06.2017
- Established contact with all parties involved in assigned cases, to include investigative activities in locating witnesses and victims and maintain accurate addresses and telephone numbers for the attorney.
- Worked with Assistant State Attorney’s in prosecuting the case by verifying availability and placing victims, witnesses, law enforcement personnel on standby for the trial period.
- Explained to the victims/witnesses the court system, courtroom procedures, and expectations and responsibilities incumbent on individuals participating in court cases.
- Arranged transportation for witnesses/victims.
- Notified witnesses when court cases that are “rolled,” continued and closed.
- Maintained schedule of law enforcement officers’ vacation time to coordinate subpoenas for court.
- Performed other duties of a similar or related level as necessary or assigned.
- Managed filing systems for electronic and hard copy documents to keep organized records.
- Established and updated work schedules to account for changing staff levels and expected workloads.
- Kept projects on schedule by managing deadlines and adjusting workflows as needed.
Legal Assistant
State Attorney Office 9th Circuit
Orlando, FL
11.2014 - 08.2016
- Worked alongside attorneys, administrative assistants and fellow legal assistants on complex cases and legal processes.
- Performed data entry required to track case progress and history.
- Preparing and processing legal documents and records.
- Drafted correspondences, court orders, investigative reports, office memorandums, subpoenas and expense vouchers.
- Maintaining control records on the incoming correspondence and action documents.
- Tracking and following up on work in process to ensure timely reply or action.
- Locating and pulling case files on the court calendar, preparing for Assistant State Attorney to take to court.
- Answering telephone calls and resolving or routing appropriately.
- Reading incoming mail, and handling or routing appropriately.
- Performing all clerical work related to a particular phase of the supervisor’s program, maintaining all records, and composing correspondence relative to the office.
- Performing related work as required.
- Cross-trained in the areas of Gen.
- Felony, ECU, SVU and HOM/MC.
Clerk
State Attorney Office, 9th Circuit
Orlando, FL
09.2014 - 11.2014
- Tracking and following up on work in process to ensure timely reply or action.
- Locating and pulling case files on the court calendar, preparing for Assistant State Attorney to take to court.
- Answering telephone calls and resolving or routing appropriately.
- Reading incoming mail, and handling or routing appropriately.
Office Manager
Kings Service Solutions, LLC
Orlando, FL
09.2013 - 08.2014
- Managed projects and conducting research.
- Preparing and editing correspondence, reports, presentations and minute meetings.
- Supervised over 50 employees.
- Maintained employee’s confidence and protects operations by keeping human resource information confidential, processing certifications, insurance certifications.
- Provided payroll information by collecting time and attendance records.
- Kept physical files and digitized records organized for easy updating and retrieval by authorized team members.
- Sourced vendors for special project needs and negotiated contracts.
- Established efficient workflow processes, monitored daily productivity and implemented modifications to improve overall effectiveness of personnel and activities.
- Oversaw office inventory activities, including ordering and requisitions, stocking and shipment receiving.
- Monitored and evaluated personnel performance to complete annual reviews, recommend advancement or address productivity concerns.
- Maintained computer and physical filing systems.
Education
High School Diploma -
Penn Foster Career School
Scranton, PA 01.2006 - 08.2006
Associate of Arts -
Valencia College
Orlando, FL 01.2020 - Current
Skills
Proficient in MS Office
Exceptional writer
Document preparation
Criminal law
Document filing
Organization and Time management
Cultural awareness
Excellent work ethic
Adaptability
Teambuilding
Computer skills
Affiliations
Focused and highly motivated management/legal professional, with 7 years of extensive experience in administrative/legal office management, paralegal work and legal assistance.
Forward-looking thinker, who actively seeks opportunities and proposes solutions.
Interests
Timeline
Criminal Defense/Special Victims/Seal and Expunge
Fighter Law Firm P.A
01.2021 - Current
Associate of Arts -
Valencia College
01.2020 - Current
Criminal Defense/Injunction/Seal and Expunge
Fighter Law Firm, P.A
01.2019 - 12.2020
Criminal Defense Paralegal
Fighter Law Firm P.A.
03.2018 - 12.2018
Clerk IV
State Attorney Office, 9th Circuit
06.2017 - 03.2018
Witness Coordinator
State Attorney Office, 9th Circuit
08.2016 - 06.2017
Legal Assistant
State Attorney Office 9th Circuit
11.2014 - 08.2016
Clerk
State Attorney Office, 9th Circuit
09.2014 - 11.2014
Office Manager
Kings Service Solutions, LLC
09.2013 - 08.2014
High School Diploma -
Penn Foster Career School
01.2006 - 08.2006