Legal Secretary
Open To Work
Yessenia Lara
Hill, Rugh, Keller & Main, P.L.
Orlando,FL
Work Preference
Desired Job Title
Legal Assistant – Complex Civil Litigation / Insurance DefenseParalegal – Insurance DefenseLegal Assistant – Medical Malpractice & Personal InjuryTemporary Legal & Administrative AssistantNational Onboarding Specialist
Location Preference
HybridRemote
Location:
Orlando, FL, USDeLand, FLDaytona Beach, FLMiami, FLValrico, FL
Open to relocation:
Yes
Important To Me
Career advancementWork-life balanceFlexible work hoursHealthcare benefitsWork from home optionPaid time offPaid sick leave401k match4-day work weekStock Options / Equity / Profit Sharing
Experienced Legal Assistant with over five years in litigation across civil, construction insurance defense, and personal injury sectors. Expertise in case management, trial preparation, discovery coordination, and legal calendaring. Currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice at the University of Central Florida, aiming to transition into criminal law.
6
Years of experience
Work History
Legal Assistant – Complex Civil Litigation / Insurance Defense
1 Year 11 Months
Hill, Rugh, Keller & Main, P.L. | 08.2024 - Current
- Support a Partner and Associate in complex construction insurance defense, premises liability, and personal injury litigation.
- Coordinated attorney calendars, managing scheduling for hearings, depositions, mediations, arbitrations, and court deadlines to ensure efficient case progression.
- Manage attorney calendars and coordinate hearings, depositions, mediations, arbitrations, and court deadlines.
- Prepared, reviewed, and electronically filed pleadings, motions, notices, discovery, and legal correspondence via Florida E-Filing Portal, ensuring compliance with procedural requirements.
- Coordinate trial preparation, maintain organized case files, and assist attorneys throughout the litigation process.
- Communicate professionally with clients, opposing counsel, court personnel, experts, and vendors regarding scheduling and case logistics.
- Facilitated communication with clients, opposing counsel, court personnel, experts, and vendors regarding scheduling and case logistics, fostering collaborative relationships.
Paralegal – Insurance Defense
2 Years 2 Months
Leeper & Associates | 06.2022 - 08.2024
- Supported five litigation attorneys in a high-volume insurance defense practice.
- Managed subpoenas, medical records, billing records, Notices of Intent, and litigation documentation to support case preparation.
- Coordinated depositions, mediations, hearings, and attorney calendars, ensuring timely and organized proceedings.
- Maintained PIP logs and organized medical documentation for litigation matters.
- Utilized Aderant Total Office, TrialWorks, and PC Law to manage case files efficiently.
- Assisted attorneys with litigation strategy and trial preparation, contributing to case effectiveness and readiness.
Legal Assistant – Medical Malpractice & Personal Injury
1 Year 1 Month
Colling Gilbert Wright & Carter, LLC. | 04.2021 - 05.2022
- Supported attorneys handling plaintiff medical malpractice and personal injury matters.
- Coordinated client communications and scheduled litigation events to ensure timely progression of cases.
- Requested, reviewed, and organized medical and billing records to support case strategy and litigation needs.
- Assisted with pre-litigation case preparation and provided ongoing litigation support to facilitate effective legal representation.
- Maintained organized case files using Aderant Total Office.
Temporary Legal & Administrative Assistant
1 Year 3 Months
NorthStar Legal, Inc. | 01.2020 - 04.2021
- Completed legal support assignments for multiple law firms while gaining experience across various legal practice areas.
- Assisted with document preparation, file management, and administrative support.
National Onboarding Specialist
2 Years
The CSI Companies | 01.2018 - 01.2020
- Managed onboarding operations across multiple regional markets.
- Coordinated payroll adjustments, compliance requirements, background screenings, and drug testing.
- Developed Excel reports and tracking tools to improve onboarding efficiency.
- Assisted in supervising workflow and compliance for a team supporting multiple clients.
- Coordinated office operations and community fundraising initiatives.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice
University of Central Florida
01-2026
Expected Graduation: Fall 2026
Associate of Arts - Legal Studies
Valencia College
01-2024
Skills
Litigation Support
Case Management
Trial Preparation
Discovery Coordination
Deadline management
Florida E-Filing Portal
Arbitration & Docket Management
Insurance Defense Billing
CERTIFICATIONS & COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Volunteer Supporter, Cannonball Kids Cancer Foundation
Timeline
Legal Assistant – Complex Civil Litigation / Insurance Defense
Hill, Rugh, Keller & Main, P.L.
08.2024 - CurrentRead more
Paralegal – Insurance Defense
Leeper & Associates
06.2022 - 08.2024Read more
Legal Assistant – Medical Malpractice & Personal Injury
Colling Gilbert Wright & Carter, LLC.
04.2021 - 05.2022Read more
Temporary Legal & Administrative Assistant
NorthStar Legal, Inc.
01.2020 - 04.2021Read more
National Onboarding Specialist
The CSI Companies
01.2018 - 01.2020Read more
Valencia College - Associate of Arts, Legal Studies
Read more
University of Central Florida - Bachelor of Science, Criminal Justice
Read more