Paralegal 4

• Nov 2022 - Present

• Manage various legal projects concurrently throughout entire project life cycle; develop project scope and schedule; identify and mitigate risks; coordinate department wide project portfolios and timelines, ensuring proper prioritization of resources to meet project goals and delivery dates; gather project metrics and provide status reports to senior leadership.• Provide secretarial and executive level assistance to of General Counsel; perform various administrative tasks, including managing calendars, scheduling appointments, coordinating meetings, and organizing travel arrangements for eight attorneys and various agency staff.• Conduct gap analyses to identify areas of opportunity; developed and implemented standard operating procedures (SOPs) to assist with cross training and onboarding new employees, thereby streamlining work processes, and increasing organizational efficiency.• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and various business units as necessary to meet agency wide demands.o Work with the Finance Department to monitor budgets up to $2M and maintain DOAS purchasing standards.o Coordinate with HR and IT to meet the Legal Department’s needs.• Assist in the management of litigation and other legal proceedings, including conducting legal research, responding to subpoenas and discovery requests, coordinating with outside counsel, and managing document collection and review processes.• Gather and analyze data, statutes, decisions, legal articles, and other documents applicable to legal matters, providing defense from the standpoint a respondent.• Utilize strategic leadership expertise to lead a team of 15 staff members; created team objectives and roles with specific goals outlined for everyone; manage schedules and assign tasks; collaborate with department head on meetings to discuss processes and gauge performance; render recommendations based on evaluation, as needed. Show less

Paralegal 3

• Oct 2021 - Nov 2022

Paralegal Pretrial

• Sep 2019 - Nov 2021

• Promoted to Paralegal Pretrial after three years of employment as a direct result of exemplary and strategic thought leadership.• Supported four attorneys by serving as back-up for client interviews and simultaneously conducting other general administrative tasks (e.g., calendar and case management); • Established and maintained case files; drafted legal documents and correspondence, summarizing and explained cases and issues; reviewed, proofread, and edited lengthy and complex legal documents; filed pleadings and paperwork with court clerk to meet strict deadlines.• Participated in 20 client interviews weekly, observed questioning process, and documented information.• Oversaw distribution of weekly reports regarding case statuses to attorneys, helping them manage caseloads; monitored jail list on a biweekly basis to ensure no inmates who should have been released slipped through judicial pitfalls.• Examined secondary sources, statutory and case law, and federal and state regulations via expert utilization of WestLaw and LexisNexis.• Contributed significant efforts to process improvement by working with the district attorney's office to shorten the length of the pretrial diversion program; developed a log of cost-efficient programs that the district attorney’s office would approve to help indigent clients. Show less

Second Chance Program Coordinator

• Jun 2016 - Sep 2019

• Established and directed department’s Second Chance Initiative Program; developed program scope and plans; scheduled and developed activities in accordance with program needs and objectives; managed team of three staff.o Assisted 200+ citizens with record expungement.o Provided advocacy to remove barriers and help clients develop a path to reentry as needed.• Spearheaded program evaluation efforts, identifying weaknesses and developing and implementing solutions to ensure smooth operations.• Collaborated with community leaders, organizations, and public agencies to promote programs within the community.• Researched and analyzed issues in criminal law from the defense perspective, successfully restricting 30+ records that went before the court.• Utilized proficiency in database management, spreadsheets, and other computer software to increase program organizational efficiency. Show less

Paralegal

• Jun 2014 - Jun 2016

• Drafted and prepared voluminous Chapter 7 and 13 bankruptcy petitions, including determining state exemptions and Chapter 13 plans. • Drafted and filed bankruptcy motions, orders, and pleadings in court. • Act as a liaison between trustees and clients to resolve the Trustee’s Motion to Dismiss and other pleadings • Prepared and filed Proofs of Claim, reviewed Chapter 13 Plans, coordinated and maintained motion calendar and negotiated and drafted payment plans with Debtors and their attorneys. Show less

Paralegal Intern

• May 2014 - Jun 2014

• Researched and analyzed issues in criminal law from the defense perspective. • Aided in trial preparation of voluntary manslaughter case. • Drafted criminal pleadings, discovery preparation and administration, jury instructions, voir dire, subpoenas and appeals • Managed personal injury cases in preparation for demands and pre-suit resolution, including correspondence with insurance carriers • Researched and analyzed issues in criminal law from the defense perspective. • Aided in trial preparation of voluntary manslaughter case. • Drafted criminal pleadings, discovery preparation and administration, jury instructions, voir dire, subpoenas and appeals • Managed personal injury cases in preparation for demands and pre-suit resolution, including correspondence with insurance carriers