Experience

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  Family Design Resources, Inc.

  • Erie County Office of Children and Youth Services

  • LSI Paralegal

    • Aug 2010 - Present
    • Erie County Office of Children and Youth Services

    Accomplishments:• Developed a proficient understanding of Child Welfare laws and regulations through trainings and self-education in a relatively short period, which enabled me to identify a number of more efficient and effective ways for the agency to utilize the talents of the LSI paralegal.• Developed, proposed and presented the workshop: County Agencies and Paralegals in Partnership for Permanency at the PA Permanency Conference in Lancaster, PA. (July 2013).Responsibilities: • Conduct fact investigation and analysis; Conduct background investigation of parties and witnesses; Obtain photographs, documents and physical evidence; Analyze documentary evidence; Draft complaint and necessary motions; Prepare nonparty discovery requests, subpoenas, public records requests, authorizations and release of records and conduct Internet public record research; Organize and analyze documents including medical records; Organize and prepare exhibits; Review and summarize records and transcripts; Draft correspondence to courts and others; Arrange for service of process; Obtain hearing dates and prepare notices of same; Draft final orders.• Assist with witness preparation: locate and interview witnesses including experts; prepare witness files, draft witness outlines and questions, prepare client for giving testimony. • Attend court and support the solicitor before and during with all aspects of hearing, including exhibits, witnesses, and notes regarding judge’s rulings. • Conduct legal research.• Research, develop, draft and propose new policies and procedures for the agency to ensure compliance with federal requirements. • Present trainings to the agency staff and to regional paralegals with regards to Court procedures.

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  Erie County Domestic Relations/Conference Office

  • Erie, Pennsylvania Area

  • Senior Conference Officer

    • Sep 2003 - Jul 2010
    • Erie, Pennsylvania Area

    Responsibilities of Senior Conference Officer: • Oversaw the Selection/Hiring, as well as, the training and development of all new Conference Officers. • Oversaw the daily activities of the Conference Officers and Administrative Assistants in conjunction with Conference Supervisor. • Prepared performance evaluations and oversaw the management of all staff including the record keeping of all personnel data.• Reviewed and interpreted the Code of Federal Regulations, PA Rules of Civil Procedure, Pennsylvania Bulletin, Erie County Legal Journal to instruct staff on changes and updates.• Researched, developed and wrote policies and procedures for the Conference Department.• Provided confidential guidance, counseling, resources and support to both union and non-union employees in relation to challenges in the work environment so as to successfully accomplish their assignments. Role of Conference Officer:• Investigated and analyzed child and spousal support cases and initiated administrative action to facilitate enforcement of Child Support Laws. • Conducted mediation support conferences.• Negotiated and prepared support orders and recommendations premised on the Support Guidelines of Pennsylvania, relevant Case Law, and the parties’ individual circumstances.• Interfaced with Judges, attorneys, clients and the public on a daily basis.

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  Acheivement Center and Cornell Abraxas, Behavioral Health Division

  • Erie, Pennsylvania Area

  • Therapeutic Staff Support

    • Nov 2001 - Sep 2003
    • Erie, Pennsylvania Area

    Therapeutic Staff Support • Provided one on one mental health interventions to a child/adolescent with a serious emotional disturbance, social, and/or behavioral problem.• Provided therapeutic support to parents and other responsible adults in their efforts to provide direct supervision, structure and limits for the child.• Provided leadership and served as a role model for clients, parents, and support staff.

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  LEVINE LAW OFFICE

  • Erie, Pennsylvania Area

  • Paralegal

    • Apr 1994 - Mar 1997
    • Erie, Pennsylvania Area

    • Oversaw daily activities of the law office; supervised legal secretary. • Conducted initial factual interviewing of clients and on-site investigation of incidents• Prepared draft pleadings, motions, legal memoranda, settlement documents, complaints, interrogatories and answers, and required adoption documents. • Scheduled and prepared parties for depositions and supervised follow-up procedures.• Interfaced with attorneys and clients on a daily basis.