Experience

• 

  Coastline Community College

  • Special Grants

    • Feb 2012 - Present

    Review and analyze Grants/Statements of Work to determine grant program requirements. Audit files to detect deficient controls, duplicate effort, and non-compliance with laws, regulations, grant terms and conditions, statement of work,company policies and procedures to recommend changes in operations. Develop Standard Operating Procedures for purpose of implementing best practices. Develop standardized audit criteria/forms for purpose of collecting data and creating and maintaining a database regarding program compliance.

• 

  Robert Half Legal

  • Recruiting Candidate

    • 2011 - 2012

• 

  Kia Motors America, Inc.

  • Corporate Paralegal

    • Aug 2011 - Nov 2011

    Drafted, reviewed and negotiated company contracts (i.e. service agreements, license agreements, sponsorship agreements, amendments, and addendums, etc.) Managed the department electronic system for matter intake assignment and the system process for approval and execution of all company contracts. Prepared weekly status reports regarding pending and completed department matters. Conducted advisory research, collaborated across financial business units, and obtained new product information for trademark registration and contract finalization. Conducted research and prepared reports regarding status/history of contracts/vendors. Fielded inquiries regarding status of specific contracts/vendors.

• 

  Law Offices of Francine B. Kelly & Associates

  • Paralegal

    • Apr 2011 - Aug 2011

    Reviewed Third Party case files, interviewed clients and witnesses, conducted research and investigation for purpose of drafting pleadings, motions, and discovery responses. Reviewed, analyzed and prepared status of case file for purpose of assisting counsel in making determination of best approach for resolution of subrogation cases. Drafted demand letters, complaints, discovery, discovery responses and default packages in subrogation cases.

• 

  Michael Maguire & Associates

  • Costa Mesa, California

  • Sr. Paralegal

    • Feb 1997 - Feb 2011
    • Costa Mesa, California

    CIVIL LITIGATION:Handled cases with medium to high exposure, preparing discovery responses, interviewing witnesses and clients, conducting site inspections, and trial preparation. Assisted with preparation of appellate briefs, conducting research and investigation, proofreading and cite checking. Prepared insureds for small claims trials; analyzed evidence and facts and exercised independent judgment in preparing trial briefs and exhibitis for insureds. Actively coached and instructed insureds in the smalls claims process and method of presenting their case to the judge. Prepared content-specific PowerPoint presentations for roundtable presentation to claims personnel. Collaborated with preparation of civil litigation paralegal manual for the firm. Assisted law and motion attorney in preparation of section of in-house law summary, and material handouts for in-house MCLE seminars.WORKERS' COMPENSATION LITIGATION:Prepared motions to compel depositions, medical evaluations and sucessfully argued motions to Workers' Compensation Judges at walk-through hearings. Accurately compiled and organized voluminous exhibits for trial. Attended lien conferences and presented arguments to Workers' Compensation Judges in an attempt to resolve multiple liens in a high volume caseload. Evaluated and verified status of multiple lien claimants on high volume caseload. Analyzed lien claims and determined successful arguments in preparation of litigating lien claims. Determined and prepared applicable stipulations and issues for completion of pre-trial conference statement to be filed at the lien conference hearings. Negotiated liens with multiple lien claimants on high volume caseload. Prepared and presented PowerPoint presentation to claims personnel regarding types of hearings at the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board.

• 

  Munoz, Borris & Associates

  • Anaheim, California

  • Office Manager/Paralegal

    • 1991 - 1996
    • Anaheim, California

    OFFICE MANAGER:Conducted accounting functions for the office including accounts receivables/account payables. Manage all office functions in operating a law office. Communicate with attorneys, clients, witnesses, court personnel, judges, and experts. Manage supply inventory. Maintain calendar for all attorneys. PARALEGAL:Conduct research for preparation of pleadings, motions, and discovery. Interview clients and witnesses. Draft pleadings, motions, and discovery. Conduct settlement negotiations.

• 

  McDonnell Douglas Aircraft

  • Long Beach, California

  • Contract Administrator

    • 1986 - 1990
    • Long Beach, California

    Collaborated with technical business units, and pricing/estimating business units in preparation of Requests for Proposals. Monitored compliance with contract requirements. Drafted periodic reports outlining progress and compliance with contract requirements. Extensive interaction with internal/external customers, technical personnel, and executive management. Maintained contract database. Assisted in the development of company specific contract database with software consultant. Previously issued security clearance.