VALERIE A. BARAJAS

lnacy0@r.postjobfree.com 847-***-****

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Law Office of the Public Defender, Chicago, IL

Administrative Assistant II-Reader October 2014-Present

Assist visually-impaired Assistant Public Defender with all aspects of legal representation to clients

Prepare daily briefings about cases scheduled for the day

Provide written documentation of all work done regarding cases such as court appointment, research, interviews, jail visits, document preparation, motions and court appearances

Prepare statistics; tabulate daily cases and dispositions

Communicate with clients, attorneys, judges and a wide variety of individuals of diverse backgrounds and education

Read aloud various documents such as transcripts, motions, common law records and reports of proceedings

Conduct legal research and effectively compile, assemble, and relate the contents thereof

Physically escort visually-impaired Assistant Public Defender to court, interview rooms, lock-ups, jails and other facilities

Assist in the conduct of investigations

Analyze information about a case and relay that information to the Assistant Public Defender

Assist in all aspects of trial preparation, both jury and bench trials

Act as a liaison between Assistant Public Defender and clients, Assistant State’s Attorneys, Judges, and clients while at the bench

Jim Beam Brands Co., Deerfield, IL

Legal Assistant February 2012-September 2014

Support SVP General Counsel, VP Associate General Counsel, Associate General Counsel, (2) Assistant General Counsel, Counsel & Director Intellectual Property

Trusted with highly confidential documents

Maintain department files/contracts database

CARPLS Legal Aid, Chicago, IL

Client- Intake Coordinator June 2010-January 2012

File responses, motions, and briefs for Municipal cases

Conduct client intake and interviews, as well as conflicts of interest

Work closely with clients updating them on case status or status of legal referrals

Prepare, interpret, and translate legal documents

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

Robert Morris University of Illinois, Chicago, IL May 2011

Bachelor of Business Administration, Concentration: Law Office Administration/Paralegal Studies

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

GPA 3.92

magna cum laude

Dean’s List (every quarter)/Honor’s Program

National Paralegal Society

Inducted into Lambda Epsilon chi (LEX)

Sigma Beta Delta International Society