PROFILE

Solutions-focused, motivated Personal Injury Paralegal with a comprehensive background in case management, law office administration, legal/general research and IT troubleshooting. Ability to juggle multiple simultaneous projects while working under pressure in fast-paced environments, both solo and as part of a team. Highly versatile and detail-oriented, quickly masters new roles, responsibilities, technologies and environments. Reputation for integrity, problem solving abilities, work ethic and analytical skills. Nine years of experience in both plaintiff and defense personal injury law. Fluent in Russian and Ukrainian.

CORE COMPETENCIES

Legal Research • IT Proficiency & Troubleshooting • Problem Solving • Discovery •

Trial Preparation • Case Management • Relationship Building • Client Relations •

Critical Thinking • Decision-Making • General Research • Detail-Oriented

ACHIEVEMENT HIGHLIGHTS

* Improved operational efficiency and quality by resourcefully creating and implementing a system to track and manage Default Judgments.

* Served as an integral staff member in developing a streamlined house Metrics system to organize and track assignments to investigators and paralegals, which was instrumental to boosting office productivity.

* Played a key role in designing and testing the in-house custom-made program to replace MA3000.

* Trained, mentored and motivated the entire Legal Support Staff on utilizing the Excel MS application.

* Created centralized library of the current IME and Peer Review experts with their applicable CV’s.

* Troubleshot all types of MS Office difficulties experienced by paralegals and support staff.

* Provided expert help with all issues of file handling, scanning, working with images, and documents.

* Participated in creating new company logo: used software to design and enhance the text and images.

CAREER BACKGROUND

CALLAN, KOSTER, BRADY & BRENNAN, LLP. - New York, NY (2007-Present)

Paralegal and Research Assistant

Perform a broad range of both plaintiff and defense work. Provide legal support functions for partners and associates, with an emphasis on personal injury cases, including but not limited to, medical malpractice, professional and product liability, slip and fall, labor law, premises and automobile accidents. Participate in all aspects of case management, including handling initial client intakes, reviewing medical records and preparing client retainers. Handle all aspects of administrative assistant tasks such as scheduling meetings with experts, meeting with clients and evaluating accident sites. Drafting a wide spectrum of pleadings and various correspondence, including but not limited to, drafting Summons, Complaints and any and all Discovery demands and responses. Update clients regarding case strategies on plaintiff’s cases. Analyze case facts to determine strategies in obtaining medical records and expert transcripts. Set litigation budgets in accordance with information provided by managing attorney.

* Prepare medical chronology memos, process authorizations and obtain medical records and x-rays, designate doctors for IME and experts for Peer Review, and evaluate expert qualifications using ABMS, further illustrating exceptional multitasking and prioritizing abilities.

BAKER, MCEVOY, MORRISSEY & MOSKOVITS, P.C. - New York, NY (2001-2007)

Senior Paralegal/Administrative Assistant (2006-2007)

Supervisor (2005-2006)

Senior Discovery Assigning Paralegal (2001-2006)

Civil Litigation Defense Paralegal (2001)

Consistently promoted due to exceptional performance and dedication in performing a broad range of automobile defense work. Updated clients regarding case statuses, court dates, and scheduled depositions. Demonstrated strong research and analysis skills in conducting legal research, creating and maintaining Excel spreadsheets and assisting with Law Office management. Supported attorneys by aiding in settlement negotiations, processing Satisfactions of Judgment, and propounding and responding to discovery.

* Conducted initial telephone screening for potential interviews and liaised between attorneys, management and support staff to troubleshoot and resolve personnel related issues.

* Developed a strong proficiency in reviewing, analyzing and responding to discovery requests such as demands, Orders, document and admission requests and Bills of Particulars.

* Analyzed accident reports, investigated circumstances of accidents, commenced third-party actions and assisted with carrier's special investigation of suspected fraud.

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Science, Law & Paralegal Studies with Honors (ABA Approved) - New York City College of Technology, Brooklyn, NY, 2004

* Honors: Summa Cum Laude; Certificate of Excellence; Award for Highest GPA (3.92) in Class of 2004; Tau Phi Sigma Honor Society

Studies in English Language and Literature – Kiev State Linguistic University, Ukraine, 1992-1997

TECHNICAL SKILLS

Superior computer skills and knowledge of many software and online applications, including Time Matters 9.0, MA 3000, Windows 7, MS Word, MS Excel, MS Power  Point, Outlook, Word Perfect, Adobe, LexisNexis, Westlaw, ABMS Medical Specialists Plus software, Share Scan OP (e-copy). Good knowledge of MS Access.

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