Service Office

Karla M. Stepter

**** *. ******** **. *** ***, Chicago, IL 60660 ~ 312-***-**** ~

******@*****.***

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Profile

ATTORNEY WITH EXCEPTIONAL ADVOCACY, LITIGATION, ANALYTICAL, DRAFTING,

RESEARCH AND NEGOTIATION SKILLS. ACCOMPLISHED IN TRADEMARK AND COPYRIGHT

REGISTRATION AND PROTECTION. CAPABLE OF MULTI-TASKING AND HANDLING

CONSIDERABLE RESPONSIBILITY, AND WORKING UNDER STRICT DEADLINES. EFFECTIVE

COMMUNICATION AND SUPERVISORY SKILLS. HIGHLY MOTIVATED, SELF-STARTER, GREAT

INITIATIVE, ABLE TO WORK WELL WITH A TEAM AS WELL AS INDEPENDENTLY. QUICK

AND EAGER TO LEARN AND BROADEN MY EXPERIENCE IN THE LEGAL PROFESSION.

LICENSED TO PRACTICE LAW IN ILLINOIS AND THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS.

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Experience

JOHNSON, BLUMBERG & ASSOCIATES, LLC, CHICAGO, IL

Supervising Attorney April 2008 - present

Lead Illinois Litigation Attorney in a high volume, fast paced work

environment. Oversee all aspects of litigation for the firm's Illinois

Department. Supervise staff, junior associates, and coordinate with out-

sourced attorneys (local counsels).

Draft and argue pleadings including Responses to Motions to Dismiss, Quash

Service, Vacate Judgment, Affirmative Defenses, Counterclaims, Discovery,

Interrogatories, Motions to Quash Depositions and for Protective Orders.

Advise and strategize with clients regarding pending litigation.

Litigate on behalf of clients in contested foreclosures and municipal code

violations.

Research Illinois Civil Procedure, creditors' rights, mechanic's lien,

title curatives, quiet title actions and other laws pertaining to

creditors' rights issues.

Negotiate, draft, and review settlement agreements, consent judgments, and

lien/judgment releases on behalf of clients.

Advise clients on procedural issues, regulatory policies, and compliance

regarding foreclosure litigation and new legislation relating to Creditors'

Rights.

Successfully established and organized the firm's litigation department.

Law Office of Mary Bluma, Chicago, IL

Associate Attorney, February 2008 - April 2008

Prepared marital settlement agreements, complaints, motions, and briefs.

Participated in the pre-trial practices and status hearings

Second-chaired in litigations

Researched Illinois contract and tort law

Saper Law Offices, Chicago, IL

Legal Intern, May 2006 - January 2007

Researched Intellectual Property and Entertainment Law issues.

Prepared legal memoranda, motions, and trademark applications on the USPTO

website.

Filed state and federal documents for new businesses.

Contributed to the Saper Law official website (saperlaw.com).

Paulette Hardin - Sole Practitioner, Columbus, OH

Legal Intern, July 2005 - September 2005

Researched law and drafted legal memoranda and briefs

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Education

THE JOHN MARSHALL LAW SCHOOL, CHICAGO, IL

Juris Doctor, May 2007

Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH

Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Minor in Sociology, May 2003

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Professional and Community Affiliations

LAWYERS FOR THE CREATIVE ARTS

Chicago United Leadership Council

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