Management Assistant

Matthew M. Cafiso

**** ******* ******, **. *********, FL 32080

904-***-**** • *******.******@*****.***

Objective

Seeking a challenging position as a legal assistant to help lawyers prepare legal documents, maintain records, conduct case management,

and perform legal research.

Summary of Qualifications

Excellent writing, speech, drafting, proof-reading, and research skills

Experience with drafting pleadings and researching legal content

High proficiency with office technology and administration: copying, faxing, filing, indexing, and mailings

Strong interpersonal skills to effectively conduct client or court correspondence and develop relationships

Exceptional ability to multi-task, manage multiple projects, and meet deadlines in fast-paced environment

Outstanding computer and organizational skills for case administration or research

Aptitude for high volume, detail-oriented legal work and data management

EDUCATION

BA, English, University of Florida (GPA: 3.8/4.0, Cum Laude), Received: 2009

President’s Honor Roll, Dean’s List, Florida Bright Futures Scholarship, Habitat for Humanity

Diploma, Pedro Menendez H.S. (3.9/4.0, Summa Cum Laude, Class Rank: 14/350), Received: 2005

Student Council President, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Habitat for Humanity, Bayview Community volunteer (333 hours)

LEGAL EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING

Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, Jacksonville, January 2010-October 2010

JALACARE Administrator

Used e-mail marketing to advertise pro bono credit abuse prevention program to Jacksonville legal community

Re-wrote and re-design of teaching curriculum, materials, and branding

Composed grant reports and narratives to maintain requirements of program grant

Composed newsletters, hand-outs, curriculum training instructions, and summaries about program

Recruited attorneys to participate through writing, negotiation, and correspondence

Published article about JALACARE in the Jacksonville Daily Record

Extensive contact with law firms, bar associations, and the Duval County School Board to advertise

Scheduled and set-up training locations

Formed partnership with D.W. Perkins Bar Association to sponsor Title I high school

Legal Assistant

Managed files, school records, and legal documents for 35-40 clients, including data transfers to Legal Server

Drafted motions and pleadings for child advocacy: motion for dependency, medicine(s), subpeonas, payments

Managed calendar of court hearings and IEP meetings

Prepared expense, mileage, travel, and timekeeping reports using Excel

Researched judicial decisions and FL statutes on due process violations of minors placed in residential treatment

Researched academic writings on current residential treatment facility issues

Prepared voluminous proceedings and indices for district appeal citing due process violation(s)

Performed client, school, or social agency correspondence

Proof-read and edited legal documents or correspondence

Provided technical support for Legal Server, Adobe Acrobat, and WiFi

SSI Department Volunteer (30 hours)

Assisted in preparation of SSA hearings and appeals

Maintained complex case files manually and electronically

Prepared medical records, exhibit files, and client documents for SSA hearings

Indexed and summarized SSA documents for data management

Researched disability benefits and consulted the Occupational Outlook handbook to assist with cross-examinations by

Vocational Experts

Scheduled appointments for SSA clients

Answered phone(s) as a liaison for clients and attorneys

Attended SSA hearings

Records Department Volunteer (139 hours)

High proficiency with Legal Server for all aspects of case and application management

Performed complex data entry to meet the requirements for JALA’s 40+ grants

Maintained record-keeping procedures and methods to ensure accuracy

Provided assistance to staff retrieving or locating case data

Three Rivers Legal Services, Gainesville, August 2009-November 2009

Volunteer (61 hours)

Performed client intakes for family law department

Organized 70 boxes of discovery, exhibit, and deposition files from the 2008 Kennedy Homes class-action lawsuit

Drafted client correspondence

Gained knowledge of legal procedures, terminology, and decorum

Gained knowledge of Legal Server

Maintained complex case file indices

Computer Skills

High proficiency with PSTI Legal Server, ShowCase, OnCore, Adobe Acrobat, MS Word, MS Excel, MS Outlook, LexisNexis,

Constant Contact, QuickBooks, and multiple social media platforms

Typing speed: 50-55 WPM

Knowledge of hardware, software, anti-virus, and malware programs

Extracurricular Activities

FL Guardian Ad Litem Program

Total volunteer hours in legal services since August 2009: 230 hours

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