Manager Case
Resume:
ATHOL B. CHEN
MAYWOOD, NJ 07607
201-***-**** (cell)
*********@*****.***
EXPERIENCE:
March 2004 to Peckar & Abramson, River Edge, New Jersey
January 2009 Paralegal Manager
Managed and supported litigation paralegals nationwide.
Worked with firm administrators and department heads to ensure
that all firm and departmental guidelines and protocols are
effectively administered and communicated.
Worked closely with Branch Office Managers in identifying and
resolving staffing needs and to ensure smooth workflow
coordination. Provided paralegal support to other offices, when
necessary, to maximize paralegal resources.
Recruited and hired permanent and temporary litigation paralegals
including making new hire compensation decisions. Provided
orientation to the new hires, including attorneys, to the paralegal
work environment and corporate culture. Provided training,
included training in utilizing the CM/ECF system.
Worked with litigation partners on the refinement and enhancement
of the short and long range litigation paralegal program to provide
not only the firm but the firm’s clients with excellent service.
Monitored the paralegals’ billable hours, overtime and quality of
work and ensure that the necessary resources are made available
to maximize their billable hour potential. Provided educational
opportunities such as in-house seminars, webinars and selected
ICLE offerings to foster professional growth.
Discussed all case assignments with the partners-in-charge to
determine its scope, timeline and firm resources needed for its
efficient and cost-effective completion. Assigned paralegals based
on experience and case specific needs.
Served as liaison between the paralegals and other firm
departments. Troubleshooted problems and diffused conflicts
Conducted annual paralegal performance reviews/evaluations and
recommended compensation and merit-based bonuses.
Quarterly review of paralegal program to ensure that performance
standards are being met, policies are observed, morale remained
high and the maintenance of exceptional paralegal services.
Managed all in-house e-discovery projects and discussed e-
discovery issues with attorneys and clients. Established
relationships with e-discovery vendors and negotiated contracts.
Prepared “white papers” and office protocols on E-Discovery and
participated in various e-discovery conferences and seminars.
Trained paralegals and attorneys in electronic court filing
(CM/ECF).
Supervised and managed library services, including but not limited
to subscription purchasing, negotiation of Lexis and Westlaw
contracts, handling vendor disputes, procurement of other legal
resources, and resolution of billing issues. Review all vendor
library invoices and provide cost allocation to accounting
department. Monitored Westlaw usage firm-wide and allocated
charges per user per office.
Supervised records department personnel. Prepared and initiated
records management protocols and records retention policy and
negotiated all off-site storage vendor contracts.
Monitored and managed the allocation of war room space. Pre-
trial/arbitration inspection of potential war room and supervised war
room set-up to ensure it met audio/visual needs.
Worked on arbitration, litigation and mediation cases from inception
through conclusion including, but not limited to, document reviews,
preparation of deposition, hearing and trial notebooks, preparation
of PowerPoint presentations, drafting discovery, transcript
abstracts, Blue booking and cite-checking. Knowledge of New
Jersey/New York state and federal court rules.
June 2003 to Wilmer, Cutler & Pickering, New York, NY
March 2004 Senior Litigation Paralegal:
Case manager for several large securities class action cases
involving major players in the financial services industry.
Reviewed, edited and cite-checked pleadings. Knowledge of New
York and New Jersey state and federal court rules.
Proficient with Blue Booking and Cite-Checking.
Supervised legal assistants.
May 2001 to Blank Rome LLP, New York, NY
May 2003 Senior Litigation Paralegal
Case Manager for several highly profiled matrimonial cases.
Prepared, reviewed and analyzed assets, liabilities and assorted
financial documents.
Drafted, reviewed and cite-checked pleadings.
Conducted internet and legal research on case specific issues.
Trial preparation and attendance.
January 1999 to Lowenstein Sandler, P.C., Roseland, New Jersey
May 2001 Senior Litigation Paralegal
Case Manager responsible for several class action, commercial,
environmental, bankruptcy and securities cases.
Routinely met with attorneys and clients to discuss case status and
develop litigation strategy.
Provided assistance and direction in the preparation, filing and
maintenance of documents.
Participated in and prepared seminars on paralegal issues.
Reviewed and cite-checked pleadings.
Trial preparation and attendance.
Proficient with Lexis, Westlaw and Internet research.
January 1995 to McDermott, Will & Emery, New York, New York
December 1999 Senior Litigation Paralegal
Case Manager.
Reviewed, edited, cite-checked and shepardized pleadings.
Prepared and assisted attorneys at trial.
Supervised Legal Assistants on large document intensive cases.
Oversaw Managing Clerk’s Department and supervised the Assistant
Managing Clerks
March 1991 to STATE OF NEW JERSEY, DIVISION OF THE RATEPAYER
January 1995 ADVOCATE
Newark, NJ
Paralegal:
Supervised Legal Assistants, as required, on a case by case basis.
Case Manager of several major utility rate cases.
Planned, coordinated and attended strategy meetings with attorneys
and expert regulatory consultants.
Assisted attorneys with case preparation including the drafting of
correspondence, briefs, testimonies, discovery and press releases.
Reviewed pleadings and prepared detailed monthly reports.
Digested transcripts, cite-checked and shepardized cases.
Provided trial assistance at Board of Public Utilities meetings and
Administrative Law hearings.
June 1982 to BOWER & GARDNER, Attorneys at Law, New York, NY
January 1991 Trial Assistant
Prepared legal documents and proposals.
Discussed cases with clients and coordinated case schedules and
arranged depositions.
Interfaced with Risk Managers at various hospitals.
Assisted attorneys with pre-trial, trial and post-trial litigation.
Reviewed and analyzed medical records, court and office files and
prepare detailed written reports on case history and current status.
Case management.
Supervised Legal Assistants in trial case preparation and case
management techniques.
EDUCATION: COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY - B.A. – Liberal Arts
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