Crystal R. Hamilton
Burlington, NJ 08016
609-***-**** (cell)
*******************@*****.***
OBJECTIVE
PROFILE
STATEMENT
To obtain a position as a legal assistant/secretary where my skills and experience will contribute to the overall success of the firm
§ A well qualified legal assistant/secretary with over 25 years experience
§ Proven track record in completing assignments independently, meeting deadlines efficiently, and
producing high quality work
§ Type approximately 75 wpm with a high level of accuracy
§ Strong administrative and legal practice skills
§ Interact professionally with all levels of the firm and individuals involved in the litigation process
§ Extensive experience in the litigation process from inception through trial/settlement
§ Excellent organization, time management and multi-tasking skills
§ Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
§ Strict attention to detail
§ Demonstrate the use of accumulated knowledge and experience to exercise independent judgment and
make valid decisions
§ Resourceful and reliable team member
§ Proficient in various software packages and office equipment
§ Quickly learn proprietary software systems and databases
§ Flexibility regarding work schedule and availability to work overtime as required
§ A hard working self-starter committed to superior client and attorney service
WORK
HISTORY
08/88- Present
Professional Legal Assistant/Secretary (Litigation)
Plaintiff and Defendant Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice; General Litigation; Criminal;
Matrimonial; Family Law; Wills and Probate; Bankruptcy; Contract
Servicing various New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania firms including:
§ Various Temp Positions NJ, NY, PA (02/03 - 03/04; 05/07 - 02/09; 11/11 - Present)
§ Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney Princeton, NJ (3/10 – 10/11)
§ Gaylord, Rubenstein & Popp, LLC. West Trenton, NJ (7/09 – 11/09)
Gold, Albanese & Barletti Morristown, NJ (2/09 – 7/09)
Law Office of Richard J. Piepszak Hamilton, NJ (8/05 -05/07)
Drazin and Warshaw Red Bank, NJ (3/04 - 12/04)
Law Offices of Robert Olkowitz Red Bank, NJ (2/02- 2/03)
Stark & Stark Princeton, NJ (08/88 – 11/98)
Responsibilities in these roles have included:
Support senior partners and practice group leaders as well as other partners and associates at large
law firms as well as assisting sole practitioners and other attorneys in litigation and other practice
areas
Assist with the customization of Personal Injury Negligence System (PINS)/Needles software
to meet firm's specific needs
Train new employees and help to develop new procedures
Administrative oversight of two legal secretaries
Extensive experience in the litigation process from inception through trial/settlement
Coordination of attorney calendars, diaries and scheduling (i.e. arbitration, depositions, IMEs,
statements as well as maintaining a daily follow-up diary of files I am responsible for)
Extensive client contact (in person and on phone) and interactions with all parties through all aspects
of litigation (i.e. clients, adjusters, courts, opposing counsel, physicians and billing services)
Drafting legal documents and other correspondence, transcribing tapes
Prepare, file and serve legal documents and correspondence
Trial Preparation
Maintenance of client files from opening to storage
Responsible for all closing papers on personal injury files including releases and disbursements
Preparation of arbitration (including PIP arbitrations) and settlement packages
Tracking of attorney and personal time for billing, client billing and tracking of client payments
Receive, open, prioritize, delegate, respond and log incoming mail in case management systems as appropriate
12/98 - 01/02
Home Care Information Systems Tinton Falls, NJ
Help Desk Analyst and Customer Support
Responsibilities in this role included:
Prior to company's relocation to North Carolina, assist with server and client software installations, configurations and upgrades
Provided hardware and software support and troubleshooting
Install and configure laptops for use with proprietary software
Trained and retrained clients as needed
Supervise customer support team on an “as needed” basis
Performed QA Testing as necessary
EDUCATION
Brick Computer Science Institute (BCSI) Brick, NJ Various computer courses
The Chubb Institute North Brunswick, NJ Diploma in Data Center Support
Mercer County Community College West Windsor, NJ Various legal assistant courses
SKILLS
Microsoft Word, Excel PowerPoint, Outlook, Access, WordPerfect, Hummingbird DM, Worldox, Deltaview, Timeslips, Timematters, DTE, PINS/NEEDLES, Amicus Attorney, Abacus, PCLaw, Family Soft, Practice Manager (PM), Concur, COMPULAW, Big Hand Transcription, Elite, LEGALKey