Paralegal

CHERIE A REED

**** ****** ****** *** 512-***-****

ROUND ROCK, TX 78681 **********@*****.***

Career Objectives:

Seeking a challenging paralegal position with a supportive group of professionals where I can further polish my skills in civil or criminal litigation support.

Work History:

Office of the Attorney General of Texas, AUSTIN, Texas

Legal Assistant Apr 02, 2012 - June 8, 2018

Supported the successful defense of civil suits brought against the State of Texas and its agencies and employees.

Drafted pleadings, proposed orders, written discovery requests and responses, shells for answers to state and federal complaints, briefs to state appellate courts and the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, letters and other documents

Coordinated the preparation, filing and service of pleadings, proposed orders, discovery, letters and other documents related to ongoing civil cases.

Coordinated with state and federal courts, court reporters and other personnel to facilitate case development.

Gathered, organized and prepared material for hearings and trial.

Conducted legal research using Westlaw, Lexis-Nexis and the federal PACER filing system.

Managed the preparation and service of both traditional and e-discovery materials.

Managed the preparation and filing of docketing statements, briefs and other material before state and federal appeals courts.

Organized and prepared courtroom presentation of case materials using trial preparation software.

U.S. Attorney's Office, AUSTIN, Texas

Legal Assistant Aug 22, 2005 - Jan 28, 2011

Supported up to five Assistant U.S. Attorneys (AUSA).

Facilitated the successful prosecution of hundreds of federal cases by responding to procedural schedules and discovery deadlines, planning the preparation of various materials for trial and ensuring that timely filings were made in accordance with established court rules.

Organized and maintained the case loads of AUSAs with heavy assignments, including that of the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) AUSA, who prosecuted numerous large drug seizures from 2006 through 2009.

Streamlined the process for the management of Immigration cases, which totaled over 500 cases prosecuted in 2010.

Coordinated the preparation of a variety of pleadings, proposed orders, discovery packages, letters and other documents related to case management.

Organized various materials for trial including federal trial subpoenas, discovery, investigative material and other trial related documents.

Responsible for setting up and organizing war rooms for trial preparation.

Orchestrated the filing of pleadings and other documents with the Federal District Court for the Western District of Texas, in accordance with court rules.

Coordinated with federal and local law enforcement agencies to prepare subpoenas and other material related to grand jury investigations and criminal case development.

Responsible for appellate case tracking as well as editing, preparing and filing appellate briefs with the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Conducted legal research in the process of appellate brief preparation using Westlaw, Lexis-Nexis and the federal PACER filing system.

Public Utility Commission of Texas, AUSTIN, Texas

Legal Assistant Apr 05, 1999 - Aug 19, 2005

Assisted six attorneys daily in the management of telecommunications utility cases.

Initiated the opening, coordinating and tracking to completion of cases for new utility applications for service provider, responding to filing deadlines and preparing documents for filing as applicable.

Responded to procedural deadlines by composing a variety of pleadings, orders, letters and other documents related to case management.

Facilitated the seamless filing of documents by editing/proofreading briefs, orders, pleadings and other documents.

Ensured that Commission filings and rulemaking language accurately reflected assertions by researching legislative histories and conducting other legal research in relation to filings.

Participated in the rulemaking process by summarizing utility responses and other filings, and by reviewing existing rule language and proposing more appropriate language. Worked on several major rulemaking projects related to the revision of Commission Substantive and Procedural Rules.

Enhanced attorneys preparation for administrative hearings by creating trial notebooks and organizing other trial related material.

Streamlined system for utility workforce diversity reporting by updating online reporting system and creating fill-able forms that linked to a master spreadsheet for compiling regional workforce statistics.

Temple Independent School District, TEMPLE, Texas

Administrative Assistant Apr 15, 1998 - Mar 27, 1999

On a daily basis, I coordinated with vendors to ensure compliance with school bond proposal and monitored subcontracting activities related to school bond construction projects.

Coordinated with managers and school district officials to facilitate project construction.

Prepared and composed a variety of office documents and correspondence.

Created and maintained administrative and suspense filing systems on demand.

Assisted callers and clients with individual needs.

Prepared bi-weekly accountability of staff members for reimburseables and expenses, including postage, mileage and phone bills.

Army Career Alumni Program (ACAP), FORT HOOD, Texas

Administrative Assistant, 0318 May 14, 1997 - Jan 30, 1998

Provided administrative support to the Army Career and Alumni Program office (ACAP).

Composed and drafted correspondence and completed word processing assignments using Microsoft Word 6.0 and WordPerfect 5.2 for Windows.

Reviewed outgoing correspondence for correct grammar, punctuation and format.

Prepared bi-weekly time and attendance forms for office personnel.

Reviewed time and attendance reference materials to insure correct usage of policies governing submission of time sheets.

Distributed and routed incoming and outgoing mail to appropriate personnel.

Prepared briefing charts and graphs for presentation to military and civilian personnel within the organization.

Coordinated with other staff members to facilitate completion of assignments.

Maintained administrative and personnel files using the Modern Army Record Keeping System (MARKS).

Reviewed regulations governing usage of the MARKS system on a regular basis to ensure files are properly maintained.

Assisted ACAP counselors in the screening of incoming military personnel attending the

ACAP program.

Set up briefings.

Researched files and prepare and consolidate materials for inclusion in special reports.

International/Interservice Training Dept., Aberdeen Proving Grd., Maryland

Office Automation Specialist Oct 01, 1994 - Feb 02, 1997

Provided administrative support to the International/Interservice Training Department.

Effectively communicated with senior personnel and personnel within outside agencies to complete assignments.

Responsible for preparing daily actions, time sheets, requests for leave and Job Performance Evaluation Reports for military and civilian employees.

Completed word processing assignments using WordPerfect 5.1/6.0 and MS Word 5.

Typed and edited technical documents, including lesson plans and supplemental instruction material for military training programs.

Prepared and edited charts and graphs and prepared graduation booklets for up to 200 guests.

Designed and edited graphically rich slide shows and briefing materials using Harvard Graphics and Microsoft PowerPoint for use in training programs.

Trained incoming personnel on the use of agency software programs and office policy and procedures. Delegated program work overflow to student employees and monitored timely completion of their assignments.

Effectively worked with foreign students and their families to prepare student speeches, prepare and send correspondence and other documents to native countries, schedule travel reservations, and acted as liaison between Department and Saudi Arabian embassy for

foreign students.

Served as personal secretary to General (then COL) Ahmed Al-Shahri, Saudi Arabian Liaison Officer for the U.S./Saudi M1A1 Tank Training Program.

Logistics Management Institute, BEL AIR, Maryland

Administrative Assistant Jan 05, 1994 - Oct 29, 1994

Completed word processing assignments using WordPerfect 6.0 and AmiPro.

Responsible for data entry and formatting/creating spreadsheets, charts and graphs.

Typed, prepared and reviewed technical documents for correct grammar and format.

Compiled and maintained monthly work reports for research and development activities.

Recorded billing hours for research and administrative assignments.

Maintained office supplies and petty cash fund, balancing cash drawer and maintaining receipts for purchases.

Coordinated with area merchants to establish supply accounts/purchase supply items.

Maintained company hand receipts.

Prepared packages for mass mailings to both military units and LMI constituents.

Communicated with publishers for purchase of publications relevant to research activities.

Conducted administrative and technical research for the establishment of military HAZMAT reporting system.

Edited large military databases and mailing lists.

Created databases, reports and queries for tracking of military equipment status.

Department of Justice Payroll, WASHINGTON, District Of Columbia

Secretary, 0318 Sep 01, 1990 - Sep 30, 1993

Responsible for the support and administrative functions of the office.

Typed and prepared executive correspondence for review and signature of senior personnel and prepared personnel actions, effectively communicating with office personnel to facilitate completion of all assignments.

Timely and efficiently transmitted and inputted Electronic Time & Attendance for biweekly payroll, reviewing T&A error listings to determine when corrections were necessary and conducting leave audits as required in order to correct any problems.

Initiated SF 52 (personnel action) requests and requests for issuance or replacement of employee identification card keys.

Because of a large volume of benefit actions and other payroll processes, I was responsible for accurately and efficiently distributing all incoming mail.

Signed for and properly routed all hand delivered letters and packages.

Compiled and prepared weekly work reports detailing activities and accomplishments of Section for submission to senior personnel.

Maintained accurate records by instituting a filing system and establishing new systems on an on-going basis to ensure timely filing of sensitive documents such as bi-weekly time and attendance

reports, confidential correspondence and personnel records of office employees.

Maintained calendar of activities of the section chief, keeping him informed of upcoming events.

Assisted in meeting planning.

Screened and routed all incoming guests and calls, using proper phone etiquette to resolve sensitive pay issues.

Maintained a working knowledge of office procedures in order to properly assist callers and visitors with accounting questions, or to refer them to proper personnel for assistance.

Processed all year-end requests for duplicate copies of Form W-2s for DOJ employees.

Training:

What do I do with this brief? Cite-checking briefs

Austin Legal Professionals Association, Inc.

Aug 09, 2016 - Aug 09, 2016

Review of cite-checking briefs and other legal documents.

The Modern Campfire: Discovering the Right Stories

Office of the Attorney General of Texas

Aug 09, 2016 - Aug 09, 2016

Advanced legal research techniques using LexisNexis.

Drinking from a Fire Hydrant: Basic Legal Research

Office of the Attorney General of Texas

Aug 09, 2016 - Aug 09, 2016

Basic legal research techniques using LexisNexis.

Brief Writing

Office of the Attorney General

Feb 25, 2014 - Feb 25, 2014

Concise step by step outline for developing/writing a successful brief.

Criminal Paralegal Seminar

U.S. Attorney's Office

Jan 12, 2009 - Jan 16, 2009

Four-day seminar covering paralegal job duties within the federal government. Hands-on experience conducting research, trial preparation, discovery procedures and legal writing.

Introduction to Legal Citation & Research Seminar

U.S. Attorney s Office

Apr 28, 2008 - May 02, 2008

Comprehensive coverage of legal research and citation.

Fundamentals of Litigation for Criminal Legal Assistants

U.S. Attorney's Office

Mar 20, 2006 - Mar 24, 2006

Four-day seminar covered federal litigation procedures including document preparation, the federal criminal justice system, grand jury and appellate procedures. Also included federal filing procedures and file creation, maintenance and disposal.

Introduction to Federal Judicial System Seminar

U.S. Attorney's Office

Dec 06, 2005 - Dec 09, 2005

Introduction to federal judicial system including applicable federal statutes, sentencing guidelines, the federal court system, jurisdiction, filing procedures and federal and local court rules.

Computer Skills:

Typing Speed 75 Words Per Minute

Database Software (Access)

EMail Software (Outlook, etc.)

Graphics or Drawing Software (Photoshop, etc)

Internet Browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, etc)

Peripheral Devices (Scanners, Printers, etc)

Personal Computers

Presentation Software (PowerPoint, Flash, etc)

Spreadsheet Software (Excel, etc)

Utility Software (Virus, File Compression, etc)

Word Processing Software (Word, WordPerfect, etc)

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