CYNTHIA S. ZIPP

*** * ********* *******

Lewisville, Texas 75067

Phone 817-***-****

Email: ac7z2v@r.postjobfree.com

Highly experienced Paralegal with over 25 YEARS of contract law, civil litigation, business law, corporate law, auditing and probate law both working for private firms and in-house counsel. Years of courtroom experience with proven abilities in reviewing discovery, trial preparation, legal research, and drafting pleadings. Self-motivated, competent, proficient, well organized, able to prioritize and manage workload independently, with acute attention to detail.

Work Experience:

Zena Land Development

Assistant to Executive Vice President and President April 2017 to December 2018

Draft and negotiate contracts; review and revise leases; research real estate titles and mineral rights; assist in project risk assessment; responsible for keeping all business entity books up to date, review and update business entities according to current law, prepare corporate minutes, prepare for board meetings; responsible for all insurance matters, policies and claims, obtaining COIs from appropriate parties, insurance audits, binding policies and payment, obtaining special insurance policies and evaluating compliance documents. Initiated electronic document retention program for paper records, creating and implementing records retention policy. Proficient in reviewing and understanding contract terms, negotiating resolutions and recommending potential solutions. Effectively manage workloads, schedule track and make sure deadlines are met.

TNT Crane & Rigging, Inc.

Office Manager - Paralegal March 2015 to January 2017

Accounts receivable, review and determine credit limits, process all accounts payable, initiate an electronic records retention program and policy, review contract, research matters as directed. Always met monthly financial reporting deadlines.

eRecyclingCorps

Corporate Paralegal – Sr. Contract Administrator June 2014 to February 2015

Assist designing and implementing contract management system; review, revise, negotiate and draft corporate contracts; prepare protocol policy for using contract management system; create flow charts for users of contract management system. Effectively manage workloads and meet deadlines.

fanning, harper, martinson, brandt & kutchin

Litigation Paralegal – Insurance Defense December 2013 to June 2014

Paralegal to eight attorneys, including Senior Partner and Managing Partner. Assist attorneys as needed, in trial preparation, review and summarize discovery, summarize depositions, interview witnesses, review pleadings, draft pleadings, docket control, e-filing in state and federal courts.

Alcon laboratories, inc.

Corporate Paralegal August 2010 to March 2013

Worked independently with eight attorneys. Review, revise, negotiate and draft corporate contracts; communicate effectively and interact with various departments (including procurement, manufacturing and research) from administrative assistants to vice presidents concerning contract content and company procedures. Educate departments in contract content per company policies and risk management; work closely on design and implementation of contract management systems; effectively manage workloads and meet deadlines.

Additional software utilized: Upside, MicroSoft Office 2010

2008 – 2010 Independent Contractor

Bank of America, Dallas: mortgage/contract paralegal with Office of the President

Kenneth D. Hartless, PC, N. Richland Hills: family law and probate/guardianship paralegal

Braumiller & Schultz, Dallas: trade law paralegal

Lanter Westermann, Fort Worth: real estate paralegal

McCurley, Orsinger, McCurley, Nelson & Downing, Dallas: family law/litigation paralegal

Additional software utilized: TimeMatters, Worldox, AS400, JD Edwards

Benenati Law, P.C. (Bedford, Texas)

Paralegal 2007-2008

Paralegal to four attorneys. Assist in all aspects of civil litigation; draft estate planning documents; assist in preparing IRS estate tax returns and gift tax returns, special letter rulings and defending IRS audits; schedule and calendar deadlines, hearings and client meetings; client communications; legal research-electronic and library; prepare correspondence and additional duties as assigned.

Software utilized: Microsoft Office and Suite, Word Perfect, Westlaw, BMA Preparer.

D.R. Horton, Inc. (Fort Worth, Texas)

Paralegal/Billing Administrator 2005-2007

Paralegal to Vice-President of Litigation, assisted Vice-President of Risk Management and Senior Vice-President as requested. Liaison between litigation department, VP of Accounting and VP of Risk Management; assisted three attorneys with construction defense litigation; developed computer system of tracking company litigation expenses per case; provided detailed accounting of litigation expenses to insurance carriers; assisted accounting department in auditing litigation expenses; calendar deadlines and insurance limitations; communications with outside counsel; analyzed outside counsel expenses; prepare correspondence and pleadings as requested; performed additional duties as assigned.

Software utilized: Microsoft Suite, Word Perfect, Excel, JD Edwards, AS400

Foremost Care, Inc. (Euless, Texas)

Comptroller/Paralegal 2004-2005

Comptroller of accounts. Daily auditing of all bank accounts, payables and receivables; prepare daily financial statements and projections; liaison with financial institutions concerning all banking matters. Paralegal to in-house counsel: assist with litigation, collections, bankruptcy filings, discovery, correspondence, legal research, calendaring.

Software utilized: Microsoft Suite, Word Perfect, Westlaw, Lexis, Quik Books, Peachtree, Medicare and Medicaid billing software.

Hartless & Hargrove (Bedford, Texas)

Paralegal 2003-2004

Paralegal to Ken Hartless. Review discovery, research law and case law, prepare pleadings, and assist in all aspects of litigation and trial preparation in regard to family law, probate, estate planning, guardianship, personal injury and real estate matters. Maintain files, schedule and calendar deadlines, attend hearings and client meetings; legal research-electronic and library; prepare correspondence, communicate with clients.

Software utilized: Microsoft Suite Abacus, Word Perfect, PACER, Westlaw, Lexis,

Oxford Law Office (Stephenville, Texas)

Paralegal 1994-2003

Paralegal for two to four attorneys. Review discovery, prepare for and attend depositions, prepare pleadings, and assist in all aspects of litigation and trial preparation; attend hearings and trials; manage case files in regard to family law, civil litigation, probate, estate planning, guardianship, and real estate contracts; assist in real estate closings, title searches, corporate acquisitions; assist in collecting receivables; banking, maintain and reconcile law office IOLTA account; assist in the preparation of appeals; maintain files, schedule and calendar deadlines, attend hearings and client meetings; train new staff members; maintain and update law library; research, implement and train staff on legal software; legal research-electronic and library, prepare correspondence, transcribe for attorneys. Learned to research real estate titles and mineral rights and leases while working closely with the abstract company housed in the same office building.

Software utilized: Microsoft Suite, Word Perfect, Westlaw, Lexis, Amicus,.

Education: Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia

Bachelor of Science - Accounting

Tarleton University, Stephenville, Texas

Computer Science

(Specializing in software implementation)

Blackstone School of Law, Dallas, Texas

Paralegal Certificate (1999)

Credentials: State Bar of Texas, Paralegal Division

Admitted 1999, Member in Good Standing

College of the State Bar, Charter Member 2003, Member 2004-2011

(Requires 12 hours of CLE per year)

Notary Public, State of Texas (Since 1994)

Member, Fort Worth Paralegal Association

Fort Worth, Texas (Since 2003)

Volunteer, Fort Worth Legal Aid, Fort Worth, Texas

Contact this candidate