LASHAWNDA M. POWELL

CHICAGO, IL 773-***-**** ac99b0@r.postjobfree.com

Profile

Solutions-focused, motivated Litigation Paralegal with 20+ years of comprehensive background in Medical Malpractice, Insurance Defense, Housing, Family Law, Intellectual Property, Personal Injury and Tort Defense. Ability to manage multiple projects while working under pressure in a fast-paced, deadline driven environment. Reputation for integrity, problem solving, work ethic, analytical skills, strong attention to detail, and great capability for decision making.

Core Competencies

Proficient in Microsoft Office Products Windows8 Problem Solving Trial Preparation Experience

Summation Concordance I-Manage Document System Legal Server Document Database Kemps Database

Westlaw Lexis Nexis, i2File, and Odyssey E-File and Perfect Law. Familiarity with West Law Case Note

Professional Experience

Anesi, Ozmon, Rodin, Novak & Kohen, LTD, Chicago, IL 04/2018-06/2019

Paralegal/Secretary/Personal Injury and General Law

•Uses word processing and document management software to prepare and revise, format and finalize a wide variety of documents, including correspondence, memoranda, and legal materials.

•Responsible for proofreading, correctly formatting and questioning any inconsistencies in all materials. Prepares various motions and E-file the documents using I2file and Odyssey File System in State Courts.

•Perform conference calls, coordinates and schedules travel arrangements for attorneys and maintenance of calendars.

•Prepare Power of Attorney Settlemrnts.

•Interacting with various departments around the office for possible legal support to assignments, including Accounting; General Services (mail, FedEx, UPS, messengers) Docketing/ Calendar Court Services; etc.

•Establishes and maintains paper and electronic files in compliance with current firm policies utilizing the Document Management System.

•Provides assistance to other Legal Secretaries within assigned teams whenever necessary to meet Firm and client needs;

•Organizes and prioritizes workload most efficiently and facilitate team effort to accomplish Firm and client goals.

Illinois Advocates, LLC, Chicago, IL 11/2015-12/2017

Litigation Paralegal/Family Law

•Drafted and prepared correspondence and other written documents as required. Gathers and organizes exhibits, documents, trial data and other materials in response to management requests, subpoenas, discovery requests, interrogatories, motions for summary judgment

•Filed court documents in Federal and State Courts manually, i2File and E-File.

•Resolved Child Support disputes with HFS

•Prepared Petitions for Rule to Show Cause

•Prepared Petitions for Dissolution of Marriage

Robert Half Legal Staffing, Chicago, IL 01/2015-10/2015

Contract Paralegal

•Scheduled depositions organized and maintained case files.

•Abstracted medical records and witness depositions.

•Answered correspondence and prepared subpoenas.

•Tracked witnesses and located expert witnesses.

•Organized and maintained large case files

Legal Aid Society of Metropolitan Family Services, Chicago, IL. 04/2007 – 11/2014 Poverty Law Paralegal

• Drafted and prepared correspondence and other written documents as required. Gathers and organizes exhibits, documents, trial data and other materials in response to management requests, subpoenas, discovery requests, interrogatories, motions for summary judgment etc.; arranges for extensions of time as needed.

•Advocated for clients in administrative hearings before CHAC Hearing Committee.

•Collaborated with Chicago Housing Choice Program Specialists on matters relating to disputes that threaten to terminate the participants voucher.

Family Law Domestic Violence Paralegal 04/2007- 11/2014

•Interviewed clients and review documents pertaining to their case.

•Prepared the initial pleadings and/or responses, draft motions, complaints, subpoenas, and any/all other pleadings necessary and filed everything with the Court.

•Prepared debt and asset lists, witness affidavits, child support worksheets, and/or responsive pleadings.

•Prepared all written correspondence and drafted writing briefs and memorandums

•Educate community groups and victims on domestic violence.

Chicago Transit Authority, Chicago, IL. 10/2001-03/2006

Paralegal / Legal Assistant

•Assisted attorneys with discovery procedures and trial preparations.

•Conducted field investigations and witness and employee interviews.

•Sat 2nd Chair at trial with supervising attorney.

•Answered trial calls and municipal status calls.

•Drafted pleadings.

•Answered complaints.

•Organized and maintained large case files.

Education

Roosevelt University/Political Science 08/1999-12/2002

Chicago Career Colleges (DePaul off-site campus) 09/1992-08/1995

Certifications

Lean Six Sigma 2013

Domestic Violence 40 Hour Training Certificate 2008

Court Reporting Certificate 1995

Contact this candidate