Resume

Brenda A. Hess

Home Address: ac9ytc@r.postjobfree.com

***** **** ****** ***** ****: 281-***-****

Houston, Texas 77064 cell: 281-***-****

Summary of Qualifications:

● Exceptional in proofreading and formatting, editing, organizational skills with great attention to detail

● Type 75-80 wpm

● E-filing in all Courts

● Transcription (regular and Transcription Gear)

● Juris Suite; Elite

● DocketTrak

● Legal Key and NetDocs filing systems, Imanage

● Microsoft Word 2007, 2010 and Office, Worldox, Microsoft Office 365

● CONCUR

● Enterprise client billing and Pro Forma Edit, attorney reimbursements

● somewhat proficient in Microsoft Publisher, PowerPoint, Excel, Quickbooks

Work History:

02/16– current – numerous contract and temp jobs.

Van Slyke Law Firm PLLC (VSL), 08/2014-07/2015. One Riverway, Suite 1100, Houston, Texas 77056. Job Title: Office Manager/Legal Secretary. 2/2014 – 8/2014. Mr. Van Slyke wanted to start his own firm, but in August we joined the law firm of Hoover Slovacek LLP (HSL), 5051 Westheimer, Suite 1200, Houston, TX 77056. Job Title: Legal Secretary/Assistant.

Responsibilities at VSL included entering and calendaring all active trademarks for clients into the DocketTrak system; drafted letters and agreements; created new client files; answered phones (either taking care of business needed or directing to correct person). When given the responsibility of being the office manager and keeping the accounting records in QuickBooks, I reduced expenses of Firm by approximately 25%. Advanced proficiency in and exceptional in proofreading and formatting, editing, organizational skills with great attention to detail. E-filing in all courts. Responsibilities at HSL included resolving the work from VSL; continued calendaring active trademark due dates; drafted letters followed up by phone calls to people whose trademarks were denied by the USPTO which brought in a lot of work for Mr. Van Slyke. Supported additional litigation attorney after January. Entered work records in Juris Suite; revised client invoices. Used the Worldox system eventually changing to Worldox/Microsoft Office 365. Monitored incoming and outgoing mail, phones, faxes and emails. E-filed with Court and served other parties, interacted with the Court as needed to set hearings, etc., filled out attorney reimbursements, and numerous other secretarial duties as needed. Proofread motions, letters, etc. Advanced proficiency in and exceptional in proofreading and formatting, editing, organizational skills with great attention to detail. When we merged with HSL, I was told I could not take off for 6 months. Unfortunately, I was bitten by a spider, which gave me a staph infection. I was in the hospital for one week and had a pick line inserted for 6 weeks after that. I had three doctors monitoring me and took off quite a bit of work. Personnel let me go after the pick line came out due to too much lost work.

Jackson Lewis LLP, 1415 Louisiana Street, Houston, Texas 77002. Job Title: Legal Secretary/ Assistant. 07/2011-09/2013

Worked in labor and employment at fast paced firm supporting two partners. Responsibilities included answering phones, maintaining calendars, drafting and revising discovery and other court motions and orders; e-filing in all courts; contacting courts for hearing dates and other things; attorney expense reimbursements in CONCUR; making travel arrangements; monitoring incoming and outgoing faxes, mail and emails. Insurance company defense; i.e., keeping insurance companies updated on case (sending discovery so they could compile documents to be produced, forwarding motions before filing, update on settlement discussions, etc.). Before I left Baker Botts, Jackson Lewis signed an employment agreement with me so I wouldn’t lose my seniority basically so I could not get laid off.

Four attorneys left firm. After being recruited for over a year by Jackson Lewis LLP and working there for over two years, the Managing Partner who hired me stepped down and I was laid off by the new managing partner due to the reduction in force and cut in expenses. I was told my employment agreement signed prior to working there was for benefits only (if I had known that, I never would have accepted job).

Baker Botts LLP, 910 Louisiana Street, Houston, Texas 77002. Job Title: Legal Secretary/Lead Word Processor. 09/1981-07/2011

First 7 years with Baker Botts I was in Word Processing Department in the Corporate Department. Within first 2 years was elevated to lead word processor. Started floating as a secretary when everyone received computers. Heavy defense firm with main experience in pharmaceutical products liability litigation senior partner and between 3-5 attorneys in labor and employment and litigation section and one legal assistant. Responsibilities included, but were not limited to answering phones, maintaining calendars, drafting and revising discovery and other court motions and orders; e-filing in all courts, LegalKey filing system; drafting letters and emails; answers multiple phones, interacting with Court as needed, attorney expense reimbursements, travel arrangements, client billing – up to 200 invoices per month using Enterprise and Pro Forma Edit; monitored incoming and outgoing mail, faxes and emails; entered attorney work records in Elite. Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Word 2007, exceptional formatting, proofreading, and editing, organizational skills and attention to detail.

Recruited by Jackson Lewis LLP for over a year before accepting job.

Miscellaneous

Won awards from American Diabetes Association two to three years in a row for being the top fundraiser (one year I came in second) for the American Walk for Diabetes. Gave speech to group of fundraisers on how to fundraise effectively.

Notary Public.

I am very honest and trustworthy and am a quick study.

Available to start February 11.

Personal and Work References:

Texas Supreme Court Justice Jeff Brown 512-***-****

Anna Archer, Senior Attorney, U.S. Federal Courts, 281-***-****

Lisa Quick English, Attorney, Hines 713-***-****

Kathryn Artlip, Attorney, Kinder Morgan 713-***-****

James Edward Maloney, James Edward Maloney PLLC, 713-***-****

Paul Elliott, Partner, Baker Botts, 713-***-****, ac9ytc@r.postjobfree.com

Emma Gutierrez, Paul Hastings 713-***-**** - co-worker, Baker Botts, 713-***-**** (cell)

Melissa Holland, co-worker at Jackson Lewis, 832-***-****

Kathy Becktell, co-worker at Baker Botts and Jackson Lewis 832-***-****

More references available upon request.

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