Legal Secretary Assistant

Sheira Santos-Guzman

*-** ***** **

Fair Lawn, NJ 07410

Cell: 201-***-****

E-Mail: *********@*****.***

Executive Profile

A well qualified hands-on legal secretary with over twelve year’s diverse experience in a law firm. Superior track record in completing assignments independently, meeting deadlines efficiently, and producing high quality work. Strong administrative and legal practice skills and knowledge. A hard working self-starter committed to superior client focused and attorney service.

Skill Highlights

• Excellent organizational skills

• Strong typing skills

• Ability to work in fast-paced environment

• Excellent communications skills; ability to act as liaison between attorneys and clients

• Transcription and typing skills

• Excellent spelling and grammar skills

• Proficient computer software skills including Word Perfect.

• Administrative skills

• Time management skills

• Understanding of legal terminology

• Administrative skills

• Diverse knowledge of legal procedures and terminology

• Industry knowledge of local, state, and federal filing rules

• Dictaphone

• Appeals including but not limited to Federal, State, Supreme Court

• E-Filing

• Steno writer

• Needles Software

• Tabs Software

• Nexis-Lexis

• Westlaw

• Bilingual in Spanish

Professional Experience

Christos Shandlers Gillan Cliffside Park New Jersey

May 2013 to December 2013

Legal Secretary/Paralegal

• Provided high level of administrative support to managed partners.

• Borough Attorney for Cliffside Park, Hackensack and Garfield.

• Compose and revise legal documents including but not limited: Depositions, Order to show cause, Divorce, Subpoenas, Landlord/Tenant Issues, Estates, Borough Ordinance

• Draft minutes for monthly Municipal meetings of Board of Trustees

• Review and facilitate contracts

• Enter Attorney time by using firm’s Tab Software

• Ensure legal documents are processed and handled in a timely manner by using delivery services; Fed Ex., Lawyer Service, Messenger

• Process range of legal documents including contracts, appeals, warrants and subpoenas

• Conduct Legal Research

• Maintain Attorney daily schedules and calendars

• Responsible for typing, editing and composing legal pleadings, contracts, memoranda, correspondence, discovery notices, responses and motions.

The Powell Law Firm Miami, FL

May 2007 to December 2012

Legal Secretary/Paralegal

• Provide high level secretarial and administrative support to three senior partners

• Draft and manage correspondence

• Process range of standard legal documents including contracts, appeals, warrants and subpoenas

• Process different types of appeals, motions and writs (writ of certiorari or cert., write of habeas corpus)

• Schedule legal meetings and appointments

• Take and transcribe notes, minutes and dictation

• Maintain schedules and calendars

• Prepare legal forms including accident reports, applications and courtroom requests

• Proofread and revise legal documents

• Maintain files in accordance with state and federal documentation laws

• Conduct legal research and collate information for partners

• Collect records

• File motions

• Follow up on court cases

• Maintain law libraries

• Interact extensively with clients from point of referral

• Composed and edited legal contracts

Levenson & Levenson New York City, NY

January 2003 to January 2007

Senior Legal Secretary

• Manage all administrative tasks for three senior partners.

• Compose and revise legal documents for attorneys, including letters, depositions, and court filings.

• Answer direct attorney phone lines and act as liaison between clients and attorneys.

• Schedule all appointments and briefings for attorneys, as well as track and maintain busy attorney schedules.

• Track and account for all expenses, utilizing correct client codes and invoicing procedures.

• Ensure legal documents are processed and handled in a timely and efficient manner in order to comply with appropriate regulations and deadlines.

• Schedule all travel arrangements for attorneys, averaging 3 trips per month.

• Train and mentor junior legal secretaries, ensuring compliance and success.

• Working knowledge of Federal Labor Laws.

• File and archive all documents in compliance with state and federal documentation laws.

• Recognized for efforts with "Excellency" award and trip to Bahamas, 2006.

Law Office of Carlos Muniz New York City, NY

February 2000 to October 2002

Legal Secretary/Paralegal

• Managed all administrative and office duties for sole attorney's office.

• Developed automated systems and processes utilizing MS Excel and Access in order to efficiently manage client accounts.

• Facilitated new client accounts through referral and leads program.

• Created and tracked all expenses and client account codes utilizing QuickBooks accounting software.

• Scheduled client appointments and maintained busy attorney calendar. Knowledgeable and agile legal assistant offering varied experience working as office assistant in a lawyer's office and as a legal secretary in a corporate department. Qualifications include:

• Top-notch research skills – Detail oriented with ability to multi-task, prioritize and meet deadlines with large workload and tight turnaround, with sound follow-up.

• Knowledgeable of relevant legal jargon, processes and procedures.

• Superior communication (oral and written) and interpersonal skills (team oriented).

• Outstanding organizational ability, with a solid work ethic and enthusiasm.

• Good judgment and decision making.

Education

2008 Phoenix University Online,

Master of Science Legal Studies

2004 John Jay College of Criminal Justice New York City, NY

Bachelor of Science Criminal Justice and Minor in Paralegal Studies

References Furnished Upon Request

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