Paralegal/ Legal Assistant

NICOLE SAMUELS

** ******* ******, ********, ** * 8873

Home: 732-***-**** - C ell: 732-***-**** - ***********@*****.***

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Detail-oriented Paralegal with a demonstrated commitment to excellence, ethical

processing and client confidentiality with over 5 years work experience in preparing and

filing urgent pleadings for litigation. Also a professional and reliable Legal Assistant

offering excellent analytical and problem solving skills. Exceptionally fluent in legal

terminology.

SKILLS

Legal correspondence preparation 45 W PM typing speed

Legal/non-legal research

Writing and editing

Active listener

Computer-savvy

MS Office

Document management

Sound judgment Executive calendars

Switchboard operation Efficient multi-tasker

Inventory management Spreadsheets

5 years in legal administration Editing and proofreading

Account administration Switchboard operation

Legal jargon knowledge Proficient in MS Office

Exceptional writer Strong work ethic

Strong legal background

WORK HISTORY

06/2010 t o Current Paralegal/Administrative Assistant

Menar & Menar Law Office – New Brunswick, New Jersey

Responsible for creating and documenting files for new clients; documents general

office duties including faxing, typing, and filing of legal forms and petitions,

answering incoming calls; direct visitors to designated locations, billing processes,

and up keep of the company's email accounts for all personnel.

Produced legal documents such as, pleadings, appeals, wills and contracts.

Assisted in complex litigation through discovery, trial and extensive client/expert

contact.

Organized and maintained documents and case files.

Prepared witness, discovery, pleading, trial and exhibit binders for oral argument and

depositions.

Filed all pleadings with the court clerk.

Prepared for trials by organizing exhibits and other key evidence.

Directed and coordinated law office activity, including delivery of subpoenas.

Developed a working relationship with courts, clients, debtors and attorneys.

Assisted attorneys with reviewing and organizing witness reports.

Contacted clients to schedule appointments and discuss the progress of cases.

Filed all court documents on behalf of the attorneys.

Acted as first point of contact for all clients.

Prepared for trials by conducting legal research and drafting pleadings.

Assisted up to t wo lawyers at a time.

Met with clients to update them on progress of cases.

Managed accounts and records of clients with the highest levels of confidentiality

and discretion.

Worked as a team with attorneys, administrative assistants and fellow legal

a ssistants.

Produced legal documents such as briefs, pleadings and appeals.

08/2008 to 0 3/2009 Legal Assistant/ Receptionist

Law Offices of Joan O. Pinnock, P.C – Newark, New Jersey

Responsible for creating and documenting files for new clients; process payroll

documents general office duties including faxing, typing, and filing of legal forms and

petitions, answering incoming calls; direct visitors to designated locations, billing

processes, and up keep of the company's email accounts for all personnel.

Organized and maintained documents and case files.

Managed and organized all aspects of legal transactions coordinating document flow

and logistical preparation for complex legal closings.

Directed and coordinated law office activity, including delivery of subpoenas.

Developed a working relationship with courts, clients, debtors and attorneys.

Assisted attorneys with reviewing and organizing witness reports.

Contacted clients to schedule appointments and discuss the progress of cases.

Dictated all weekly and bi-weekly calendar meetings.

Met with clients to update them on progress of cases.

Worked as a team with attorneys, administrative assistants and fellow legal

assistants.

06/2007 to 0 7/2007 Intern

U.S. Federal Probation – Newark, New Jersey

Responsible for typing and formatting criminal background information on offenders

that are entering into or are currently on probation, communicating with other law

enforcement agencies for records and scheduling of transport to court appearances for

those in custody, transfer of data for offenders that violated the terms of their

probation, faxing, typing, filing of legal forms, petitions, and reports.

Organized and maintained law libraries, documents and case files.

Conducted background investigations on the defendant.

09/2003 to 1 2/2010 Nursing Unit Secretary/Administrative Assistant

Saint Peters University Hospital – New Brunswick, New Jersey

Responsible for managing patient's accounts and assisting in patient education,

perform medical data entry and billing, faxing, typing, and filing of medical forms and

documents, Greet visitors; answer, screen, and direct all incoming calls.

Performed office support functions.

Correctly coded and billed medical claims for various hospital and nursing facilities.

Scheduled appointments, registered patients and distributed sample pharmaceuticals

as prescribed.

Professionally and courteously verified appointment times with patients.

Assisted in the maintenance of medical charts and/or electronic medical record (filing,

Op Reports, test results, home care forms).

Meticulously identified and rectified inconsistencies, deficiencies and discrepancies

in medical documentation.

Maintained updated knowledge of coding requirements, through continuing

education and certification renewal.

Entered orders into the EMR system efficiently and without errors.

Prepared patient charts accurately and neatly for the clinic.

Prepared patient charts, pre-admissions and consent forms as necessary.

Compiled necessary documents for surgical billing packages.

Performed qualitative analysis of records to ensure accuracy, internal consistency and

correlation of recorded data.

Expertly transcribed medical reports for a variety of physicians in a hospital setting.

Interacted with providers and other medical professionals regarding billing and

d ocumentation policies, procedures and regulations.

Treated all patients, their families, visitors, peers, staff and providers in a pleasant and

courteous manner.

09/2002 to 0 5/2007 Campus Information Service Representative/ Office Assistant

Rutgers University – Newark, New Jersey

Assist administrative staff with daily operations of departmental functions including

processing of payroll documents, one on one interviewing with new student

employees, faxing, typing, and filing documents for future recall.

Answering incoming calls and directing visitors to their necessary destination.

Managed office supplies, vendors, organization and upkeep.

Directed guests and routed deliveries and courier services.

Answered and managed incoming and outgoing calls while recording accurate

messages.

Opened and properly distributed incoming mail.

Greeted numerous visitors, including VIPs, vendors and interview candidates.

Helped distribute employee notices and mail around the office.

Maintained a clean reception area, including lounge and associated areas.

Assisted with event planning, including associated travel and logistical

arrangements.

Completed data entry, tracked resumes and maintained the applicant tracking system.

Assisted senior recruiting staff with career fairs and recruiting events.

Screened all visitors and directed them to the correct employee or office.

Answered and quickly redirected up to 2 0+ calls per 5 hour period

10/2002 to 0 9/2003 Nutrition Aide/Server

Abel Leasing – New Brunswick, NJ

Consistently provided friendly guest service and heartfelt hospitality.

Promptly and empathetically handled guest concerns and complaints.

Demonstrated integrity and honesty while interacting with guests, team members and

managers.

Greeted customers and provided excellent customer service.

Pleasantly and courteously interacted with customers.

Built loyal clientele through friendly interactions and consistent appreciation.

Prepared all food orders within a 2-3 minute time frame.

Assembled food orders while maintaining appropriate portion control.

Verified that prepared food met all standards for quality and quantity.

Prepared a variety of foods according to customers' orders or supervisors'

instructions, following approved procedures.

Placed food trays over food warmers for immediate service or stored them in

refrigerated storage cabinets.

Followed food safety procedures according to company policies and health and

sanitation regulations.

Prepared quality products while maintaining proper food safety practices, portion

control and presentation within service goal times.

Maintained clean and safe environment, including in the kitchen, bathrooms.

Reported to each shift on time and ready to work.

Performed all position responsibilities accurately and in a timely manner.

08/2002 to 0 9/2002 Cashier

Jiffy Lube – North Brunswick, NJ

Answered an average of 6 calls per day by addressing customer inquiries, solving

problems and providing new product information.

Greeted customers entering the store to ascertain what each customer wanted or

needed.

Politely assisted customers in person and via telephone.

Communicated with vendors regarding back order availability, future inventory and

special orders.

Provided an elevated customer experience to generate a loyal clientèle.

01/2002 Seasonal Sales Representative

1 0/2001 Gap Inc – East Brunswick, NJ

Answered questions regarding the store and its merchandise.

Greeted customers and ascertained customers' needs.

Helped customers with questions, problems and complaints in person and via

telephone.

Stocked shelves and supplies and organized displays.

Organized racks and shelves to maintain the visual appeal of the store.

Developed positive customer relationships through friendly greetings and excellent

service.

E Bachelor of Science : Criminal Justice Political Science

May of 2015 Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey Newark College of Arts and Sciences -

Newark, New Jersey

Criminal Justice

Coursework in Criminology and Criminal Justice

Coursework in Law Enforcement

Coursework in Child and Adolescent Psychology

Social Justice coursework

Minor in Political Science

3.5 GPA

Coursework in Planning Research Methods

Paralegal Studies

Raritan Valley Community College - New Jersey

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