Immigration Paralegal

Akiko Yamashita

*********@*****.*** ? 201-***-****

Paralegal

Corporate Law International Business

Self-motivated and versatile paralegal professional with outstanding

communications and organizational skills. Diverse background in both legal

and business arenas. Proven ability to successfully manage multiple complex

tasks simultaneously. Builds effective relationships with clients, peers,

staff, and attorneys to expedite service and drive productivity. Fluent in

English, Japanese, and Spanish. Core competencies include:

( Organization ( Windows, MS Office Suite

( Communications ( PC Law, Traker

( Legal Research ( QuickBooks

( Documentation ( Challenge Booking/Communications

( Client Relations ( Lotus, Opera Apollo, TR Booking

Professional Experience

NPZ Law Group, P.C., Ridgewood, NJ

2009 - Present

Immigration Specialist

Experienced Paralegal with excellent case management and client relations

skills seeking a position within a firm where a working knowledge in

business & family immigration pertaining to the following cases will be

fully utilized and expanded. Assist a team of 4 attorneys in all aspects of

immigration including legal research, factual investigations, provides

administrative support. Prepare petitions and applications to be filed with

U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services including but not limited to family-

based petitions, naturalization application, employment-based petitions,

labor certifications (perm process), adjustment of status applications,

consular processing etc.

. Prepare, organize, and file timely the business/employment-based

nonimmigrant/immigrant and family-based applications and petitions (B-

1/B-2, H-1B/H-4 (including PAF), L-1/L-2, O-1/O-2, OR/OP, Schedule A

Group II/Group I, E1-3, E-1/E-2, E-3, P-3, R-1, I-360, TN NAFTA, AOS

(including EA and AP)) for submission with the USCIS, CBP, U.S. DOHS,

U.S. DOL, U.S. DOS and U.S. embassies abroad

. Draft and finalize RFE responses with minimum supervision

. Preparation of PERM labor certification cases

. Preparation and filing of clients' applications for upcoming

nonimmigrant/immigrant interviews at USCIS and at U.S. embassies

abroad

. Preparation and filing the application to request clients' files from

FOIA requests with USCIS

. Preparation and submit correspondences to attorneys and clients

. Extensive communication with government agencies and clients

. Meet with new and existing clients to conduct intake and/or to gather

relevant supporting documentations?

. Send and extract data from questionnaires, maintain clients' files

containing visas and other personal documentation, perform data

entries and maintain client information database,

. Draft emails and correspondence, assist attorneys with identifying

case issues and planning strategy

. Perform legal research, assemble and analyze case information, gather

and preserve client documentation, distill and summarize all data to

facilitate case preparation and presentation

. Teleconferences with clients discussing the cases, documents and

answering any queries or concerns he/she may have

. Monitor and document case progress and status (including elapsed

cases), forward issues and reports to supervisor

. Independently handle large-volume caseload, review files on regular

basis, consult with attorneys and prepare status reports for clients

. Create, maintain, and utilize tickler system, database, master

dockets, and calendars

. Translate documents of Japanese/Spanish documents into English and

vice versa

. Process payments and discuss outstanding balance with clients

. Assist on special/urgent projects as assigned

Formation of LLC

. Assist client with process of establishing LLC in State of New Jersey

. Provide guidance in acquisition of EIN and filling out Corporate Book

. Assist clients with necessary amendments on the corporate formation,

EIN with IRS and on stock ownership

Litigation

2009 - 2010

. Assisted attorney in all aspects of litigation including legal

research, factual investigations, drafted and edited legal documents,

provided administrative trial support including scheduling and tracked

of court dates and maintaining client files and case histories

. Interacted with and responded to the needs of attorneys and office

personnel regarding ongoing case matters

. Assembled, gatheredd and prepared revalent documents, organized and

created document exhibits and appendices to support motion filings.

Reviewed, prepared, proofed, and filed court documentation. Produced,

binded, and distributed both file and courtesy copies

. Assisted attorney filing case materials in Bergen County Superior

Court, NJ

. Created, maintained, and searched internal and external databases and

sources to gather relevant information

. Kept office payment records including monthly office expenses reports

. Implemented, established and maintained new in-house files organize

chronologically, numerically, or by subject. Collaborated with

attorneys to arrange files by subject matter and prepare a chronology

of facts and make production charts to increase staff and office

effectiveness in tracking cases filed and follow-ups

. Coordinated trial preparation and liaised between trial attorneys and

in-house staff

La Coume Wines LLC, NY & NJ

2009 - 2010

Administration

. Researched all regulations including FDA, NJ Department of Law &

Public Safety-Division of Alcohol Beverage Control, etc.

. Registered company with FDA

. Worked with owners in communications and price setting for warehouse

lots

. Assisted with calculating prices for imported French wines for

wholesale buyers

. Worked with French vendors and company personnel in France concerning

label regulations

. Provided administrative assistance to sales personnel with orders and

warehouse operations

. Prepared checks and invoices

H.I.S. International Tours (NY), Inc., New York, NY

2007 - 2009

Representative, Sales Division (Hotel Contracting)

. Conducted market research and established and renewed contracts with

hotels

. Reviewed and drafted all contracts for presentation to Japanese

headquarters

. Informed headquarters of rates, special seasonal offers, facility

information, and pictures to upload onto web

. Monitored and documented weekly production and collaborated with

executives

. Facilitated smooth booking procedures with reservations department and

rove increased sales productivity

. Provided customer support and service to other departments

Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Marunouchi, Tokyo, Japan

2005 - 2006

Reservations, PBX Department

. Supplied exceptional customer service to internal and external callers

. Utilized extensive product and service knowledge to provide one step

solutions to issues

. Provided colorful word pictures of accommodations and offered best

rates possible

. Worked closely with all departments to verify all reservation details

prior to arrival

Grand Hyatt Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan

2003 - 2005

Communications Centre Clerk (Operator) - Covered by KDDI Evolva

. Handled all calls from guests, staff, and external customers in a

professional, efficient manner

. Gathered and utilized extensive knowledge of local area to give

customers concierge service

. Delivered top-tier customer service utilizing exceptional

communications and problem-solving skills

. Interface with all employees to assure accurate product knowledge,

promotional awareness, and service standards

Front Desk Clerk - Covered by KDDI Evolva

. Supplied courteous and efficient check-in and check-out services

. Presented and collected bills professionally

. Promoted and upsold hotel rooms, programs, and services

Silicon Image, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA

2002 - 2003

Logistics Coordinator

. Managed daily supply chain logistics with foundries, assembly and test

facilities

. Submitted purchase orders for wafer, assembly, and test builds

according to master and R&D planners

. Interfaced with all departments on timely delivery of prototype and

pre-production products of ICs and PCBs

. Oversaw subcontractor schedules and expedited process to meet customer

demand

. Monitored and resolved WIP, assembly, and test issues

. Facilitated accounting, invoicing, and purchasing functions

. Tracked and reported all prototypes and pre-production products to

various departments

Hotel Nikko San Francisco, San Francisco, CA

2000 - 2001

Reservations Agent

. Booked hotel rooms and other amenities for guests, travel agents, and

in-house sales department

. Managed and expedited corporate and group reservations, assured

accuracy and fulfillment of requests

Four Seasons Hotel - Chinzansou, Tokyo, Japan

Summers of 1998 & 1999

Lounge Attendant at SPA Health Club (Internship)

. Prepared and served food and beverages to hotel patrons and SPA

members

. Translated marketing materials for Japanese to English and vice versa

for internal and customer use

Education/Credentials

Paralegal Certification, Duke University Online Program, 2009 - 2010

Bachelor of Science, Business Administration - University of Denver, 1996 -

2000

LEADERSHIP/ASSOCIATION

Japanese Student Association University of Denver 1996 through 2000,

Secretary, 1999 - 2000

International Student Organization University of Denver 1996 through 2000,

Vice-President, 1997 - 1998

International Team University of Denver 1997 through 2000

Colorado Restaurant Association - Student Chapter, Secretary, 1997 - 1998

Club Management Association of America - Student Chapter, Secretary, 1997 -

1998

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