MARGARET D. THOMAS

acuuf9@r.postjobfree.com

510-***-****

Positive, optimistic professional with 15+ years’ proven track record working in a fast-paced legal environment and supported judges, attorneys and C-level Executives. Possess outstanding communication and research skills with a strong passion for excellence and infectious enthusiasm. Keen ability to restore order from chaos, managing case files involving multiple counsel in public interest class actions and appeals, with a special talent for collecting and organizing exhibits and other trial materials. CORE COMPETENCIES

Drafting pleadings and correspondence Court filings, both federal and state, e-filings Dictation transcription, case and administrative files maintenance, recordkeeping Calendar scheduling and conflict resolution

PC literate in Corel WordPerfect, MS Word Processing, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook Familiar with LEXIS/NEXIS, SharePoint and MAC basics

Client care and confidentiality, appointment scheduling, meetings organization Accounts receivables payables, law library, equipment maintenance

SELECTED ACHIEVEMENTS

Assisted in settlement of two 14-year-old public interest class action lawsuits Successfully operated a community legal education program assisting low-income clientswith housing and other domestic matters

Actively and successfully participated in legislative lobbying efforts on behalf of migrant farm worker client community RECENT RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

Working temporary assignments with local legal firms 5/13 to Present

Maintenance of databases, equipment and records

Drafting and editing of presentations, letters, emails, and legal documents with massive exhibits, including expert witness declarations

Order and organization of electronic and soft copy filing systems

Budget tracking, reducing costs while maintaining maximum efficiency

Research savvy, with successful emphasis on matters that affect the under-represented Law Offices of Richard M. Pearl, Berkeley, CA

Legal Assistant/Office Manager 2/98 to 4/13

Supported attorneys

Prepared legal documents and exhibits for court and executed filings

Managed law library and other information sources, including maintenance of case files

Answered phones and responded to information requests from clients and others

Distributed fee awards to designated settlement parties, prepared invoices and paid bills

Assisted bookkeeper with monthly duties, gathering needed information to reconciliation

Drafted correspondence to clients and courts, updated firm information with courts and other parties as needed

Conducted online research on active cases for motions and expert declarations Margaret D. Thomas

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United States District Court, Northern District of California, San Francisco, CA Judicial Assistant 12/86 to 1/98

Assisted judges and attorneys

Answered phones, greeted guests and acted as liaison for other federal agencies

Drafted correspondence and pleadings, maintained personal calendar and assisted Courtroom Deputy with court calendar to avoid conflicts

Managed law library and case files, distributed chambers information to other judges

Participated in interview process for law clerks and externs, assisted jurors, and prepared jury instructions post- trial

Prepared travel vouchers, and reviewed appointed counsel vouchers for submission for payment

Worked with federal law enforcement to facilitate secret testimony of special witnesses WORK HISTORY

Sedgwick, Detert, Moran & Arnold, San Francisco, CA Legal Secretary

Provided secretarial assistance to a partner and 2 associates in the firm, starting as a temp and shortly thereafter, offered and accepted a permanent placement.

Jones Hall Hill & White, San Francisco, CA

Closing Department Legal Assistant

Worked with underwriters and firm partners in successful finalization of municipal bond financings by obtaining necessary tax and expert documents, along with drafting of requisite trust agreements that comprised the deal. The Bank of California, N.A., San Francisco, CA

Legal DepartmentLegal Assistant/Secretary

Performed paralegal and secretarial duties to support the Bank’s chief litigator, earning a multi-step promotion after only 90 days that required the Bank President’s signature. Award was given because of successful return and closeout of cases contracted to outside counsel, saving the bank hundreds of thousands of dollars. Pillsbury, Madison &Sutro, San Francisco, CA

Anti-Trust DepartmentLitigation Secretary

Provided secretarial assistance to an associate whom I assisted in becoming partner, James L. Warren, grandson of Supreme Court Justice, Earl Warren. I was given awards for my “above and beyond” performance through his partnership campaign.

Served as manager of legislative office of poverty law program, reporting to the chief lobbyist/directing attorney. Actively participated in lobbying effort on behalf of client community. EDUCATION

Pomona College, Claremont, CA

Political Science/English studies

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