Legal Secretary Administration
Resume:
Allison MacInnes
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
*******.********@***.***
Contract Assignment
June 2015 to June 2016 Friesen & Associates – Orange, CA
I have been working with employment agencies in and around Orange County since June of 2015. Currently, I am a contracted employee with Friesen & Associates, located in Orange, CA. This firm handles a variety of cases, i.e. Employment Disputes, Discrimination, Fraud and Elder Abuse, etc. These types of cases are new to my “wheelhouse” but presented a great learning opportunity. My time with this contract has come to a close and I resume my search for temporary-to-permanent or permanent employment.
Temporary Assignments /Legal Secretary/Assistant
May 2014 to March 2015
I worked independently with employment agencies in and around Orange County, as well as a large number of employment websites like Monster, Indeed, etc. I accepted various short-term assignments as well as temporary-to-hire positions presented to me by these agencies or found on my own.
McNeil Tropp & Braun, LLP – Irvine: I contracted to be the Assistant to a Partner and one Associate in this Insurance Defense Litigation firm located in Irvine. I was responsible for all duties of a Legal Secretary/Assistant, including, but not limited to, digital dictation, the noticing of any and all depositions, motions, events or trials as required, preparing correspondence written to clients, co-counsel, opposing counsel and various insurance carriers, etc. I arranged property and vehicle inspections, Examinations under Oath; obtained interpreters when necessary and secured conference rooms. I prepared, filed and served Probate Petitions, Orders and related documents. Any and all calendaring events, tasks, reminders, etc. were input manually and without the use of a case management system. I am comfortable and familiar with the typical requirements for preparing and filing documents with the court either by e-filing or utilizing an attorney service. I ordered medical records and films, logged them in and provided them to the handling attorney for his/her review and report to the claims adjuster assigned to the matter. I interacted daily with our insureds, claims adjusters, opposing counsel and my fellow support staff.
June 2013 to March 2014
I returned to Atlanta, as all but one my renters left and I needed to make some financial and personal decisions there. I had hopes of finding employment as a Legal Secretary but, after months of trying, I was unsuccessful due to the fact that I had no experience in the “Law” in the State of Georgia. I placed my home on the market and began looking for work in California via the internet and word of mouth. I ultimately sold my home and moved back to California to continue my search where I had a substantial job and residence history.
Legal Secretary
August 2012 to March 2013 Musick, Peeler & Garrett – Costa Mesa, California
This Firm was a full service California business law firm with offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Orange County, Westlake Village and Santa Barbara. As Legal Secretary to an Associate and one partner was responsible for the electronic filing of court documents in Civil as well as Federal Court, along with calendaring events and deadlines in Vision/Compulaw. I scheduled and prepared notices for depositions, mediations, client/attorney meetings, tracking and following upon on discovery deadlines, responsive pleadings, motions, etc. and entering attorney time sheets each week. I handled a variety of cases which made for a diverse and challenging work load.
Co-Owner & Store Manager
March 2012 to July 2012 Dolce Kosher Catering & Bakery – Atlanta, Georgia
Moved to Atlanta Georgia where I purchased a home and where I had the opportunity to partner with old colleagues in this business venture. As such, I was co-owner and manager of this store and was the only physical employee. I was in charge of everything from the opening of the store at 6:00 a.m. replenishing the baked goods, taking phone orders for all major Jewish holidays as well as orders for birthday cakes, wedding cakes, etc. I worked hand-in-hand with the catering staff by coordinating and assisted in preparation of food, or any catering needs whenever necessary; daily interaction with all customers, vendors, as well as promotion of the bakery by pursuing new clients, schools, businesses and vendors. Sadly, the business failed, but I did receive a job opportunity in California. As such, I rented out my house in Atlanta and returned to California to begin work.
Legal Secretary Staff Counsel – Sentry Insurance Co. of Wisconsin
May 2005 to February 2012 Gomes, Hirshik & Hummel - Irvine, California
Duties included preparing and filing of pleadings with the various Courts in multiple counties; arranging and scheduling depositions, meetings with clients and court hearing dates with the court clerks. Voluminous transcription of dictated material as well as creating Notices of Rulings, draft motions, discovery requests and responses, various correspondence as requested by the attorneys. Responsible for the calendaring of hearings, meetings, deadlines, etc. for two attorneys. The job required a great deal of Customer Service and direct communication with insurance company, insurance adjusters and clients. The ability to multi-tasking was key.
Legal Secretary
February 2001 to March 2005 Cullins & Grandy - Laguna Hills, California
Legal Assistant and Office Administrator for this Civil Litigation and Insurance Defense office. Prepared all pleadings, ordered copies of medical records, ordered all office supplies, dealt with vendors, prepared pleadings and motions and filed them with the Court. Customer service comprising of daily interaction and communication with insureds, clients, court reporters, all counsel and court clerks. Scheduled, arranged and calendared depositions, mediations, meetings as well as being solely responsible for the month-end billing.
Legal Secretary Staff Counsel for Cal Farm Insurance Company
October 1993 to January 2001 Bolton, Gomes & Jackson - Santa Ana, CA
As Staff Counsel for Cal Farm Insurance Company. Maintained a heavy Civil Litigation / Insurance Defense desk, as well as Construction Defect. Prepared pleadings and motions and filed them with the Court. Daily interaction with insureds, court reporters, all counsel and court clerks. Scheduled, arranged and calendared depositions and meetings.
Background
Over thirty (30) years of legal secretarial and assistance experience in civil litigation and insurance defense. I have extensive experience and I am very familiar with civil litigation, pleadings, forms and forms programs, civil codes and procedures, drafting Notices, Discovery/Responses, Templates for relatively any pleading, etc. I am also proficient in the workings of In House / Staff Counsel for insurance companies. I have excellent communication and intra-personal skills which allows me to have established excellent business relationships with all clients, insurance adjusters, experts, opposing counsel, court clerks, etc. I work well independently as well, with minimal supervision and instruction, but I am not afraid to ask questions. I am able to effectively multi-task while meeting tight deadlines.
Software
Microsoft Word & Office – 2007 & 2010
Adobe
Legal Solutions
Pro Law
Outlook
Vision / Compulaw
PDF Docs
Time Slips
Pacer
I Manage
Team Matters
***Salary Requirements, Professional and Personal References Upon Request**
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