EDUCATION:
Metropolitan Community College, Omaha, NE Estimated Date: December 2017
Associates in Applied Science Information Technology Server Administration
Iowa Central Community College, Fort Dodge, IA Graduation Date: April 2012
Paralegal Certificate
Prince Institute, Westminster, CO Graduation Date: January 2009
Associates in Applied Science
STRENGTHS:
Strong background in the legal field with additional experience in sales, customer service, and business relations
Exceptional written and oral communication skills; extensive experience in conducting research, analysis and reporting; effective presentation skills
Strong organizational and editing skills; excellent attention to detail; tireless problem-solver with the ability to work both independently and as a team
Excellent computer skills including, but not limited to, the following: Microsoft Office Suite, Word Perfect, Adobe Acrobat Pro, Sharefile, Citrix, 10-key, Several State Government Systems, Case CATalyst software/real-time, Juris Suite, Westlaw Next, Time Matters, and ProLaw
EMPLOYMENT EXPERIENCE:
Fredericks Peebles & Morgan LLP, Omaha, NE
Paralegal/Legal Secretary February 2010 - Present
Prepare and file documents necessary for forming and maintaining business entities as well as complex litigation
Complete and maintain corporate records such as biennial reports, minutes of meetings, and tax reports
Draft corporate resolutions, amendments to bylaws and articles, and other business related documents
Coordinate and assist in due diligence investigations
Assist attorneys in collecting information, preparing and processing legal documents and papers, drafting and typing office memos, calendaring and docket management, e-filing, scheduling, and document drafting
Manage summonses, subpoenas, complaints, appeals, motions, contracts, pretrial agreements, discovery, document review, production, interviews, trial preparation, etc.
Demonstrate excellent knowledge of federal, state, and tribal court rules and procedures, and litigation processes; recognized for ability to manage a large case load
Arrange delivery of legal correspondence to clients, witnesses, and court officials via e-filing, mailing, and faxing
Schedule and make appointments, facilitate effective calendar management and customer service while balancing attorney workloads
Photocopy; organize and maintain correspondence, documents, and printed materials
Firm Technology Specialist March 2014 - Present
Primary contact for end-users within the firm as well as the firm’s IT vendors
Support and assist the firm’s IT vendors with managing all firm IT equipment, hardware, software, computers, and tablets
Answer, evaluate, and prioritize incoming telephone, voicemail, e-mail, and in-person requests for assistance from end users experiencing problems with hardware, applications, networking, and other computer-related technologies
Collect information about problems and lead end users through diagnostic procedures to determine the source of errors and escalate when needed and maintain records related to any problems
Maintain documentation on all aspects of the company’s IT infrastructure and IT procedures to ensure reproducibility and stability
Regularly test software programs and hardware to evaluate ease of use and determine whether the product will aid end users in performing work more efficiently
Train end users on software and hardware on-site or via teleconference, or recommend outside contractors to provide training
Install computers, software, and peripheral equipment as needed and review requests for additions or changes to existing IT infrastructure and make determinations regarding feasibility in order to maintain appropriate levels of service, schedule maintenance of our IT infrastructure and services through contracted vendors, ensuring limited down time, help to develop plans to ensure that the long-term IT needs are identified and met
Assisted in planning, evaluating, and implemented the firm’s IT infrastructure changes and upgrade to a load balanced terminal server from the previous multi-site, multi-premise based server
Project managed migration and integration into the firm’s new state of the art practice management system (ProLaw) from an original manual document management system
Business Development Assistant February 2010 - Present
Support the Director of Business Development to capture client relationship opportunities by tracking and maintaining all client development reports, reviewing and assisting with preparing requests for proposals (“RFPs”), establishing timelines, and providing a proposal schedule
Coordinate and assist in organizing deliverables and establishing internal deadlines,
Gather required proposal content while maintaining ongoing communications of document status with the Director of Business Development
Proofread, review drafts, and prepare final formatting of all proposal documents for submittal; prepare final proposal document production in print and/or electronic format
Ensure the response to the RFP is in compliance with all formatting, content requirements, and organizational proposal guidelines
Prepare all PowerPoint presentations and any additional proposal-related documents
Maintain and update proposal related charts and databases, and any other duties as required by the Director of Business Development
Thomas Inkelaar Attorney At Law, LLC, Omaha, NE October 2009-February 2010
Legal Secretary
Supported civil litigation, personal injury, family law, and criminal services while performing administrative and paralegal tasks
Interviewed and interacted with potential and current clients, attorneys and court staff
Drafted letters and pleadings, reviewed medical records
Prepared medical chronologies
Drafted demand letters, witness and exhibit lists
Prepared and compiled discovery responses
Opened and organized files
Handled any other assignments
Thibault, Suhr & Thibault, Inc., Omaha, NE June 2009-September 2009
Court Reporter
Recorded verbatim proceedings using stenograph machine
Read aloud portions previously recorded
Transcribed recorded proceedings in accordance with established formats
Filed and stored shorthand notes of proceedings
Provided transcripts of proceedings upon request to judges, lawyers, or the public