JESSICA Y. FORTUNE

*** *. ***** ******, *********, NC 27292 * Email: ad0xk8@r.postjobfree.com * Cell: 704-***-**** OBJECTIVE

• Obtain a position that utilizes my skills in an academic, business, legal, local government, or non-profit setting

PERFORMANCE PROFILE

• Organized and efficient, resourceful, bottom-line oriented, with strong drive to excel

• Performs confidently and effectively under pressure and thrives on challenge

• Quick to analyze and solve problems, investigative, logical and clear thinking

• Strong client advocate, with excellent interpersonal skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to maintain a positive professional relationship with clients, attorneys, and support staff

• Works well with diverse populations and age groups

• Team player—knows when to lead and when to follow COMPUTER SKILLS

Microsoft Office 365, Microsoft Outlook, Google Docs, CLIO Manage, LawPay, Lawmatics, Immigration Tracker 7.6, Title Express, various Internet Browsers, DTP Skills (Photoshop and PageMaker), 45 WPM, 10-key data entry skills, and general office equipment

RELEVANT WORK EXPERIENCE

Legal Administrative Assistant/Paralegal 05/2016 to present GPS LAW GROUP (formerly Douglas K. Simmons and Associates, PLLC), Charlotte, NC

• Manage client intake for the firm from inquiry to retainment

• Serve as the lead receptionist for the firm

• Serve as the liaison for the firm to the City of Charlotte for all submitted title search requests

• Respond to inquiries for assistance submitted through the firm’s website and online-based lead services

• Schedule appointments for three attorneys

• Perform many administrative tasks for the firm, such as renew E&O insurance, renew pre-paid legal plans accepted by the firm, collect payments for consultations and retainers, retrieve and send mail, create fee agreements and files, and maintain direct contact with potential and established clients

• Prepare Wills and Will-related documents

• Make deposits as directed

Case Manager 10/2015 to 04/2016

MetLife, Charlotte, NC

• Communicated and worked directly with agency new business contacts for all administrative related inquiries

• Assisted with obtaining all requirements for policy approval and issuance

• Assisted the Underwriter, as needed, throughout the life cycle of the application JESSICA Y. FORTUNE

Immigration Paralegal 06/2014 to 07/2015

Garfinkel Immigration Law Firm, Charlotte, NC

• Prepared employment-based petitions for submission to USCIS (AOS, L-2 EAD, Re-entry Permits, & I-90)

• Prepared Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Employment Authorization petitions for submission to USCIS

• Entered and uploaded USCIS Receipt Notices to Foreign Nationals (FNs) web portal accounts and to USCIS website to receive email notification alerts

• Contacted USCIS frequently to inquire about and resolve issues pertaining to petitioned benefits for FNs

• Prepared drafts of Form DS-160 for FNs seeking Non-Immigrant Visas (NIV Consular Processing)

• Prepared Approval Letters for FNs, Sent FNs Visa Bulletin updates, NATZ Reminders, I-751 Reminders, DACA/EAD Reminders, and Case Status Updates

• Assisted the PERM Team with follow up emails to FNs/HR for BioQ’s and Job Summary Sheets

• Sent PERM Case Status Updates to FNs/HR and performed Want Ad Searches for PERM FNs Paralegal 08/2002 to 06/2014

Douglas K. Simmons and Associates, PLLC, (Presently GPS LAW GROUP) Charlotte, NC

• Researched statutes and case law using NC General Statutes, Westlaw, and USCIS

• Responded to inquiries for assistance submitted through firm’s website via phone and email

• Informed clients of their pending court dates and maintained contact with clients via verbal status reports, written correspondence, and email

• Prepared and filed Motions for Appropriate Relief and other district court related pleadings for DWI or other traffic clients who could benefit from such Motions

• Performed courthouse errands—extensive knowledge of processes involved in filing petitions for expunction, Civil filings, recording deeds and deed-related documents, as well as obtaining documentation pertaining to judgments, traffic violations, and bankruptcy claims

• Prepared simple divorce pleadings, petitions for adoptions, and name changes

• Scheduled appointments for each attorney

• Performed many administrative duties for the firm, such as renewing E&O insurance, renewing pre-paid legal plans accepted by the firm, type dictated letters, etc.

• Prepared family-based immigration petitions and Naturalization petitions for submission to USCIS for three years. Filed forms I-130, I-131, I-134, I-485, I-864, I-751, and N-400.

• Made deposits as directed and reconciled three trust accounts for four years Achievements

Prepared bids for major RFPs solicited by the City of Charlotte in 2003, 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016 & 2020

Our firm was interviewed and awarded segments of each bid for each year referenced

The firm has earned over One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) throughout the course of our 20-year run VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE

Jalloh’s Upright Immigration Services of North Carolina, Greensboro, NC 06/2022 to 10/2022 Immigration Paralegal

• Assisted with the preparation of forms DS-160, I-130, I-131, I-134, I-485, I-864, I-751, I-765, N-400, etc.

• Served as an assistant to the Executive Director JESSICA Y. FORTUNE

Campaign Manager for David Granberry 04/2012 to 11/2012 Former Register of Deeds for Mecklenburg County (2 Terms) 04/2008 to 11/2008

• Established and maintained a calendar of events and appearances

• Organized fundraisers

EDUCATION

Central Piedmont Community College, Charlotte, NC 08/2001 to 05/2004 Diploma for Paralegal Technology

UNC Charlotte, Charlotte, NC 08/1989 to 05/1994

BA in English

VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES

ESL Tutor International House, Charlotte, NC 2014

ESL Teaching Assistant Catholic Social Services Refugee Program, Charlotte, NC 2006-2007/2009-2010 MEMBERSHIP AFFILIATIONS

Amnesty International 1991 to present

WFAE 90.7 (Charlotte’s NPR News Source) 2014 to present Democratic Women of Davidson County 2017 to present Board Member of Friends of Lexington Library (FOLL) 2021 to present REFERENCES

Dr. Cynthia C. Combs

Political Science Professor and former Model United Nations (MUN) Advisor Lenoir-Rhyne University

625 7th Ave NE, Hickory, NC 28601

Email: ad0xk8@r.postjobfree.com

Cell: 828-***-****

J. David Granberry

Former Mecklenburg County Register of Deeds

10969 Heritage Green Drive

Cornelius, NC 28031-7407

Email: ad0xk8@r.postjobfree.com

Office: 704-***-****

Dr. Gregory A. Wickliff

English Professor

University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 9201 University City Boulevard English Department (COAS), 260E Fretwell Building, Charlotte, NC 28223-0001 Email: ad0xk8@r.postjobfree.com

Cell: 704-***-**** Home: 704-***-****

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