Executive / Administrative Assistant
Resume:
MELISSA
MCLACHLAN
*****************@*****.***
Vancouver, WA 98662
Seeking full-time position that offers professional challenges utilizing interpersonal skills, excellent time management and problem-solving skills.
SUMMARY
Vancouver Defenders - Licensed Legal Intern
01/2021 - 07/2023
Jeffrey D. Barrar, P.S. - Office Administrator
Vancouver, WA • 01/2015 - 01/2021
Clark County - Criminal Department Lead
Vancouver, WA • 11/2013 - 12/2014
Clark County - Judicial Proceedings Specialist
Vancouver, WA • 08/2002 - 11/2013
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
Interviewed clients and potential witnesses to obtain information relevant to cases, in furtherance of providing accurate advice to clients.
•
Conducted legal research and drafted appropriate pleadings in order to resolve cases while reducing client exposure.
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Filed and argued cases before the Clark County District Court, including jury trials.
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• Managed over 800 cases during period of internship. Applied advanced administrative and analytical skills in overseeing day-to-day operational activities including licensing, record keeping and financial processing.
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Recruited, interviewed and hired employees while cultivating positive rapport to promote employee retention.
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Supervised front office staff of 8 for law firm averaging, on rolling basis, over 4,000 open cases.
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Communicated with managers of other departments to assess workload balance and staffing allocation.
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Managed team schedules, department projects and introduced new methods to increase efficiency for staff of 12 Judicial Proceedings Specialists.
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Conducted performance evaluations and conveyed constructive feedback to improve staff skills.
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Prepared court dockets and weekly hearing schedules for courtroom work group, including other administrative functions while assigned to Superior Court Drug Court (2002-2009).
•
STRENGTHS
Excellent verbal and written
communication skills
•
Proficient in Microsoft Office
Suite
•
• Staff management experience
Strong client relations and
retention
•
• Highly organized
Measurably increased and
maintained sales
•
• Litigation experience
• Fiscal management
Washington State Bar Association
Seattle, WA • 11/2021
Certificate of Completion: Law
Clerk Program, APR6
Washington State University
Pullman, WA • 05/2016
Bachelor of Arts: Criminal Justice
and Criminology
EDUCATION
Metro Bonding / Western Surety - Office Manager
Tacoma, WA • 05/1999 - 04/2002
Clark County - Court Assistant II
Vancouver, WA • 04/1988 - 05/1999
Attended court hearings and trials to keep accurate minutes, document proceedings and manage exhibits.
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Entered hearing outcomes, status changes and pleadings into Judicial Information System.
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Served as acting Criminal Department Lead during vacancy of position (2012-2013).
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Increased productivity and sales by more than double, to over $1M monthly, while reducing corporate liability.
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Managed compliance, training and licensing requirements, for corporation(s) and individual agents (16), to maintain operation within legal and regulatory guidelines.
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Prepared and presented financial reports to ownership interests
(monthly), shareholders (quarterly) and regulatory agencies
(annually).
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Served on legislative action committee to establish licensing requirements and regulations for fugitive recovery agents operating within the State of Washington.
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Maintained court dockets and updated disposition of cases after court hearings and trials for Superior Court Judges and Court Commissioners.
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Collected court fees and fines and recorded amounts collected in Judicial Information System.
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Responded to requests for information from public, other municipalities or state and federal legislative offices.
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