Litigation Legal Secretary
Resume:
Debra J. Budge
Los Angeles, CA 90065
E-mail: ***********@***.***
Cell: 323-***-****
Fax: 323-***-****
EDUCATION: Shasta Jr. College, Redding, CA 1976-78 – Business Education
UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 1979; - Journalism; Business Administration *CA Notary Public
LACC, Los Angeles, CA 1980-81 –Business Administration
Glendale Community College, 2006 – 2010 – Real Estate Real Estate License No. 01396327
SKILLS WORD PROCESSING - PROGRAMS LEGAL EXPERIENCE E
Litigation preparation
Typing 80+
Microsoft Word
Outlook
30+Years Legal Lit.
Bankruptcy Filing
Bookkeeping [A/P - A/R]
Telephones
Word Perfect
Legal Solutions
Superior Crt. Filing
Corporate Law
Office Management
Client/Atty billing
TimeSlips/Carpe Diem
Excel
Federal Crt. Filing
Arbitration/JAMS
Legal Calendaring
Fax & E-Filing
PC Docs/ ProLaw/ Imanage
NetDocs
Appeal Filing
Insurance Defense
Scanning
ECF/Pacer Filing
Best Case Bankruptcy program
Patent/Trademark
Complex Litigation
Redlining
TOC/TOA
CompuLaw
Entertainment Law
Medical Malpractice
Transcription expert
All areas of law
2/1/15 - Present
VARIOUS PRESTIGIOUS LEGAL TEMPORARY AGENCIES – Long and short term legal contract positions.
7/15/13 – 2/1/15
JACKS & MAYBAUM LLP For Reference call: Jane E. Randolph, Esq. 213-***-****
811 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 975
Los Angeles, CA 90017 213-***-****
A former colleague, upon learning of my availability, recruited me for the position at an insurance defense firm in downtown Los Angeles. The office also handles personal injury, medical malpractice and business litigation. My secretarial responsibilities included heavy dictation, preparing voluminous discovery documents, and Answers, prepared filings, scanning and serving legal documents via attorney service, e-filing, and fax filing. I handled complex litigation documents to be filed and served. I prepared TOC/TOAs and also maintained and updated the office calendar. I handled receptionist duties and helped answer incoming calls. The paralegal and I reworked the entire filing system when the company file clerk left. We opened files, closed files and prepared files to be sent to storage. The company projected growth in 2014, but it fell short and people were let go. I feel confident that my skills, experience and teamwork orientation would prove to be valuable assets to a law firm in good standing.
3/11 - 6/15/13
HICKS GAUMER LLP For Reference call: Christie Gaumer, Partner 213-***-****
824 Wilshire Blvd., #300 Tamara Dewar, Associate 310-***-****
Los Angeles, CA 90017 213-***-****
I was employed at Hicks Gaumer LLP. The company was a well respected law firm which specializes in a number of areas, including insurance defense, real estate, patent and trademark law, business litigation, bankruptcy and appeals. The principals were undergoing a difficult partnership split. The job required multi-tasking and attention to detail and I’m thankful my many years of experience prepared me for the heavy work load. Among my many duties were local, regional and national e-filings for cases scheduled in civil, federal, Appellate and Bankruptcy Courts. After the partners dissolved their relationship, the case load diminished and the firm began to struggle. Ultimately the firm was evicted from their offices and most of the staff was let go.
3/98- 3/11 - Contract Assignments – Through reputable temporary agencies, I continuously worked on contract assignments as a legal secretary in all legal fields, including but not limited to litigation and corporate, real estate, patent & trademark law, insurance defense, labor law, entertainment, bankruptcy and civil rights. The nature of working as a temporary is beneficial, in that large law firms require 2 or 3 days of training on the latest legal programs as to ensure that the employee will be competent in procedures of the firm. Major firms I worked with on a regular basis include: White & Case; McKenna, Long & Aldridge; Pillsbury Winthrop; Morrison & Foerster; Hill Farrer Burrill; Dewey Ballantine and Heller Ehrman. I also worked at Sidley Austin; Riordin & McKinzie and other large and small firms.
Page 2
3/91 - 3/98
LAW OFFICES OF RONALD JASON PALMIERI For Reference call: 323-***-****/ 760-***-****
1644 N. Orange Grove Ave. or E-mail: **********@***.***
Los Angeles, CA 90046 323-***-****
During my seven (7) year tenure at the Law Offices of Ronald Jason Palmieri my position was that of the offices’ sole administrator/legal secretary in a very busy law office. My responsibilities were many, including, but not limited to, the typing, filing and service of all litigation documents, as well as all responsibilities of a working legal office. I answered the telephones, sent facsimiles, mail and kept client files and Mr. Palmieri’s personal files in order. I made sure that office supplies were available when needed. I handled Mr. Palmieri’s personal and office bills as well as the client monthly billing. I also have knowledge in the maintenance of computers, printers, copiers and most office machines.
5/85-3/91
ERICKSEN, ARBUTHNOT, BROWN, KILDUFF & DAY
3435 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1830
Los Angeles, CA 90010 213-***-**** For Reference: David A. Gifford, Esq. 510-***-****
E-Mail: ********@************.***
As executive legal secretary for the Managing Partner of a large insurance defense firm based in San Francisco, I was directly responsible for the telephones, mail, calendaring, deposition preparation, client relations, accounts receivable, preparing litigation documents and ordering office supplies. I also prepared monthly master and individual status reports and check lists of all checks which came into the firm. In addition, I functioned as Office Manager during a transitional period in which the firm moved its offices and the managing partners left the firm. I left the firm when my position was absorbed by the new managing partner’s legal assistant.
VARIOUS LEGAL AND ENTERTAINMENT TEMPORARY POSITIONS
I began working with several reputable temporary agencies in Los Angeles which gave me the opportunity to experience the diverse challenges of the legal field and keep my computer and technological skills up to date. I have had experience with many different types of law firms including business litigation, insurance defense, corporate law, real estate, entertainment, family law, patent and trademark law, civil rights, maritime, personal injury and workers’ compensation. I have worked with the most prestigious law firms and attorneys in the world i.e. John Van de Kamp, George Deukmajian, Marvin Mitchelson, John Dean, and many more. I also have extensive experience in the entertainment industry which includes long stints at CBS TV and the Paramount Studio law departments, as well as assignments working with studio heads, i.e. presidents, writers, directors and business affairs executives at Fox TV, Carsey Werner Prod., EMI Records, Soul Records, Red Rooster Publicity and entertainment attorney Don Engel. I am well organized and focused which enables me to quickly learn what is required of me and where my abilities are needed.
1980 - 1984
LAW OFFICES OF NEVILLE L. JOHNSON For Reference call: Neville L. Johnson 310-***-****
439 N. Canon Drive, Suite 220
Beverly Hills, CA 90210 310-***-****
During my tenure at this entertainment law firm, I was the sole Office Manager/Administrator/Legal Secretary for a busy litigation and contract law desk for three attorneys. My duties included all typing, filing and serving of legal documents. I handled the office calendar and all telephone and facsimile communications. I was also in charge of client billing, attorney hours and various miscellaneous duties as well as scheduling business travel. Mr. Johnson’s clients include Yoko Ono, Smokey Robinson, Frank Zappa, Bobby Blotzer of Ratt fame, Patrick Moraz of the Moody Blues among many other artists. Since 1984 I have worked with Neville L. Johnson on many legal projects and have always remained friends and colleagues.
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