Qualifications

Wide range of legal and administrative experience in diverse practice areas including Labor and Employment, International, Commercial, Regulatory, Criminal, Insurance Defense, Eminent Domain, Immigration, and complex collective/class litigation with a focus on management of national legal practices specializing in Labor & Employment and International law

Legal Experience

Provide legal assistance to shareholders and associates through independent management of legal cases from initial demand through appeal; prepare fact analyses based on research obtained from client files including personal, medical, employment, and financial records; summarize complex legal documents; conduct public record searches, internet searches, and background investigations; examine and summarize corporate and client records for use at trial; draft legal pleadings, case strategy memos, discovery requests/responses, and legal briefs in both state and federal courts; draft separation agreements; manage reductions in force

Manage mid-sized immigration department including independent management of 300 immigration matters; analyze records for I-9 compliance and provide remediation advice; conduct legal research and provide guidance on current administrative orders for compliance; prepare, file, and track various global mobility applications; conduct legal research and advise on legal requirements for temporary and permanent entry pursuant to regulations of multiple foreign laws; assist and track global unionization efforts; analyze various legal issues for compliance with NAFTA, other trade treaty compliance, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, offshoring issues, global mergers and acquisitions; conduct due diligence; revise expatriate employment commercial agent agreements, contracts, severance agreements, and non-compete agreements

Contract review and negotiations; preparation of budgets and quarterly/annual reports; orientation and training of new and existing employees with regard to FDA compliance regulations, quality control, and investigation coordination to ensure clinical trial compliance; independent management of clinical trial coordinators and all clinical trials from trial inception through completion; development and administration of standard operating procedures; processing and maintenance of documents for regulatory compliance; creation and independent supervision of quality control division to ensure regulatory compliance; preparation for, attendance at, and participation in all investigatory meetings with pharmaceutical representatives to ensure clinical trial progression and regulatory compliance; independent management of subordinate employees

Electronic filing complaint with Federal, state and Appellate courts, record billable hours, both personal and attorney; creation of marketing materials and client presentations; maintain attorney calendars and court/administrative agency dockets; independent management of case statuses; accounts receivable collections; accounts payable approvals; providing assistance with trust account maintenance; expense reimbursement submissions; coordinate major projects and cases to include management and review of work of multiple legal assistants and associates; act as key client contact

International Experience

Held various positions as member of board of the Tampa Bay International Business Council; developed strong international communication skills with a focus on international trade, diverse entrepreneurship, and cultural inclusion; worked closely with bi-national chambers of commerce and trade association; also held various positions on the board of the British-American Business Council; responsible for membership, recruitment, and large-scale event planning for both organizations

Computer Skills

Proficient in all Microsoft applications including, but not limited to, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook; LexisNexis and WestLaw; internet research; eDiscovery platforms including Concordance and Relativity; Serengeti Legal Tracker; docketing; numerous document management systems; numerous expense and time billing systems; web development platforms including Word Press

Employment History

Wenzel Fenton Cabassa P.A. Tampa, Florida

Case Manager/Paralegal January 2018 – Present

Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak, & Stewart, P.C. Tampa, Florida

Practice Assistant/Paralegal/Immigration Coordinator October 2006 – January 2018

Joseph L. Rousselle, Jr., P.A. Tampa, Florida

Paralegal/Legal Secretary and Personal Assistant August 2003 – October 2006

Medical Centers of Tampa Bay Tampa, Florida

General Manager-Clinical Trials April 2000 – August 2003

Education & Certifications

Paralegal Certification - American Institute for Paralegals, Inc., 1991

Bachelor of Science - University of Phoenix (In progress)

Notary Public (Current)

Professional Memberships

Past Secretary, Treasurer, and Vice President of Events - Tampa Bay International Business Council (formerly International Business Summit)

Past Board Member - British-American Business Council of Tampa Bay

Past Treasurer - Scandinavian Trade Association

Past Member - Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce of Tampa Bay

Past Member - French-American Business Council of West Florida

Past Member - Indo-U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Past Member - Philippine-American Chamber of Commerce of Tampa Bay

Past Member - Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce of Tampa Bay

Past Member - Tampa Bay Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Past Member -Tampa Bay Organization of Women in International Trade

Past Member - World Trade Center Tampa Bay