Melissa J. Kelly

**** * **** ***** #***

Ralston, Nebraska 68127

402-***-****

add7a8@r.postjobfree.com

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

Over thirty years experience writing/rewriting, proofreading, and editing government documents, websites, magazine articles, newsletters, and press releases.

Three years experience working as a Paralegal in a law firm specializing in family law—daily duties included scheduling appointments and arranging meetings, drafting and filing pleadings, scheduling hearings and depositions, drafting correspondence, producing discovery requests and responses, word processing dictation, conducting legal research, and doing trial preparation. My accomplishments included hiring three employees for the firm, and independently opening, settling, and resolving cases.

Experience with website design, re-design and maintenance.

Experience designing and producing brochures, flyers, presentations, advertisements, press releases, software system requirements, user guides, and help files.

Proficiency with research and analysis.

Success with marketing, public relations, and advertising.

Transcription and dictation proficiency: Accurate keyboarding speed averaging 100 words per minute.

Advanced computer user familiar with PC and MAC platforms. Familiar with most software programs (Microsoft Office, Word Perfect, Front Page, Publisher, Paint Shop Pro, Quark XPress, PageMaker, InDesign) and hardware (scanners, digital cameras).

Previous business owner with human resource skills.

Experience interviewing clients, job applicants, and subjects of magazine articles.

Comfortable organizing multiple projects and managing tasks from start to finish.

Experience with department formation and policy and procedure writing.

I offer professionalism, intelligence and a strong work ethic; I am detail-oriented with strong

follow-through.

Knowledge of medical and legal terminology.

CAREER EXPERIENCE

Editor II — StrategicHealthSolutions, LLC, Omaha, NE

January 2011 to January 2019

Received “A+ Player” recognition and bonuses several of my eight years at StrategicHealthSolutions.

Received the company’s Recognizing Excellence Award for Productivity.

Assisted with projects for nearly every contract held by the company; edited every type of corporate document; was considered the “go-to Editor” by most coworkers at StrategicHealthSolutions.

Edited proposals, newsletters, websites, marketing materials, corporate policies, and training and educational materials for print, electronic, and website distribution.

Edited brochures, pamphlets, tip sheets, and presentations on Medicaid fraud, waste, and abuse.

Edited computer-based interactive teaching programs and training modules.

Edited Medicare and Medicaid educational and training materials; met or exceeded all deadlines.

Served as a subject matter expert in grammar, punctuation, spelling, style, formatting, voice,

and clarity.

Developed a corporate Writing and Editing Guide and an SMRC Style Guide (contract) to be used by employees and editors to ensure products followed customer guidance and requirements.

Collaborated with subject matter experts to improve documents.

Ensured all work followed editorial policies and standards.

Participated in and contributed to the quality management system.

Editorial Assistant — Hayneedle, Omaha, NE

October 2009 to January 2010 (Temporary Position)

Acted as project coordinator for five in-house editors.

Gathered data from merchandise buyers, product vendors and manufacturers.

Prepared tasks to be assigned to freelance writers.

Edited and proofread website copy received from freelance writers to ensure accuracy and compliance with style and brand guides.

Wrote website copy for over two-hundred websites owned by Hayneedle.

Coordinated with IT and marketing to upload copy to over two-hundred websites owned by Hayneedle.

Proofed uploaded website copy to ensure accuracy.

Copywriter — Oriental Trading Company, Omaha, NE

June 2006 to December 2008

Wrote, edited and proofread creative copy for e-mail campaigns, sales flyers and print and online catalogs.

Lead copywriter for Sensational Craft, Terry’s Village, Fun Express and seasonal print catalogs and web initiatives.

Wrote creative copy for website landing pages.

Proofed copy after uploaded to ensure accuracy.

Obtained product information by consulting with merchandising staff and manufacturers as needed.

Paralegal — Cohen Vacanti Higgins Shattuck, Omaha, NE

May 2003 to July 2005

Primary support to one family law firm partner; back-up support to two additional partners as needed.

Primary contact for all cases (for clients, opposing counsel, and Court officials).

Maintained Matt Higgins’ daily calendar; scheduled appointments and arranged meetings.

Opened and processed daily mail; composed letters to clients, opposing counsel, mediators and District Courts.

Drafted and filed various pleadings (Divorce and Paternity Petitions, Applications for Modification, Praecipes, Qualified Domestic Relation Orders, Financial Affidavits, Motions, etc.).

Scheduled hearings on Motions with District Courts in Douglas County, Sarpy County, Cass County, Dodge County, Washington County, and Nemaha County.

Coordinated depositions.

Accomplished trial preparation.

Processed discovery requests and responses (Production of Documents, Interrogatories, and Requests for Admissions).

Had daily contact with clients by telephone, by e-mail, and by mail; met with clients as needed.

Managed case files; filed paperwork as needed.

Word processed occasional dictation.

Billed for all time worked; did some collections work; performed miscellaneous administrative duties.

Small Business Owner — Kelly Publishing, Omaha, NE

1993 to May 2003

Owner of a desktop publishing business.

Worked as a published freelance writer for magazines such as eBay Magazine, web Guide and Cat Fancy.

Involved researching, organizing, writing, editing, and submitting articles and artwork.

Involved designing and editing websites, restaurant menus, and advertising campaigns.

Developed mass marketing plans: wrote and designed sales letters, brochures, print ads, direct mail pieces, catalogs, press releases, software system requirements, user guides, and help files.

Sold 30 software titles by mail order catalog (retail and wholesale); mailed catalogs, maintained database, and updated website.

EDUCATION

Associate of Arts Degree, Iowa Western Community College, Council Bluffs, Iowa

Majors: English/Journalism/Mass Communications (Degree, 1986).

Recognition: Dean’s Honor Roll.

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