Sponsor Legal Assistant

DEBORA POKALLUS

PHILADELPHIA, PA *****

EMAIL CONTACT: *********@*****.***

To find a position that will continue and grow my ability to complete projects and solve problems independently, contribute to a collegial team environment, whether in a paralegal, business or administrative capacity

EDUCATION: Douglass College, Rutgers University

BA, French/International Business

Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa

SOFTWARE: Windows, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook, Publisher), Groupwise, Adobe Photoshop, Macromedia Fireworks

CONTINUING

EDUCATION: Completion of Small Business Certificate Program at the Wharton Small Business Development Center, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania Seminars included: Analysis of corporate financial statements, web-based marketing, public relations and media coverage, strategies for small business growth, executive management training and corporate vision development EXPERIENCE:

August 2011 – Present Business consulting, including, but not limited to business formation, branding of products and services to ensure intellectual property rights, trademark selection, development and prosecution; product and service market positioning Event planning, including, seminars, education presentations, marketing events, promotional events; create and implement marketing, press and social media campaigns, publicity and PR campaigns, including, but not limited to, digital, video and print presentations, press releases; sponsor proposals, business partnership proposals, post event digital and print presentations to press, business partners and sponsors;

Web design; launch and development of charitable projects to create and build sustainable businesses in disadvantaged regions; speaker at seminars, panel discussions and education programs

April 2008 – ECKERT SEAMANS CHERIN & MELLOT, LLC

August 2011 IP Docket Clerk – supported three partners and two associates – resolved docketing issues related to conversion to new docketing system (Pattsy), maintained trademark docket for the portfolios of over 100 clients, prepared daily deadline and client reports to monitor upcoming due dates and provide current status of clients’ portfolios, prepared and filed trademark prosecution, assignment and renewal documents, including, but not limited to: new applications, office action responses, statement of use/extension requests, mostly on an urgent basis, client contact to provide status information regarding client’s portfolio, resolved billing issues, prepared reports to respond to client’s specific needs and reported filings, office actions and Trademark office communications to clients, Supported litigation, business and real estate departments with administrative and secretarial assistance, court filings, contracts, correspondence Assisted departments with additional work, including, estates, real estate, litigation (all areas of law).

September 2007-

February 2008 DECHERT LLP

Trademark Paralegal (temporary position) - Performed trademark searches on proposed marks, prepared and filed trademark prosecution, assignment and renewal documents, maintained docket (CPI). Drafted and prepared correspondence and documents regarding trademarks, copyrights for U.S. and global clients and foreign associate counsel. Prepared and improved trademark drawings and specimen photographs to conform with filing requirements of the Trademark Office (in Adobe Photoshop) Contacted clients and foreign associates (in English, French and German) regarding prosecution and maintenance issues, required documents and provided status reports. 2004-2007 DUANE MORRIS LLP

Trademark Legal Assistant: provided paralegal and administrative assistance for the prosecution and maintenance of over 8,000 trademark files. Performed trademark searches on proposed marks, prepared and filed trademark prosecution, assignment and renewal documents, maintained docket for trademark portfolio to ensure deadlines met; drafted and prepared correspondence and documents regarding trademarks, copyrights and licensing for U.S. and global clients and foreign associate counsel. Prepared and improved trademark drawings and specimen photographs to conform with filing requirements of the Trademark Office (in Adobe Photoshop) and instructed staff in the use of Adobe Photoshop Elements. Translated documents from French to English provided by French clients. Contacted clients and foreign associates (in English, French and German) regarding prosecution and maintenance issues, required documents and provided status reports. Prepared presentations

(Powerpoint) for client and CLE seminars

2002-2004 AKIN, GUMP, STRAUSS, HAUER & FELD

Trademark Department: drafted and prepared trademark applications, prosecution and maintenance documents, maintained attorney docket for trademark prosecution to ensure deadlines met; drafted and prepared correspondence and documents regarding trademarks, copyrights and licensing for U.S. and global clients and associate counsel, prepared presentations for client meetings; performed investigative research on products and companies infringing on the trademarks of clients and foreign associate counsel’s clients; worked on music licensing transactions for major corporate client, aided in research of music, verifying licensing terms for multiple publishers of a work, monitored negotiating process.

2000-2002 FOX, ROTHSCHILD, O’BRIEN & FRANKEL

Provided project-based legal and administrative support for large boutique law firm handling transactional and litigation matters in corporate, real estate, personal injury/product liability, insurance defense, estate, domestic relations, labor. Drafted and prepared correspondence, drafted and prepared litigation and pretrial documents, trial and exhibit preparation, records reviews, discovery. Prepared transaction documents for real estate and corporate matters. LANGUAGES French