Carmen D Mercado
Charlotte, NC 28110
Mobile: 786-***-****
Email: ************@*****.***
Work Experience:
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Homestead, FL 33033 United States
09/2012 – 4/2022
Expert Paralegal Specialist
Duties, Accomplishments and Related Skills:
Responsible for developing and evaluating all evidence, facts, and circumstances related to cases. Receiving, examining, and evaluating petitions seeking relief from seizure,
penalty and/or or liquidated damages cases. Conduct substantive research and analysis on a myriad of legal matters, analyzing the facts and legal issues involved, and preparing
draft decisions and rulings on cases. Provide technical direction on complex issues and resolve differences of opinion among employees and the trade community. Assure that all due process considerations are met; the elements necessary to establish a violation are
present and are supported by appropriate documentation. Review and evaluate
investigative reports and case records. I have comprehensive knowledge of CBP's laws, regulations, policies, and operations. Knowledge of legal references sources in agency manuals such as the U.S. Code and Code of Federal Regulations, reference systems, directives, issuances, precedent decision, court decision, and commercial legal
publication sufficient to perform extensive and thorough legal research. Possess excellent interpersonal and administrative skills sufficient to organize and coordinate training. Able to act as a mentor to less experienced employees. I possess excellent writing skills to
provide clear and concise statement of facts to arrive at sound judgments and decisions. I have excellent oral communication skills. I have the ability to analyze and interpret laws, regulations, CBP policies and procedures and to research precedent setting decisions and the relevant regulations of other Federal agencies. •Ability to research, interpret and
apply appropriate statutes, regulations, and precedent decisions to make adjudicative
decisions. Key member of a team of homeland security professionals providing key legal support for the law enforcement duties at the port level.
OCALJ MIAMI FL HRG OFC
333 South Miami Ave
MIAMI, FL 33126 United States
09/2007 - 09/2012
SR CASE TECHNICIAN
Duties, Accomplishments and Related Skills:
Provided legal and technical support to Administrative Law Judges, Attorneys, paralegals
analysts, and other technical personnel in order to process appeal cases filed under Titles II, XVI, and XVIII of the Social Security Act; analyzed pertinent issues and interpreted provisions of the laws, regulations, rulings, precedents, policies and guidelines relevant to the hearing cases.
Typical duties included: Examined assigned hearing cases which contained a wide variety of medical and legal documentation to ensure sufficiency of evidence and analyzed their applicability to the case. Prepared case summaries by outlining information from all documents which reflected the medical history of the claimant, treatment, and any conflicting medical
evidence. Identified and justified the need for special development; responded to telephone calls from the public; performed technical research for legal staff from very general to very specific; summarized pertinent and factual data from the case files and recommended dismissals of cases not meeting legal and regulatory requirements.
Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office
1350 NW 12th Ave
Miami, FL 33136 United States
07/1995 - 09/2007
Paralegal Specialist
Duties, Accomplishments and Related Skills:
1995-2007 Paralegal Specialist in Felony Division: The responsibilities included conducting interviews of all parties involved with the case - reviewed all supporting evidence, and
researched caselaw, as needed, case laws that may play in a role in determining which charges to file • determine the appropriate charges to file and/or dismiss. • Interpreted and applied
appropriate policy, regulations, statutes, and precedent decisions to make case filing decisions
•Produced written assessments supporting my decisions to file charges and/or dismiss charges. Typed warrants, no action memos. Assisted in training new paralegals.
Education:
Watterson Business College Pasadena, CA United States
Major: Paralegal Certificate
South Gate High School South Gate, CA High School Diploma 6 /1985