Legal Operations, Litigation Paralegal, Chief of Staff

MIREILLE FERDINAND-HERCULE

San Antonio, Texas

Mobile: 305-***-****

Email: ******************@*******.***

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mireille-ferdinand EDUCATION:

St. Thomas University; Miami, Florida

Master’s Degree in Science

August 2003 - May 2006

Florida Memorial University; Miami, Florida

Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, Cum Laude

August 1996 - May 2000

Jones College; Miami, Florida

Associate’s Degree in Paralegal Studies

August 1994 - May 1996

SKILLS/ABILITIES:

Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Trello, Slack, Google Docs, ClickUp, Monday, Clio, MyCase, Legal Files, Adobe Publisher, Reader and Pro, SharePoint, LexisNexis, Westlaw, Case Map, Concur, E2 Travel, CM/ECF, Pacer, E-Filing System, DocuSign, WebEx, Microsoft Teams & Zoom Videoconferencing, Board Vantage, Diligent, Nasdaq/Directors Desk.

• Impeccable professional ethics, integrity, and judgment

• Minimum of 12 years of management level experience

• 3+ years working in an in-house legal department

• Demonstrated experience managing legal programs, projects, and processes

• Proven ability to independently move projects forward

• Excellent organizational, verbal and written communication skills

• Exceptional interpersonal and conflict resolution skills

• Manage multiple tasks simultaneously with great attention to detail WORK EXPERIENCE:

EMS LINQ, Inc., Wilmington, North Carolina

Chief of Staff - (Remote Position)

March 2022 to September 2022

Duties:

• Acted as a strategic advisor to the CEO; managed daily operations towards action and executed top initiatives of the CEO; achieved and triaged day-to-day requests to ensure alignment with priorities of the organization and key decision-making; provided analysis and recommendations to the CEO regarding high-impacting decisions.

• Assisted the CEO and the Executive Team prepare for Board meetings; worked closely with the legal team on transactional matters such as contracts and acquisitions; provided assistance with personal- related matters to the CEO; managed the CEO’s travel agenda; performed all administrative personal tasks related to the CEO.

MIREILLE FERDINAND-HERCULE

2

• Edited and completed first drafts for written communication to external stakeholders; coordinated special projects and provided management support as requested by the CEO; oversaw administrative responsibilities including calendar and inbox management; responded to inquiries on behalf of the CEO; attended meetings (internal and external) on behalf of the CEO, presented to teams/vendors; documented and communicated action items from meetings; ensured follow-up and closure of all respective action items.

• Maintained systems to simplify operations consistent with the company’s mission and vision; planned and directed company-wide all-hands weekly meetings; provided department leaders with recommendations and consultation to improve teamwork and workflow across the organization; coached and inspired others to elevate performance.

• Oversaw employee engagement in concert with Sr. VP of Human Resources; assisted with hiring new personnel; build strong relationships with employees and supervised their progress; kept CEO abreast of company climate (employee wellbeing, project statuses, new proposals, etc.); worked alongside the team of EAs, served as a focal point for the group.

• Coordinated, and managed all offsite meetings and travel-related activities including hotel booking, transportation, and events for the CEO and the Executive Team; managed and processed monthly expense reports for the CEO and the Executive Team; maintained professionalism and strict confidentiality with all materials, and exercised discretion when interfacing with the business; recommended new restaurants, and other entertainment options. United Services Automobile Association (USAA); San Antonio, Texas Executive Operational Planning Manager - (Temp Work Assignment) October 2021 to February 2022

Duties:

• Managed and planned the daily operations of the Board and sub-committees; oversaw the development of materials for all scheduled meetings worked in concert with the Board chair and key stakeholders for monthly and quarterly meetings; managed the online meeting portal; developed, implemented, and advised on administrative requirements; synchronized time-sensitive Board materials and handled confidential data.

Methodist Healthcare System, San Antonio, Texas

Senior Paralegal/Board Admin. Manager

February 2019 to May 2021

Duties:

• Partnered with General Counsel on all legal and administrative matters; drove execution of Legal Department priorities; enhanced the efficiency, operations, and performance of the Legal Department; served as registered agent receiving all petitions/lawsuits filed against MHS; worked closely with outside counsel in drafting pleadings, discovery requests, and discovery responses; coordinated third- party subpoenas; conducted legal research as needed. responded to and prepared case files for hearings, depositions mediation, and trial.

• Managed case files electronically (scanning) and maintained hard files; streamlined and optimized workflows within the legal department; prepared corporate filings, and processed legal invoices and ensured timely payments adhering to e-billing guidelines; tracked and submitted monthly expense reports. Created, updated, and maintained contract templates and clause libraries in the legal department contract management system.

MIREILLE FERDINAND-HERCULE

3

• Supported General Counsel and C-level leaders with all transactional and corporate governance matters; managed the Board and committee meeting schedules, prepared agenda and Board packets; maintained official minutes, and managed online Board meeting portal.

• Prepared initial agreements and contracts for various departments (e.g., NDA, affidavits, RCAs); proofread legal documents, for clarity and grammar; managed efficiency across the legal department and directed internal initiatives successfully.

United States Attorney’s Office/Department of Justice San Antonio Civil Division, San Antonio Texas Office Legal Operations Manager/Litigation Paralegal

July 2014 to February 2019

Duties:

• Partnered with the Civil and implemented strategic and operational initiatives in a timely and efficient manner; project-managed legal team initiatives and functioned as liaison between the legal team and other departments on cross-functional initiatives; drove execution of legal division priorities; managed cross-functional projects across the division, worked with team members at every level; cultivated key relationships working with Federal and State Court representatives.

• Drafted pleadings, discovery requests, discovery responses, and motion practice; performed legal research when necessary; organized case files electronically (scanning) and maintained hard files; prepared files for trial, hearings, depositions & mediations; managed expert/vendor contracts throughout the lifecycle of contract; managed/drafted and fulfilled subpoena requests; E-filing pleadings on CM/ECF, Pacer in Federal and State Courts.

• Prepared education/training/research materials and document production (including exhibits, presentations, and documents to support audit); prioritized work while keeping appropriate attorney(s) apprised of project status; led and coordinated other special projects, legal support tasks, and administrative duties.

• Managed external legal vendors, including development of cost and performance related KPIs and cost-efficient billing processes; created and maintained a technology roadmap to drive the efficiency and effectiveness of the division; enhanced the efficiency, operations, and performance of the legal Division; partnered with Finance and Accounting regarding Legal Department budgeting and, forecasting.

• Managed, mentored, and developed a team of support staff; implemented monthly training, educated staff of division’s policies and best practices; led weekly staff meetings to foster open communication and ensured ongoing success; produced yearly staff performance evaluations; recommended promotions, and awards; collaborated with cross-functional teams on initiatives concerning the legal division; worked closely with the budget, assessed and analyzed division’s financial plan; identified ways to minimize costs.

MIREILLE FERDINAND-HERCULE

4

Miami Civil Litigation Division, Miami Florida Office Supervisory Litigation Paralegal - Civil Division

August 2007 to July 2014

Duties:

• Developed strategies to improve employee productivity or satisfaction, including implementing employee training programs, incentives to, motivate personnel, and improved workplace culture; worked closely with Civil Division Chief and Deputies to support strategy development and execution of the Civil Division’s Mission; prioritized work while keeping appropriate attorney(s) apprised of project status; led and coordinated other special projects, legal support tasks, and administrative duties.

• Supported attorney(s) in all phases of litigation including motion practice, discovery, trial, and post- trial; drafted documents/pleadings such as subpoenas, deposition notices, interrogatory requests and responses, requests for admissions, affidavits/affirmations, answers, notices, declarations, and large- scale medical records, coordinated e-filing, and service of process.

• Managed expert witness contracts; created and presented reports, updates, and deliverables designed to capture data and ensured efficiency; performed legal research and supported the functions of the litigation team; managed contracts from inception to completion; created and managed training materials for employees.

• Managed external legal vendors, including development of cost and performance related KPIs and cost- efficient billing processes; created and maintained a technology roadmap to drive the efficiency and effectiveness of the division; enhanced the efficiency, operations, and performance of the legal Division; partnered with Finance and Accounting regarding legal division budgeting and, forecasting.

• Provided support to the executive leadership team on legal-related matters, HR compliance, and operations; managed cross-functional projects across the division; streamlined work alignment with planned strategy and meeting deadlines; cultivated key relationships working with Federal and State Court Representatives; developed and executed the division’s short-and long-term strategic plans, and interpreted division’s goals and priorities.

Rice Pugatch Robinson & Schiller P.A., Ft. Lauderdale, Florida Bankruptcy Paralegal/Executive Assistant to Sr. Partner February 2001 to July 2007

Duties:

• Provided and streamlined all administrative and legal support to the senior partner; prepared and filed bankruptcy petitions, and first-day pleadings; corresponded with debtors, creditors, and trustees regarding various case matters; prepared quarterly fee applications; maintained case calendars on PACER; prepared and filed numerous proof of claims on CM/ECF; prepared hearing notebooks, and depositions binders; conducted extensive legal research and analysis; attended hearings and trials with respective attorneys.

REFERENCES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

Contact this candidate