MELISSA SULLIVAN REYNOLDS

**** **. ******** ****

Jefferson City, Tennessee 37760

865-***-****

OBJECTIVE

To secure a position in the legal field in to continue to utilize my expertise

as a senior paralegal. To continue to serve the community by presenting a firm by

exhibiting professionalism, kindness and integrity.

EMPLOYMENT EXPERIENCE

Remington College November, 2020 to Present

Paralegal to General Council

Assist with case planning development and management, legal research, interview clients, the facts and retrieves information, drafts and analyzes legal documents and collects information, complies and utilizes technical information to make recommends to attorney.

Davis & Davis Attorney at Law/Paralegal January, 2000 to May, 2011

*Responsible for all paralegal duties for leading firm attorney, Dianne James Davis, Esq, *Responsible for the preparation of all pleadings, interrogatories, court documentation and litigation documentation in the family law field.

*Worked daily as a client liaison for firm attorneys, handled attorney calendar, client time logs, setting appointments, depositions, and client accounts.

* Organized court calendar and schedule.

*Represented attorney, Dianne Davis, in court for case continuances and minor litigations cases.

*Work close with other attorney in the family law area to resolve and close out cases files.

Legal Experience:

Stringer, Stringer Law Firm/Paralegal June 1999- January, 2000

*Responsible for all paralegal duties for leading firm attorney, Jake Montgomery. *Responsible for the preparation of all pleadings, interrogatories, court documentation and litigation documentation with in the corporate law field.

*Worked daily as a client liaison for firm attorneys,

*Handled attorney calendar, client time logs, setting appointments, depositions, and client accounts

* Provided a variety of direct legal support assistance services to assigned legal team staff.

Typical assignments performed by job:

*Examines, prepares and processes a variety of technical legal documents which a are characteristically voluminous and complex in format;

Reviews legal documents for completeness and proper execution;

Reviews incoming materials and independently determines the need for assembly and preparation of a variety of legal documents including:

oComplaints

oAnswers

oObjections

oMotions

oOrders

oPleadings

oSubpoenas

Obtained needed information from files, federal agencies or similar, and submits completed legal documents to the appropriate attorney, party or submits directly to court where applicable;

With limited instruction, prepared legal actions such as incitements, criminal complaints, search warrants, judgments, applications, notices, affidavits, summonses, grand jury subpoenas, rules to show cause, proofs of claim, satisfaction of judgement, objections, orders, motions and notices;

Completed variable aspects of recurring legal documents in conformance with the rules governing their style and format;

Provided assistance to attorneys in trial preparation by performing duties such as independently compiling trial notebooks, assembling jury instructions, and compiling witness and exhibit lists;

Coordinated with victim witness specialists to ensure adherence to current departmental guidelines relating to victims’ rights and service responsibilities;

Notified appropriate parties of witness issues;

Used original and online legal resources, verifies citations and statutory references contained in legal documents;

Ensured citations are complete and consistent with source material;

Composed original letters that do not require legal interpretations, but does require a good working knowledge of legal procedures and specialized terminology, e.g., transmittal of pleadings, requests for extensions of time in certain cases, advising of actions taken or developments in cases referred by other federal departments and agencies, and notices to attorneys representing defendants or opposing parties.

Provided other clerical and administrative services as needed;

Furnished requested information concerning pending and closed matters/cases, functions and general procedures of the office;

Determined which matters should be referred to the AUSA and the urgency of the matter;

Establishes and maintains a variety of files;

Searches legal reference files for information needed by AUSAs in conducting interviews and preparing correspondence;

Assembled exhibits, affidavits, and other legal documents from file material;

Separated, screens, selects, assembles, and organizes files and records material for disposition or transfer to records depository in accordance with established procedures;

Performed docketing duties such as opening, updating and closing cases using and automated case tracking system;

Searched case management database as necessary;

Maintained calendar of assigned active cases;

Tracked filing, hearing, trial dates, schedules conferences and interviews;

Developed and maintains suspense system for ongoing cases and informs the AUSA of pending dates and deadlines;

Maintained calendar(s) of AUSA(s), scheduling appointments, interviews and conferences, and provides reminders of commitments and court appearances.

Arranged travel by preparing itinerary, and securing transportation and hotel reservations;

Prepared travel authorizations and vouchers.

Produced a variety of written documents and materials utilizing a wide range of office applications;

Tasks may include integrating output from different software types, including tables or charts produced by databases/spreadsheet applications, into a word processing or desktop publishing text;

Products include complicated tables, graphs and charts which may be incorporated into legal documents or courtroom presentations;

Ensures proper format, spelling, punctuation, capitalization and grammar.

Provided automated litigation assistance to attorneys in trial preparation, hearings and courtroom presentations.

Utilized various software applications and graphics hardware such as scanners and plotters;

Prepared documents, charts, and visual materials for use in trials;

Provided technical support for example, enlarging charts and photographs, duplicating tapes and videos, and marking exhibits.

Non-Profit Experience:

Boys & Girls Club Lake Martin Area May, 2011 to Dec,2019

*Provides supervision and training for 7 full-time staff, 6 part-time staff and community and corporate volunteers

*Manage current budget of $300,000 while monitoring and controlling expenditures and reporting any variances.

*Build relationship with Board of Directors to maintain and promote the BGCLMA image

*Worked with BGCA & BGCLMA to improve the character and leadership roles for the organization.

*Liaison between local community college, universities, neighborhood schools, juvenile court, United Way and Department of Family and Children Services to provide assistance, resources and/or memberships to families in need.

*Plan and implement techniques to ensure Club’s building, equipment and grounds are continuously maintained.

*Provide oversight and managed administrative and grant reporting.

*Assesses club daily to ensure they are safe, attractive and well-maintained.

Essential duties and responsibilities include:

Leadership

• Ensured the effective operation and delivery of programs within the Clubs and community:

o Supported the organization's mission and principles.

o Maintained an environment that facilitates the achievement of youth development outcomes.

o Drove and ensure delivery of programs, services and activities that support youth development outcomes.

o Established and monitor adherence to policies and procedures.

Strategic Planning

• Leaded strategic planning processes that result in the development and implementation of high quality strategic plans on an ongoing basis.

• Identified and evaluate opportunities for improvement and implement plans accordingly.

Board Development

• Identified, recruit and develop effective board members.

• Ensured active participation by Board members and support effective roles and functioning. Ensured Board committees are provided with the information and support necessary to fulfill their objectives.

Resource Development

• Ensured the annual budget is funded and organization has adequate cash flow.

• Developed strategic plans to generate revenues through a variety of fund raising techniques. Identified cultivate and solicit donors. Oversawplanning and implementation of special events.

• Provide guidance and oversight to staff and volunteers performing resource development functions.

Resource Management

• Developed, implemented and monitored the Club's annual budget.

• Implemented administrative and operational systems to support effective operations.

• Ensured productive and effective staff performance, providing guidance, feedback and opportunities for professional development.

• Evaluated performance of direct reports for compliance with established policies and objectives of the Club and contributions in attaining objectives.

Technology

• Developed and implement plans for updating existing technology and resources:

o Ensured the acquisition and allocation of funds for implementing and updating existing technology and resources.

o Ensured the maintenance of Club technology and information management systems.

Partnership Development

• Developed strategic alliances with community leaders and local officials. Develop collaborative partnerships with other youth serving organizations, members, parents, families, funders and community organizations.

Marketing and Public Relations

• Ensured visibility of Club programs, services and activities and maintain good public relations.

Skills: Academic Advisor, Administrative, Budget, Coach, Delivery, Fiscal Management, Fundraising Human Resources Management, Image, Instruction, Leadership, Lesson Plans, Mentor, Organizational Policy Development, Staff Supervision

State of Alabama Alliance, President 2 years term 2003-2005

Boys & Girls Club

* Assisted and worked with the Alliance board members and Area Council board members to:

a. Determine how to assist Alabama clubs to could continue to move forward with current economy and create value to support the monetary investment through state and federal government agencies.

b. Statewide Marketing/Branding

c. Increasing attendance at each Area Council and Alliance Meeting

d. Determine how we can better utilize the AC liaison

e. Evaluate club board’s needs and training needs

oSegmented by need; position within our organizations

oPeer to peer (Board to Board) education. Assisted in determining how the Area Council and Alliance could be a year-round asset to Alabama clubs. (i.e., cluster trainings, webinars)

Human Resources Experience:

American Color Graphics, Inc. September, 1987 to May, 1999

Human Resources Manager/Safety Coordinator

Payroll Coordinator

Administrative Assistant to Plant Manager

*Reported to the Vice President of Manufacturing, Assisted the Operations Manger and

Corporate Sales Representative in handling the daily employee operation of the printing operation. Handled all OSHA and safety aspects//reporting for entire printing operation.

Advise employees and manages on strong relationships with floor and management level employees.

Oversee all aspects of a multi-functional HR Department including Compensation, Employment, Benefits, Training, Safety and Health, Employee Relations, and Recruiting.

Ensure compliance with all applicable Federal and State Laws including EEO, FMLA, HIPAA, and ADA.

Conduct plant wide training on topics including sexual harassment, diversity, and employment law.

Meet the staffing needs of the organization. This includes the selection, testing, and hiring of employees as well as conducting new employee orientation.

Develop and improve the knowledge and skills of the organization. This includes analyzing training needs, determining how to deliver the training needs, as well as coaching and mentoring.

Handle complaints, settles disputes, resolves conflicts, and conducts internal investigations.

Maintain records and confidential employee files, and providing statistical and regulatory reporting.

Research and introduce policy changes for General Manager and Leadership Team approval. Consults and advises Leadership Team on topics of interest that could have a major impact on employee morale

Processed payroll for over 250 employees.

Directed personnel, training and labor activities.

Advised managers on organizational policy matters toward organizational objectives.

Identified staff vacancies and labor relations activities.

Conducted orientations to foster attitude toward organizational objectives.

Established new application protocols that increased interview applicant quality.

EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS AND TRAINING:

Sylacauga High School 1978 Advanced Diploma, Graduated

Central Alabama Community College 1980 Earned Associate in Business Administration

University of Alabama Birmingham 1998 Earned Degree of Paralegal Studies

Auburn University 2012 Earned Non-Profit Management Certification

2014 Earned Human Resources Certification

COMPUTER KNOWLEDGE:

Proficient in Microsoft Word, Microsoft Publisher, Microsoft Excel, Oracle Payroll System, etc.

INTEREST: Civic Involvement – BGCLMA Character & Leadership Assistant (2011-2012), Facilitator of Making Proud Choices, 2013 & 2015 Professional of the Year Award. Alexander City Chamber Commerce Ambassadors Member, Past Board Member, Dadeville Chamber of Commerce Board Member, PATH Board Member, D.A.R. E. Board Member, Board of Directors, Miss Alabama Pageant, President, Salvation Army, Esquire, Elks Lodge 1878,

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