Resume

Paralegal Assistant Legal Secretary

Location:

Clearwater, FL

Posted:

January 10, 2023

Contact this candidate

Resume:

DORIS B. HOWDESHELL

**** **** ****** *

Pinellas Park, FL 33782

727-***-****

SSAN: ***-**-****

US Citizen; No Veteran’s preference; GS-6 level

EDUCATION:

St. Petersburg College, Clearwater, FL

• Associates in Arts Degree, Paralegal Assistant

EXPERIENCE:

Leslie M. Conklin, Esquire, Clearwater, FL

Paralegal

2005 – present

• Performed various duties for a sole practitioner in the areas of commercial litigation, small claims and county court matters, real estate transactions, contract law and bankruptcy. Illustrative duties include: all general secretarial duties; conducting initial client interviews; drafting engagement letters, pleadings, discovery and orders; preparation of appellate briefs; preparation of trial notebooks; auditing, posting and billing of client files; maintaining calendars; scheduling hearings, depositions, etc.; and preparation of all tax returns. Pinellas County Attorney’s Office, Clearwater, FL

Legal Secretary

9/2001 – 12/2004

• Performed various duties in a team setting requiring the application of independent judgment and knowledge of law, regulations, policies and procedures directly for three (3) attorneys and assisting teammates with an additional six (6) attorneys. Illustrative duties included: drafting correspondence, memorandum, contracts, ordinances, resolutions and pleadings; preparation of pleadings related to mortgage foreclosures and bankruptcy; preparation of orders relating to bail bonds; preparation of Local Ordinance Violation calendar; maintenance of files; maintaining attorney’s calendars; performing conflict searches and scheduling of hearings, depositions and meetings; covering of the front desk for receptionist. Johnson, Pope, Bokor, Ruppel & Burns, P.A., Clearwater, FL Legal Secretary

7/2000 – 9/2001

• Performed various duties in a team setting in the litigation area requiring the application of independent judgment and knowledge of law, regulations, policies and procedures. Directly responsible for two (2) attorneys and assisted teammate with two (2) additional attorneys. Illustrative duties included: maintaining calendars, files and client billing; drafting discovery, orders, engagement letters and memorandums; scheduling hearings, depositions, trials, mediations and meetings; performing client conflict searches.

Carlson & Meissner, Clearwater, FL

Legal Secretary

2/2000 - 7/2000

• Performed various duties in a team setting in the area of workers’ compensation. Illustrative duties included: all general secretarial duties; conducting client interviews; preparation of correspondence, pleadings, petitions and settlement offers; communicating with clients and insurance companies, adjusters and medical professionals; preparation of trial notebooks; auditing, posting and billing of client files; maintaining calendars; scheduling hearings, depositions, and mediations.

Steven G. Nilsson, Esquire, Clearwater, FL

Legal Secretary

8/1987 - 2/2000

• Performed various duties for a sole practitioner in the areas of probate and commercial litigation. Illustrative duties include: all general secretarial duties; performing initial client interviews; drafting engagement letters, pleadings, discovery and orders; preparation of appellate briefs; preparation of trial notebooks; auditing, posting and billing of client files; maintaining accounts receivable and accounts payable, balancing general and trust accounts (insured trust account compliance) maintaining calendars; scheduling hearings, depositions, etc.; and preparation of all tax returns. William Dickey, Esquire, Largo, FL

Legal Secretary

7/1985 – 8/1987

• Performed various duties for a sole practitioner in the areas of commercial litigation, small claims and county court matters, real estate transactions, contract law, adoptions and bankruptcy. Illustrative duties include: all general secretarial duties; conducting initial client interviews; drafting engagement letters, pleadings, discovery and orders; preparation of documents relating to adoptions, wills, trusts and guardianships; meeting with clients, preparation of probate accountings; 2

preparation of appellate briefs; preparation of trial notebooks; auditing, posting and billing of client files; maintaining calendars; scheduling hearings, depositions, etc.; and preparation of all tax returns.

SKILLS AND PROFICIENCIES:

Internet, Pacer

Clerk’s system for official records; Dejawint; Case Load Management MS Office, Word, WordPerfect, Excel, Quicken

REFERENCES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

Re: Selective Placement Factor and Quality Ranking Factors I have worked for two (2) attorneys who represented judgment creditors in bankruptcy matters. I prepared proofs of claim and related litigation documents. I have extensive experience regarding word processing systems as shown on my resume. I also automated an outdated system of file control for the County Attorney’s Office. I am very proficient and detailed oriented in maintaining and creating filing systems. Being a paralegal I understand the importance of communication, whether verbal or written, with clients, attorneys and the public and I strive to help, resolve or inform whomever I may be communicating with. Also, on a daily basis I apply and use the rules, regulations and procedures in the ongoing litigation matters in our office. 4

REFERENCES

Steven G. Nilsson, Esquire

4669 Juniper Drive

Palm Harbor, FL 34685

727-***-**** – home

and

2536 Countryside Blvd., St. 100E

Clearwater, FL 33763

727-***-**** – office

Robert Potter, Esquire

Johnson, Pope, et al

911 Chestnut Street