Sheri J. Fontana

**** * **** ** *** **** Tacoma WA 98465 adzg09@r.postjobfree.com

Education

J.D. 1989 - UNIVERSITY OF PUGET SOUND (NKA SEATTLE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW) ADMITTED TO THE WSBA 1990 - #20674

Experience

JUDICIAL ASSISTANT TO JUDGE DIANA L. KIESEL, DEPT 7 1/2021 - 6/2023

LEGAL ASSISTANT 2 02/2020 - 12/2020

PIERCE COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT CLERK’S OFFICE

Legal Assistant at the Pierce County Clerk’s Office performing clerical duties as needed to serve the public and professionals.

LEGAL ASSISTANT 2 2002 - 02/2020

PIERCE COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT CLERK'S OFFICE – WESTERN STATE HOSPITAL

The Court Clerk assigned to the Civil Commitment Division (ITA Court) performs the statutorily required functions of the Superior Court Clerk and Judicial Assistant/Bailiff, as well as administrative assistant to the Superior Court Commissioners who rotate to that department. The Court Clerk is the Court Officer responsible for communicating with attorneys, litigants, government agencies, families/friends of Respondents, and members of the public in general to ensure the efficient operation of the Court. The Clerk is responsible for processing all ITA cases from the time of initial detention to discharge from commitment, including maintaining the files in LINX and perfecting the written record.

Essential Functions of Court Clerk in Civil Commitment Dept.

oProcesses legal documents filed with the court pertaining to cases heard in the Involuntary Civil Commitment Division of the Involuntary Civil Division of Pierce County Superior Court.

oPrepares minutes of proceedings and other court documents which constitutes the statutorily required record of all court proceedings.

oMaintains and controls custody of exhibits in felony and misdemeanor trials under RCW 10.77 & RCW 71.05; RCW 71.34

oMonitors and implements courtroom and general area security. Arranges for transportation of patients at Western State Hospital as well as in thecommunity.

oEnsures the judicial officer and security guards are alerted to any volatile situations.

oEnsures all open court protocols are observed.

oImplements policies and procedures regarding court calendars, including congested dockets for civil and criminal trials assigned to the ITA Court. Monitors the progress of cases with counsel and reports regularly to the Commissioner.

oActs as the judicial assistant to the Superior Court Commissioners as well as pro tems, as needed.

Train extra hire and permanent employees assigned to the ITA Court.

LEGAL ASSISTANT 1 2001 - 2002

PIERCE COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT CLERK’S OFFICE

Managed and worked as a Legal Assistant/Court Clerk in the Superior Court, Felony Division 1 & 2, including all aspects of processing felony cases, completing and filing pleadings and managing court schedules, from arraignment to post-sentencing.

PRO TEM JUDICIAL ASSISTANT 1996 - 2001 PIERCE COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT

Coordinated pro tempore civil trials to facilitate the expedient administration of civil caseload in Pierce County.

Self-employed Mediator/Consultant.

Acted as the mediator and legal consultant in dispute resolution in family law cases, worker's compensation, individual and for ILWU Tacoma Local members, personal injury cases and aging adult services.

JUDICIAL ASSISTANT 1992 - 1996

PIERCE COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT - DEPT. 12

Managed the civil and criminal dockets for Department 12 of the Superior Court, including overseeing clerical and procedural functions.

Provided research of statues, case law and legal writing to judicial officers. Facilitated the administration of jury trials.

Coordinated the administration of the full caseload of Dept. 12 for adults and juveniles commensurate with the duties of a Judicial Assistant. *Upon hiring, I was granted a step increase due to my skill level and status as a member of the WSBA

General Skills, Knowledge & Abilities

oKnowledge of State laws, local court rules, rules of criminal and civil procedure, administrative policies and court/clerk procedures.

oAbility to interpret court policies and procedures and apply them to the daily operation of the court, including the ability to discern when court intervention is necessary in responding to daily inquiries and those that may be handled independently by the Clerk/JA.

oWorking knowledge of all job functions and an understanding for the reasons behind them.

oAbility to anticipate problems and resolve them, including immediate responses to unprecedented situations that need prompt, confident resolution.

oAbility to manage time and organize work projects efficiently.

oAbility to communicate, in writing and orally, in an effective and clear manner, in relation to the needs of the person with whom communicating.

oAbility to follow simple as well as complex directions from the judicial officer.

oAbility to maintain confidential information and be implicitly trustworthy.

oAbility to establish and maintain harmonious relationships with persons and groups, both private and public.

oWillingness to provide prompt, courteous assistance to thereby improve public relations and facilitate access to the court.

oKnowledge of computer software and court systems, including word processing, case management systems, calendar production and programs essential to assist the judicial officer as well as litigants.

oAbility to operate such technical equipment and programs as may be available to the court and to take positive action to prepare for upgrades whether anticipated or not.

oKnowledge of security protocols, bomb threats and earthquake procedures, including CPR and first aid essentials.

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