Certified Litigation Paralegal

WINSTON WILLIS

Maplewood, NJ *****

973-***-**** - *************@*****.***

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Skilled in navigating legal processes at all levels, specializing in criminal defense litigation. Demonstrated expertise in legal research, case management, and providing litigation support. Aiming to contribute to a law firm as a paralegal, utilizing comprehensive legal knowledge and experience.

SKILLS

• Polished writing and editing

• Listening and communication skills

• Detail-oriented case/file review

• Legal research expertise

• Multi-project/case management

• Drafting legal documents

• Familiarity with MS Office suite

• eFiling systems knowledge

• Proficiency in LexisNexis

WORK HISTORY

03/2015 to 03/2025 Certified Litigation Paralegal

Peter R. Willis, Esq., LLP – Jersey City, NJ

• Drafted complaints, answers, and motions across federal, appellate, superior, tax, and municipal courts.

• Corresponded with opposing counsel and prosecutors to facilitate case management.

• Managed high-volume caseloads while prioritizing deadlines effectively.

• Reviewed discovery materials and created comprehensive case summaries.

• Researched statutes, local rules, case law, and drafted briefs for various legal motions (e.g. to sever, suppress, dismiss, withdraw plea, PTI/drug court/ pretrial detention appeals, summary judgment, orders to show cause and presentence memoranda) and appeals.

• Completed electronic court filings for both state and federal jurisdictions.

• Prepared and reviewed interrogatories and discovery requests, ensuring accuracy.

• Prepared EEOC complaint, charge of discrimination and corresponding civil lawsuit

• Managed office's real estate transactions from introduction and attorney review through closing, preparing relevant responses and documents. 04/2021 to 02/2023 Certified Litigation Paralegal

Willis & Novel, LLC – Jersey City, NJ

• Firm/tasks overlapped with those at Peter R. Willis, Esq., LLP. 07/2019 to 05/2022 Certified Paralegal

Stephen C. Gilbert, Esq., PC – Morristown, NJ

• Periodically worked on specific tax-related cases. 05/2015 to 03/2021 Certified Paralegal

Law Offices of James R. Lisa, Esq. – Jersey City, NJ

• Managed satellite office operations in Hackensack, NJ, ensuring efficiency and compliance.

• Responded to administrative actions from NJSCI, NJBOS, NJDEP, NJSPCA, NJDOH, and NJMVC.

• Analyzed Chapter 7 eligibility and prepared bankruptcy petitions and reaffirmation agreements.

• Resolved IRS and state agency tax disputes through · claims for refund, requests for abatement, requests for collection due process hearings, audit reconsiderations, requests for innocent spouse relief, offers in compromise or payment plans—from initial collection attempt or audit through appeals;

• Appealed multiple USDA SNAP violations committed by vendors to protect organizational interests.

• Negotiated settlements for FDA CTP violations, condo association dues, and NJDOL workers compensation issues.

09/2007 to 07/2012 Administrative Assistant

Willis & Young, PC – Jersey City, NJ

EDUCATION

12/2014 Paralegal Studies Program Certification: A.B.A. approved Fairleigh Dickinson University - Madison, NJ

05/2011 Bachelor of Arts: Creative Writing Major, History Minor Seton Hall University - South Orange, NJ

• published in student journal, graduated on Dean's List. MEMBERSHIPS

New Jersey Certified Paralegal, Notary Public, Voting Member South Jersey Paralegal Association, Associate Member National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

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