Senior Litigation Paralegal with Leadership Mastery

C. LYNN ARMSTEAD, M.S.

951-***-**** *************@*****.***

SENIOR LITIGATION PARALEGAL

Focused, confident and committed Senior

Litigation Paralegal desirous of a top-level

position in a reputed law firm to assist clients with the professional skills gained in the past 26 years. It is with great pleasure that I introduce myself to you. I am Lynn Armstead, the Senior Paralegal at Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith. In addition to several years of experience as a Paralegal, I also hold a Master’s Degree in Organizational Management and Leadership and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Services. The positions I have held have been challenging and provided me with continual growth and success. I am flexible, adaptable, excellent negotiator and communicator, as well as a fast study. I feel confident that with minimal supervision, I am ready to provide your stellar company with excellent support. I am also accustomed to a fast-paced environment where deadlines are a priority and handling multiple jobs simultaneously is the norm. I enjoy a challenge and work hard to attain my goals.

Some of my accomplishments include:

• Assist in drafting Pleadings (Complaints, Answers, Demurrers)

• Preparing Discovery Requests and Responses

• Assist in Drafting Strong and Successful Motions

• Assist in Drafting Opposition to Motions (and Demurrers)

• Preparing Trial and Arbitration Briefs

• Assist in the Drafting of Legal Memoranda (Research Projects)

• Drafting Settlement Demand Letters

• Assisting in the drafting of Appellate Briefs

• Preparing Correspondence (To Clients & Opposing

Counsel)

• Knowledge of State and Federal Law/Procedure

• Notary Public

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS & EXPERTISE:

LEWIS BRISBOIS BISGAARD & SMITH – San Bernardino, CA 1/20 to Present Senior Personal Injury Litigation Paralegal

Investigated facts to obtain relevant issues necessary to determine causation, damages, and extent of injuries. Independently developed litigation plan to track and control legal expenses. Drafted correspondence, letters of protection and other legal instruments including summarizing depositions, medical records and discovery responses. Prepared discovery based on social media accounts and cell phone activity. Prepared Answers or Demurrers, discovery requests, deposition notices and requests for medical records, medical bills, film and pathology reports, Social Security records, 1099s and other work-related documents in accordance with carrier’s timeline. Maintained and excelled annual billing requirements of 1600 hours. Performed legal research using reference materials generally available within a law library and electronic resource tools. Organized and prioritize workloads to accomplish daily tasks. Ordered, reviewed, and summarized medical records. Drafted Discovery Motions and worked extensively on MSJ’s. Conducted extensive research for the firm on every issue to build strong cases. Contacted clients regarding Examination under Oath and confirmed and scheduled Independent Medical Examinations (IME's). Responsible for moving the case from litigation to post-trial. Create trial calendar and deadlines to prepare cases for trial. Prepare 998s, 2034 Expert Demands, Case Management Statements etc. Works with Deposition Coordinator to set depositions and prepares the case for Trial Setting Conference or Case Management Conferences. Prepare cases for trial. WEITZ & LUXENBERG, P.C. – Los Angeles, CA 11/07 to 1/20 Toxic Tort Paralegal/Senior Paralegal

Responsible for managing workflow, training, performed performance reviews and evaluations for 10 paralegals. Also assist in case assignments while maintaining a case load of 30 cases. Responsible for paralegals maintaining their continuing education credits. Review and manage documents for large complex civil litigation cases while maintaining and indexing document production for offsite storage. Conduct extensive document review involving confidential and non-confidential documents on large cases. Analyze case documents, identify legal issues, research and analyzes case law, statutes and legislative history regarding pertinent legal issues to determine case relevancy and applicability. Open, maintain, track and close case files; review cases for deadlines and procedural compliance, completeness and accuracy. Research and shepardize case law and statutes, investigate facts and prepare documents to assist attorneys such as prepare and draft Special Interrogatories, Form Interrogatories and Request for Production of Documents. Organize Separate Statements of Fact and draft legal memoranda in support of legal issues using case law. Work primarily on asbestos related matters. File documents in several counties and in Federal court. LYNBERG & WATKINS – Los Angeles, CA 11/97 to 11/07 Senior Paralegal

Principal point of contact for teams regarding logistical and administrative matters to include budgeting and team goals. Coordinate the efforts of the attorneys and supporting staff working on matters to ensure work is performed on time and with efficiency, including establishing internal deadlines. Inform attorneys about costs and effectiveness associated with staffing options, logistical decisions and choice of vendors. Coordinate document collection, tracking, review, indexing and production in conjunction with clients, attorneys, litigation support and vendors. Foster collaboration, teamwork, clear communication and a solutions-oriented approach. Demonstrate expertise in problem-solving and workflow efficiency. Focuses on the key elements of litigation, including delegation, setting expectations, measuring performance, and holding people accountable. Provides expertise to create and support quality control measures, strategies and initiatives. Identifies training and development needs and may participate in development and facilitation of training, as well as perform semi-annual and annual performance reviews. Responsible for direct reports of litigation specialists. Performs special projects as assigned. Work with attorneys to establish departmental strategies, policies, and procedures, as well as developing long-term objectives and initiatives. Responsible for identifying staffing needs, allocating work assignments and ensuring the efficient utilization of resources, including hiring additional paralegals as needed. Also oversee training and professional development initiatives, approve vacation and time off requests, and participate in the performance review process.

COMPUTER TRAINING & PROGRAMS:

COMPUTER TRAINING:

Access, File and ServeXpress and Westlaw. Also proficient in Windows XP Office, Excel, Microsoft Word, Word Perfect, Microsoft Office, Legal Solutions, Power Point, PACER, Outlook, Internet, Live Note 10, Trial Director and Federal e-filing. Full knowledge of State and Federal court filings. EDUCATION & CERTIFICATION & CREDENTIALS:

Master of Science in Organizational Management and Leadership SPRINGFIELD COLLEGE - Springfield, MA

Bachelor of Science in Human Services

SPRINGFIELD COLLEGE - Springfield, MA

Certificate in Paralegal Studies

SOUTHEASTERN PARALEGAL INSTITUTE (ABA Approved) - Dallas, TX SUMMARY OF DUTIES & CRITICAL COMPENTENCIES:

SUMMARY OF DUTIES:

● Obtain, review, organize and analyze preliminary documentation and information supporting client's claims.

● Draft Interrogatories, requests for admission, request for production of documents and requests for examination or inspection;

● Prepare chronologies from deposition testimony, document and other factual records;

● Draft responses to discovery requests;

● Coordinate response to requests for examination or inspection with client;

● Examine and if necessary, obtain public records relevant to facts of the lawsuit; and

● Analyze and summarize factual information.

DOCUMENT PRODUCTION:

● Review and obtain all relevant documents in client's possession;

● Work with attorney to determine documents to produce;

● Assist Attorney in reviewing documents for privilege and create privilege log;

● Draft log of privileged documents for production to opposing counsel in lieu of producing actual documents;

● Perform, supervise and coordinate objective/subjective coding of case documents. Develop document database for relevant case documents from document production;

● Attend document production on behalf of client, review and identify documents to be duplicated for actual production;

● Review, index, organize, analyze and summarize documents produced by other parties; and

● If necessary, prepare additional discovery request; follow up with outstanding discovery requests to ensure response by opposing parties; Update discovery responses as additional information is collected. DEPOSITIONS:

● Coordinate deposition schedule with client, attorneys and opposing counsel;

● Index and summarize deposition testimony and exhibits;

● Draft notice of oral deposition and serve subpoenas; if necessary draft duces tecum language for inspection in subpoena to acquire additional documents;

● Prepare commissions to take out of state depositions;

● Review and assemble exhibits to be included in the appendix to briefs; and

● Prepared Deposition Notices for both State and Federal cases. TRIAL PREPARATION:

● Work directly with experts, consultants and witnesses concerning case and assist to prepare them for trial;

● Prepare Motion in Limine, prepare offer to compromise pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure section 998;

● Prepare witness lists and compile exhibit lists;

● Prepare trial checklist and deadline chart;

● Discuss courtroom etiquette with clients and witnesses;

● Coordinate arrangements with local vendors regarding technical courtroom equipment, space and other requirements.

If trial is to be held in a distant city or state, set up "trial office";

● Assist in developing outlines for direct and cross-examination of witnesses;

● Coordinate lay and expert witnesses' attendance at trial;

● Draft trial subpoena for non-party witnesses;

● Coordinate preparation of graphic exhibits, video and/or computer presentations and other demonstrative evidence materials for use at trial;

● Attend jury selection and record information obtained from voir dire questioning or potential jurors;

● Develop chart of jury chosen with information gathered during the jury selection process;

● Assist attorney by maintaining list of exhibits as identified, offered into evidence, admitted or objected to and noting development of case;

● Order hearing transcripts and prepare index or outline of transcripts or input on full-text research database;

● Prepare Memorandum of Costs;

● Making deposition clips and syncing them with the transcript;

● Creating the documentary and demonstrative exhibit database prior to trial;

● Working with trial counsel and witnesses to help them prep their presentation;

● Planning and setting up the electronics in the war room and courtroom;

● Helping trial counsel finalize their courtroom presentations;

● Running a flawless in-court presentation and offering instant access to any piece of evidence; and

● Creating demonstratives on-the-fly in court for use on cross and in closing. SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & ATTRIBUTES:

● Highly organized

● Good communication skills

● Excellent research and writing skills

● Ability to multitask

● Good computer skills

● Pays close attention to detail

● Works well independently

● Works well under pressure

● Maintains a professional attitude

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