Litigation Legal Secretary

Melissa A. Capo

**** **** **** *****, ********, MD 21045

786-***-**** Email: f7y797@r.postjobfree.com

OBJECTIVE

Seeking a permanent full-time position as a Sr. Legal Secretary, where I can utilize my 15 years of diversified and progressive legal experience in the best way possible to achieve the company’s goals.

SELECT ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Processed status reports on over 100 cases per assigned attorneys and then reviewed with Managing Partners.

• Recovered $80,000 from past due invoices within a three-month period.

• Successfully expedited case settlements, cost recovery and closed files.

• Identified several major omissions in original documents prepared by attorneys prior to filing with the courts.

EXPERIENCE

• Prepared attorneys for hearings by compiling all pertinent documents and retrieving all case law cited in motions.

• Prepared and processed legal documents such as: civil cover sheet, summons, complaints, discovery, motions, pretrial agreements, subpoenas, notices of hearings and standard pleadings.

• Prepared attorneys for trial, issued subpoenas, bate stamped documents, prepared trial exhibits, complied with all requirements pertaining to trial court order, set pertinent depositions, and attended trials.

• Communicated frequently with judicial staff and/or personnel for State, Federal, Circuit, County, Supreme, Appellate and Bankruptcy Courts; confirmed fees, requirements and set hearings.

• Specialized in Electronic filings.

• Maintained communications with attorneys, clients, and experts from point of case sign up, discovery process, to trial phase.

• Responsible for managing high volume cases for major accounts.

• Contacted clients to assist in meeting discovery deadline compliance, arranged a date and time for deposition or statement to be taken and when needed, translated documents from English to Spanish.

• Consulted with physicians and other subject matter experts related to each assigned case. Obtained CV’s, ordered IME’s and/or evaluation reports.

• Duties included opening new files, performing conflicts check, docketing/calendaring, filing, processing time entries, faxing and photocopying.

• Meet and greet clients, prepare conference rooms, set up telephone conferences, answer phones and prepare correspondence and/or prepare and process pleadings for court filing.

• Assisted with firm event planning, corporate events, fundraisers, campaigns, and social mixers.

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS

• Excellent communications skills, able to communicate effectively with a wide diversity of personnel/clientele.

• Seasoned and experienced Sr. Legal Secretary with a 15 year track record of meeting and exceeding expectations in fast-paced and high-pressured environments.

• Proven ability to produce quality work, meet tight deadlines, set and balance priorities, and mentor junior staff, with professionalism and integrity.

• Experienced with legal terminology.

EDUCATION

• Sobolsohn School for Paralegals, New York, NY – Certified Paralegal

• Robert Morgan Vocational Technical, Miami, FL – Degree in Computer Programming

• Robert Morgan Vocational Technical, Miami, FL – Degree in Business Management

• College of Southern Maryland, La Plata, MD – Certified Event Planner

KEY SKILLS

• Electronic Filing (CM/ECF), Microsoft Word, Word Perfect, Power Point, Excel, Attorney Time Keeper Programs, Docs Open, AIM, Perfect Law, IManage, TCMS, TABS, Time Matters

• Law Areas:

Civil/Commercial Litigation, Corporation Litigation, Personal Injury, Maritime, Securities Arbitration, U.S. Trustee, Bankruptcy and Patent and Trademark.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Whateva’ Works Ent., LLC (web-based business founded in South Florida) 2009-Present

Co-President, Marketing Specialist and Event Coordinator. Work with Managing Partner and Project Development Director. Duties include assist in obtaining new business, establishing and maintaining communications with clients, creative writing, press releases, media, create print ads and manage events. Managed the development of the website and co-produced a two part CD compilation showcasing Independent Artists.

Tabas & Freedman, Miami, FL 2011

Sr. Legal Secretary in the U.S. Trustee, Bankruptcy and Civil/Commercial Litigation departments.

Conroy, Simberg, Ganon, Krevans, Abel, Lurvey, Morrow & Schefer, Hollywood, FL 2009-2010

Sr. Legal Secretary in the Commercial litigation, property law, appellate and insurance defense departments.

K&L Gates, LLP, Miami, FL 2007-2009

Sr. Legal Secretary in the Bankruptcy and civil law departments.

Fowler White & Burnett, Miami, FL 2006-2007

Administrative Sr. Legal Secretary in the Patent and Trademark law department. In addition, handled all administrative duties and billing for clients.

Dimond Kaplan & Rothstein, Miami, FL 2005-2006

Legal Secretary/Paralegal in the Civil Litigation and Securities Arbitration departments.

Daniels, Kashtan, Downs, Robertson & Magathan, Miami, FL 2001-2005

Sr. Legal Secretary/Paralegal in the Construction, Civil Litigation and Insurance Defense law departments.

Morgan & Finnegan, LLP, New York, NY 2000-2001

Legal Secretary in the Patent and Trademark and Civil Litigation departments.

D’Amato & Lynch, New York, NY 1998-2000

Legal Secretary in the Civil and Corporate Litigation law departments.

Kafko, Schnitzer & Sheeger, Bronx & Manhattan, NY 1997-1998

Sr. Legal Secretary in the General Litigation, Family, Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice law departments.

Myles Tralins & Associates, Miami, FL 1995-1997

Secretary and Administrator to 3 retired judges, Hon. Gerald Wetherington, Hon. Herbert M. Klein, and Hon. Phillip A. Hubbard.

Panther & Panther, Miami, FL 1993-1995

Receptionist, Floater to Sr. Secretaries and Jr. Secretary to Associate of Counsel. Familiarized with Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice, Wrongful Death and General Litigation law.

References Available Upon Request.

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