Assistant Insurance

NICOLE FRANCESCA PANICO **** Island Boulevard #***0, Aventura, FL 33160

*******@*****.*** 786-***-****

BAR LICENSURES

Licenses: State of Florida, 2004 ; Southern District of Florida, 2009 LANGUAGES: Fluent in Spanish

EDUCATION

University of Pittsburgh School of Law, Pittsburgh, PA. J.D., 2002

Honors: Alpha Phi Delta Fraternity Scholarship; CALI Excellence for the Future Award

Columbia University, New York, NY M.A., Spanish Literature, 1998

Activities: Assistant Editor, Revista Hispánica Moderna, Hispanic Institute, Columbia University

Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA B.A., English and Spanish, cum laude, 1996

Honors: Dean’s List; Alpha Phi Delta Fraternity Scholarship; Phi Beta Pi National Honor Fraternity

Activities: Co-Editor and Staff writer, 1992-93, The Bucknellian

International program: Hamilton College, Spain, Madrid, 1995; studied language, culture and history of Spain.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Acosta Civil Trial Attorneys Coral Gables, FL Associate Attorney, Litigation July 2011 – May 2012

• Handled all aspects if first-party property insurance defense cases including: communicating with plaintiff’s counsel; negotiating settlements on behalf of client; conducting all phases of written discovery; preparing and arguing law and motion matters in court; taking plaintiff, witness and expert depositions as well as defending same; attending mediations on behalf of client; contacting experts; and preparing settlement documents.

• Examined factual case data to determine advisability of defending lawsuits and rendered legal advice through routine updates to client.

Argus Fire & Casualty Insurance Company Miami, FL Associate Legal Counsel January 2011- July 2011

•Pre-suit: Conduct Examinations Under Oath of insured and provide legal analysis to claims department;

•Litigation: Draft pre-trial motions; conduct discovery; handle legal research concerning first-party coverage issues and draft memoranda; conduct depositions; participate in mediations; argue motions in circuit and county courts; negotiate and draft settlement agreements.

The Law Offices of Nicole F. Panico, P.A. Miami, FL Immigration Attorney April 2010 - January 2011

•Counsel and represent clients before USCIS and EOIR Miami Immigration Court and the Bureau of Immigration Appeals.

Swartz & Lenamon Miami, FL Criminal Defense, Immigration, Litigation Associate April 2009 - April 2010

•Counsel and represent in state and federal criminal matters, Immigration, and civil matters; Co-writer for The Defender magazine

Church World Service Miami, FL Immigration Staff Attorney January 2006 - June 2007

• Counsel clients in adjustment/removal proceedings and asylum cases; attend master calendar and individual hearings.

• Carry out intake interviews; prepare clients for court appearances/USCIS interviews.

• Assemble legal research, as well as immigration petitions; file documents.

• Interact with USCIS officers and supervisors at local district office or service centers to adequately represent clients.

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• Draft pleadings, motions, supplemental statements, and rebuttals to Notice of Intent to Deny and Request for Evidence.

• Execute new program initiatives in compliance with Department of Children and Families State grant guidelines.

• Developed Elderly Citizenship program, now assisting 400 clients; supervise staff.

Sirota & Associates, P.A. Miami, FL Immigration Attorney May 2005 - August 2005

• Served as representation for clients in deportation proceedings before Immigration Court, as well as Homeland Security Officers in naturalization hearings and marriage interviews.

• Compiled and submitted visa petitions, including L-1, E-2, H-1B, O-1.

• Responded to requests for evidence; filed labor certification applications and PERM cases.

• Advised clients on procedures regarding employment-based and family-based immigration matters.

Rojas, Santos, Stokes & Garcia, LLP (Dissolved) Coral Gables, FL Litigation Associate 2004-2005

• Composed pleadings and memoranda for complex insurance defense case involving wholesale/retail insurance brokers.

• Researched complex litigation issues, including subrogation, contractual indemnity, joint-tortfeasors, and breach of contract.

• Appeared in court and argued motion to withdraw as counsel; assisted lead attorney in summary judgment hearings.

• Participated in pre-trial and pre-mediation conferences in preparation for upcoming trial.

Pittsburgh Regional Immigrant Assistance Center Pittsburgh, PA Legal Intern 2002

• Liaised between attorneys and Spanish speaking clients during interviews.

• Coordinated informational seminars concerning Diversity Visa Lottery Program and Family-Based immigration petitions.

• Wrote memoranda; conducted research; translated documents; aided with petitions and filings.

Farmworker Legal Services Bangor, MI Legal Intern 2002

• Negotiated settlements; counseled clients and conducted interviews.

• Conducted legal research and completed immigration petitions.

• Provided legal advice to clients; led educational seminars, concerning migrant rights for clients/migrant agency staff.

University of Pittsburgh School of Law Pittsburgh, PA Teaching Assistant 2001-2002

• Advised first-year students on research, writing, and legal citation matters; led discussion sessions.

District Court, Western District of Pennsylvania Pittsburgh, PA Legal Intern, Honorable Robert J. Cindrich Summer 2000

• Observed pre-trial conferences, negotiations, and criminal trial.

• Examined social security disability income standards; wrote opinion on judicial review of social security disability application.

University of Pittsburgh School of Law Pittsburgh, PA Research Assistant Summer 2000

• Performed legal research regarding constitutional law issues for written publication by professor.

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