Skills:
Paralegal and J.D. with extensive experience and excellent management and client relation skills seeking a position within a law firm or corporate legal department where a working knowledge of legal terminology, general law and legal proceedings pertaining to the following case types will be fully utilized and expanded: Civil Litigation, Corporations & LLCs (Start-Up & Compliance), Bankruptcy (Chapters 7, 11, 13), Tort Law, Real Property, Criminal Defense, Family Law, Juvenile Law, Administrative Law, Probate Law (Conservatorship, Guardianship & Adoption) and Transportation/Vehicular Law. Strong legal, analytical, drafting, research, administrative, organizational and proven effective verbal skills with the ability to prioritize and complete work under tight deadlines on short turn-around time and work overtime when required, multi-task on several high priority projects in a fast-paced environment and problem solve. Initial screening and vetting of client cases; attorney conflict issues; creation and maintenance of hard and digital case files; and working knowledge of Microsoft Word Suite and many other law-related software programs. Maintain effective communication with clients and other interested persons, while zealously safeguarding client confidences, proprietary or personal data through automated case-management programs and common sense. Drafting and filing of all necessary preliminary pleadings and papers; familiar with e-filing. Analysis of necessary disclosure and proposed discovery, with time-tables and the practical division of issues; drafting and filing of motions to compel discovery, summary judgment and other filings within a vigorous motion practice; and review, condensation and summarization of depositions and relevant evidence. Conduct timely legal research of relevant issues and integration of legal authority into all court filings. Creation of trial notebook; gathering and sequencing of trial exhibits; education of client and witnesses of expected testimony; and drafting of trial legal memoranda and other necessary filings. Assistance during all phases of trials and hearings including preparation and preview of all evidence to be presented for admission; scheduling and appearance of client and witnesses, issuance and service of subpoenas to obtain records; simultaneous analysis of witness testimony; and assistance with preserving the record through timely objection. Post-trial review, analysis, drafting and filing of post-trial motions or notice of appeal; drafting of appeal briefs and all other necessary filings at any level of review in any court. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE 2004 Present Michael B. Morrison Paralegal Services, Cameron Park, CA 1982 2004 Law Office of Michael Bassett Morrison, Tempe, Arizona EDUCATION 1982 - Juris Doctorate Degree, The Thomas M. Cooley Law School, Lansing, Michigan 1979 - Bachelor of Arts Degree (Philosophy), Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan