Diedre Smith Email & Phone Number

Murfreesboro, Tn, Us

Nashville, Tennessee, Us

Document production and organization. Prepare documents by typing transcribing, revising and proofreading legal documents, prioritizing assignments and meeting specific deadlines on projects. Prepare/draft pleadings, motions and written discovery in civil litigation. Communicate and assist clients and attorney in preparing responses to written discovery, document production, preparing for depositions and trials. Direct and ongoing communication with all court, medical and counterparts. Establish and maintain files. Possesses excellent oral and written communication skills and ability to perform tasks with minimal supervision, if at all. Ability to prioritize, multitask, take initiative and meet deadlines. High level of efficiency and accuracy in dealing with detailed work. Computer literate to include Adobe Acrobat Pro.

Sr. Paralegal, Litigation DepartmentInsurance Defense-Direct contact with client, court personnel, attorneys and other legal professionals-Research, analyze and assess most aspects of files-Draft correspondence, memoranda, discovery and pleadings-Calendar and track all discovery and various other deadlines-Review and summarize medical records-Schedule, track and review all depositions-Maintain, organize and index all case files-Assist with arbitration, mediation and trial preparation-Electronic filing in State and Federal Courts-Caseload: 20-30 files

Managed and oversaw all aspects of trial preparation for class action lawsuit involving defective plumbing in over 50,000 homes in the Las Vegas Valley to include, but not limit, document review, location and status of physical evidence, management of homes inspected, summarize findings of experts and independent contractors, and prepared matrices of all information gathered on each home. Prepared trial binders for attorneys to use in court. Responsible for compiling all information received from opposing attorneys, experts, inspectors, homeowners and contractors.

Interviewed clients, witnesses and experts to gather information for trial. Prepared legal documents and settlement brochures. Gathered and interpreted medical records and reports and provided written evaluation for attorneys. Researched issues and cases and reported findings to attorneys

Randolph Afb, Tx, Us

Make verbatim and summarized records of varied formal and informal legal proceedings of military courts-martial, investigations and administrative proceedings. Maintains trial binders and exhibits. Liaison between judges and counsel. Establishes and maintains appropriate suspense files to ensure actions are taken in a timely manner. Composes correspondence to obtain and/or supply information. Researches files, verifies information and resolves conflicting data. Independently transcribes and collates materials ensuring format, grammar, spelling, arrangement are in accordance with all regulations and local rules and policies. Ensures all legal requirements are met

Coordination of document production, responding to interrogatories, researching and drafting legal memoranda and pleadings, developing and maintaining document control for the more complex and higher impact litigation and regulatory filings. Conducted fact and legal research and investigations, located cases, dispositions,opinions, reports, and information related to the matter at hand.Drafted legal documents, complaints and answers, pleadings, discovery, discovery responses, routing notices, affidavits, motions and petitions. Contacted and interviewed parties, witnesses and experts, including the obtaining of written statements from witness.Choreographed and conducted all presentations in trials, mediations, hearings, depositions using Microsoft PowerPoint and Sanction II.

Specialties: Workers’ Compensation, Social Security DisabilityDrafted and filed all pleadings and documents required during the management of Workers’ Compensation and Social Security Disability claims actions. Conducted interviews of all new clients. Scheduled and prepared for deposition of plaintiffs, treating physicians and expert witnesses.Coordinated all denied Workers’ Compensation claims with clients, employers, adjusters, case managers, physicians, attorneys and the Commission. Attended all hearings with attorneys to provide assistance and information.

Responsible for all case filing and organization. Maintain all contact with clients and adjusters. Drafted and prepared all pleadings and legal documents. Engaged in deposition preparation and assisted attorney during depositions. Set up and maintained all office computer programs and files.

Mt. Pleasant, Sc, Us

Specialty: Class Action Personal InjuryComputerized litigation support, including the creation, maintenance and administration of databases and spreadsheets. Assisted attorneys with trial preparation and exhibit compilation. Responsible for the maintenance of correspondence and pleading files, database and case notebooks. Organized case files for use in trial preparation and summarized depositions. Conducted extensive legal research via the World Wide Web.

Randolph Afb, Tx, Us

Specialties: Military Law, Insurance Claims, FTCAInterviewed clients, witnesses and experts to gather information for trial. Prepared all pre- and post-trial matters for all courts-martial to involve high profile Air Force cases. Ensured completed court documents and records were received within statutory requirements. Transcribed and assembled investigations into high level discrimination complaints. Received, investigated, evaluated and recommended payment of claims against the government, including personal property, tort, and medical malpractice claims.

Bachelors, Criminal Sociology

Bachelors, Paralegal Studies

Certificate, Paralegal (Aba Approved Program)