Legal Assistant to attorney David Ferrentino. Part of civil litigation team comprised of two senior attorneys, three associate attorneys and three legal assistants. Duties are to finalize contracts, compile closing binders and prepare documents for closings, draft common pleadings, motions and orders, and to then e-file documents with the courts. I conduct online research and review public records, do document review and generally assist with client scheduling and maintaining calendar of busy attorney.

Managed deadline driven day-to-day operations as Office Manager at construction consulting firm consisting of professional engineers, architects and lawyers who serve as expert witnesses in complex construction litigation. The firm relied on my journalism skills and legal background to research, write and edit expert reports and opinion briefs. Responsibilities included all bookkeeping and banking, client billing, payroll and human resources (new hire processing, 401K, licenses).

Generate pleadings and e-file all accordingly using CM/ECF for US District Court and the Florida courts efiling portal for Circuit/County courts; coordinate hearings, depositions, mediation sessions and trials; schedule all activity on attorney calendar; prepare trial notebooks and exhibits; generate monthly bills; prepare written correspondence and email messages; and do anything and everything necessary to keep sole practitioner's office working expeditiously.

I was the legal assistant to attorney Karen E. Maller. The job required tremendous overtime and I was not able to provide as many hours as required (55+ hours a week was not enough). Focus of work was on HOA/condo association litigation and foreclosure. Karen Maller recommended me to my current employer when I left this firm.

As the only assistant to a sole practitioner, I was responsible for finalizing all work product produced by attorney specializing in probate matters and various types of civil litigation. I managed all client files from open to close and was responsible for meeting deadlines with regard to discovery, filing Motions and other pleadings, setting hearings, coordinating depositions, preparing subpoenas and moving towards settlement and/or mediation and trial. This job required constant contact with clients and I fielded all phone calls. Other specific duties were upkeep of calendar, a large amount of transcription (8-10 tapes per day), supervising file clerk, making bank deposits when necessary and any other task assigned by attorney.