Probate, Estate Planning, Elder Law, Guardianship.

Managed and supervised up to 21 docketing, records, and legal support staff in Seattle and Portland locations. Hiring, training, and scheduling new and existing personnel and temps; drafting and revising job descriptions; employee counseling; annual performance evaluations; and salary adjustments.Worked with vendors to update and maintain department specific software, offsite document storage and retrieval processes, temporary and permanent personnel placement agencies. Assisted in selection of and negotiation with software and service vendors as needed. Reviewed and approved invoices.Performed business analysis to reduce staff and increase overall efficiency of firm-wide centralized docketing department by analyzing workflow, workload, end user, and staffing needs; assessed coverage requirements, then standardized processes and created an intermediate position to assist with administrative tasks, allowing fewer, higher-paid paralegal specialists to process more technical issues. Monitored and adjusted staffing and services as required by end users.Developed web-based interface to provide end users with direct, personalized access to docketing database and records. Developed training materials and trained attorneys and legal staff in the use of the custom software, then continued to adjust the product based on customer input

Legal Research and Analysis: Researched relevant case law, statutes, and State and local rules using various research tools (online research using Westlaw, Casemaker, federal, state, and local web sites, etc.). Prepared briefs. Conducted background investigations. Document and Pleading Preparation: Drafted motions, declarations, hearing, mediation, arbitration, and trial briefs, correspondence, interrogatories and requests for production and answers to same, case summaries, pretrial conference and trial materials, post-trial orders. Case Management: Developed and maintained issues matrix, organized issues and prioritized for attorneys, docket dates, ensured compliance with Case Schedules, performed conflicts checks. Coordinated experts, investigators and evaluators and obtain testimony. Coordinated document exchanges; interrogatory answers, Confirmations of Issues, Joint Statements of Evidence, schedule CR 26(i) conferences, hearings, depositions, mediations, and arbitrations. Software: Developed Access database to track client information and merge with customized pleadings. Developed software to calculate child support, including Arvey and full-family deviations, withholding and FICA tax. Developed Excel spreadsheets for property distribution, mortgage rule, spousal maintenance, and judgment interest.Client Communications: Communicate with clients, responsible for keeping clients apprised of case status, prioritize and address emergent issues, counseling and advising when dealing with high-conflict matters and opposing parties, assisted answering interrogatories, prepared clients and witnesses for deposition and trial.Trial and Hearing Preparation: Drafted pleadings, prepared trial notebooks, trial briefs, and hearing packets. Organized and summarized documents and exhibits. King, Pierce, and Snohomish County filing procedures. King and Pierce County E-Fling procedures. Washington State Patrol background checks. Attorney support at hearings and trial.

Assessed and assigned special projects, organized training, and acted as liaison between the legal staff in the trademark and the records departments.Collaborated with the Department Head to develop and implement a records system for the Intellectual Property practice. This required familiarity with prosecution and litigation procedures for domestic and international trademarks and domain name registrations, as well as assessing the needs of attorneys, paralegals, legal secretaries, and records personnel. Developed the materials and procedures to train departmental staff and implement the system.

Primary services included galvanic surveys, evaluating and installing galvanic protection, maintaining and repairing boathouses, docks, moorings, and private yachts. Employed up to 5 employees and three subcontractors. Responsible for all aspects of small business management.

Developed curricula for and taught English Composition, English Literature, Business Writing, Journalism, Comparative Mythology, Algebra, and Pre-Algebra. Faculty Adviser to student newspaper.