Paralegal

Posted on: 2008-12-15

Lauren McRay 3167 24th Street San Francisco, CA 94110 (415) 260-6407 [email protected] PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Jackson & Wallace, LLP, San Francisco, CA March 2005-August 2008, Paralegal 2006-2008: General civil litigation; head paralegal for department 2005-2006: Asbestos litigation Trial preparation including exhibit preparation, expert retention and witness coordination Conducted training and mentoring for insurance defense paralegals The liaison for paralegals, attorneys and staff for civil support operations Recruited driven and talented paralegals and staff Coordinated vendor/staff meetings Initiated and maintained relationships with crucial vendors and experts Facilitated organizational enhancement in reporting mechanisms and staff operations Spearheaded case research, analysis and strategy, by: Investigating previous claims, medical history and case facts Presenting investigative findings through evaluation and status reports Conducting discovery and negotiating discovery schedules to meet deadlines Coordinating court hearings, depositions, examinations and inspections Developing client relationships through open-ended communication and commitment as a legal resource Milestones: Enhanced paralegal and support staff operations by changing document maintenance system, case reporting mechanisms and restructuring support staff Developed relationships with insured companies, contributing to new clients for civil defense team Lew Edwards, Oakland, CA September-December 2004, Organizer (Campaign-specific paid position for above period) Mobilized resident involvement in environmental action for political consulting firm and Monterey County Stand Up! Florida, Berkeley, CA February-May 2004, Research Assistant (Campaign-specific paid position for above period) Researched voter disenfranchisement in Florida in the 2000 Election, contributing to organization outreach plan for 2004 Election Written and verbal communications with community leaders and researchers INTERNSHIPS Bay Area Alternative Press, Berkeley, CA August-December 2004, Communications Coordinator Coordinated speaking engagements and organizational meetings Met with community leaders and organization heads for purpose of partnership and fundraising; formed coalitions with worker organizations Led volunteer prospecting Senator Barbara Boxer, San Francisco, CA August-December 2002, Intern Staff Assistant Intake agent for constituent telephone calls and letters Addressed constituent concerns and prepared reports to Senator Managed constituent communication database EDUCATION University of California-Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, Bachelor of Arts-Political Science December 2003 Democratization strategies and transnational feminist studies Business organization and operation National Organization for Women member Gloria Steinem Leadership Institute, Washington, D.C. July 2003, Sponsored by Choice U.S.A. Attended over 30 training sessions on reproductive health policy, media relations, political networking, campaigning and fundraising Lobbied Congressmen Kay Granger, Ken Lucas and Mitch McConnell regarding reproductive rights issues Tarrant County College, Euless, TX, Associate in Arts-Sociology May 2001 Cornerstone honors scholarship 2001 Humanities Award; 2001 Sociology Award 1st Place in "Intellectual Woman" writing competition BUSINESS SKILLS Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Expert in internet-assisted research, i-Manage, Legal Solutions Data-intensive studies, calculations and graphing to accomplish business objectives Training employees and implementing development strategies Managing prospecting, networking and creating partnerships Troubleshooting and finding solutions to organizational problems Growing a business name through quality, consistent representation and promotion