Legal Assistant Victim Advocate

Frances O 'Malley
604 Harmony Lane
Pleasantville, CA 94588
(925) 555-1234

OBJECTIVE

Legal Assistant with 10 years experience in the legal system, handling case management and performing legal research tasks.

STRENGTHS

• Proven theoretical training and hands-on experience in legal studies.
• Experience in case management skills and assessment techniques.
• Active knowledge and practice of the tools and use of legal research.
• Persistent and dedicated, exhaust all resources to get the job done.
• Confident communicator and comfortable addressing the court one-on-one.
• Community focused and volunteer.

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE

Guardian Ad Litem Program, Tallahassee, FL
2000 - Present
Victim Advocate

Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL
1998 - 2000
Legal Research Internship

Clerk of the County Office, Tallahassee, FL
1996 - 1998
Law Clerk Internship

Saratoga Plumbing Company, Tallahassee, FL
1994 - 1996
Administrative Assistant

Antiques, Tallahassee, FL
1992 - 1994
Co-Manager

Legal System - Research and Writing
• Contributed to production of numerous legal articles through legal and statistical research using LEXIS/NEXIS and Westlaw.
• Performed legal research and wrote on various issues under direction of County Attorney.
- Handled casework, attended depositions and performed interviews with defendants/plaintiffs.
- Planned interrogatory questions, requested files, attended review of attorney's arguments.
• Handled legal work and filed liens and small claims, N.T.O.'s, collections, and AP/AR.

Court Procedures / Client Case Management
• As victim advocate for Guardian Ad Litem program, conducted interviews, assessments, and evaluations in conjunction with other agencies and court system for child's best interests in issues of abuse and neglect, sexual molestation, custody, divorce, paternity, or termination of parental rights
• Assessed effectiveness of current case plan, recommend necessary revisions and testify in court

Leadership and Management
• Appointed to 5-member Student Advisory Board for Legal Studies Program at FSU.
- Acted as liaison between student and faculty - formulated plans to obtain funding for scholarships.
- Evaluated and formulated suggestions for adding or deleting courses from curriculum.
• Co-managed the start-up and day-to-day operations of a small retail shop (My Darling).
- Handled purchasing and procurement of goods, worked with customers, procured licenses, attended shows, negotiated with dealers, handled advertising, researched antique authenticity .

EDUCATION

Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL
B.A., Legal Studies, Minor: Criminal Justice
GPA: 4.0, Graduated Summa Cum Laude, Dean's List, Alpha Alpha Theta Chi Legal Society

• Law and Society • Civil Practice & Procedure • Legal Research & Writing
• Evidence • Law of Contracts • Administrative Law
• Law & Legal System • Law of Torts • Criminal Procedure
• State & Local Government • Property & Real Estate Law • Justice

A.A. in General Studies, North Florida Community College, Jacksonville, FL; GPA: 4.0

COMPUTER SKILLS

• Microsoft Word, Windows 95, WordPerfect, and familiar with Excel.

PRWRA Laura DeCarlo - A Competitive Edge Career Service - http://www.acompetitiveedge.com - getanedge@aol.com