Helena Rijkenberg
Cobourg,ON
Summary
Dedicated legal professional. Proven success in building trusting rapport with clients and offering sound legal advice in clear and universal terms. Hardworking and dedicated to client advocacy. Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals. Hardworking and passionate job seeker with strong organizational skills eager to secure entry-level position. Ready to help team achieve company goals. Detail-oriented team player with strong organizational skills. Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously with a high degree of accuracy. To seek and maintain full-time position that offers professional challenges utilizing interpersonal skills, excellent time management and problem-solving skills. Dedicated to ongoing training and development.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Attorney/ Author/Administrator
Self-employed
01.2020 - Current
- Drafted, reviewed and negotiated contracts and other legal documents to support client needs.
- Researched and interpreted laws, rulings and regulations to advise clients on business and legal transactions.
- Negotiated settlements of disputes and litigation.
- Developed legal strategies to protect client interests and resolve disputes.
- Developed strategies and arguments for hearings, trials and appeals.
- Provided legal counsel to clients on diverse business, financial and civil matters.
- Developed strategies to resolve cases in client's best interest.
- Analyzed probable outcomes of cases using knowledge of legal precedents.
- Filed timely case pleadings to meet firm deadlines.
- Advocated for clients before court in oral argument by presenting facts and evidence in most favorable light.
- Analyzed legal documents and identified pertinent issues for clients.
- Created and finalized contracts and other legal documents for clients.
- Counseled clients on potential outcomes of legal matters.
- Interpreted laws, rulings and regulations for individuals and businesses.
- Prepared and filed pleadings, motions and other legal documents in court proceedings.
- Researched and wrote contracts, agreements and proposals.
- Negotiated settlements with opposing counsel.
- Researched, wrote and filed motions, writs and briefs for each case.
- Represented clients in court hearings and in negotiations with other parties.
- Interviewed witnesses and gathered public record research relevant to each case.
- Established a forum for Candidate Attorneys on Facebook. Candidate Attorney Support Page/Group https://www.facebook.com/profile.php? id=100071700430668
- Wrote and published "Court Customs,Conduct and Cross-Examination. A Practical Guide For candidate Attorneys" 2021 ISBN 978-1-77634-377-5
Candidate Attorney/ Attorney
Flip Coetzer Inc
09.2018 - 12.2019
- Assisted lawyers with materials preparation for internal and external training events.
- Provided legal research and legal technical content to produce products showcasing firm expertise.
- Developed online, client-facing and internal resources and collated resource content.
- Developed relationships among lawyers to facilitate knowledge-sharing and expertise.
- Completed research, compiled data, and assisted in timely reporting.
- Took meeting notes and compiled paperwork to support department.
- Analyzed legal documents and identified pertinent issues for clients.
- Created and finalized contracts and other legal documents for clients.
- Counseled clients on potential outcomes of legal matters.
- Interpreted laws, rulings and regulations for individuals and businesses.
- Prepared and filed pleadings, motions and other legal documents in court proceedings.
- Negotiated settlements with opposing counsel.
- Represented clients in court hearings and in negotiations with other parties.
- Interviewed witnesses and gathered public record research relevant to each case.
Crafts Teacher
Self-employed
01.2002 - 07.2010
- Managed art room supplies, equipment and resources to maintain consistent supply for projects.
- Inspired students and assisted in developing creativity and self-expression through various art forms and media.
- Assisted students in developing unique artistic skills and techniques.
- Taught classes on painting, collage, and color theory.
- Developed and implemented various thematic lesson plans, utilizing age-appropriate material and focusing on relevant topics.
- Developed and implemented engaging art lessons for students aged 2 to 7 years of age with child/parent workshops.
Administrative Manager Contract
Department Of Justice And Constitutional Development
12.2000 - 06.2001
- Updated reports, managed accounts, and generated reports for company database.
- Oversaw office inventory activities by ordering and requisitions and stocking and shipment receiving.
- Supervised staff and delegated tasks to maintain positive, productive administrative operations.
- Established workflow processes, monitored daily productivity, and implemented modifications to improve overall performance of personnel.
- Developed and implemented improved filing systems for enhanced order and accuracy.
- Met department budgets by monitoring and reporting on office expenses.
- Coordinated office events, seminars and meetings for staff and clients.
- Created organized filing system to manage department documents.
- Created reports, presentations and other materials for executive staff.
Clothing Manufacturer and Embroidery
Self-employed
01.1999 - 11.2000
- Worked with raw materials to develop complete and commercially viable products.
- Conducted performance tests and quality assurance tests of goods to meet product certification requirements.
- Incorporated automated systems to produce goods of good quality and consistently speed up processes.
- Produced items in bulk and removed assembling complexities by using automated systems.
- Liaised with distributors to supply goods and build strong and fruitful business relationships.
- Verified that all general manufacturing processes met high quality standards.
- Trained and mentored junior staff in manufacturing processes and procedures.
- Managed production of high-quality general merchandise in timely and cost-efficient manner.
- Troubleshot and resolved general manufacturing issues and faults promptly to minimize downtime.
- Monitored inventory levels of general merchandise to guarantee adequate supply.
- Maintained accurate records and documentation for general merchandise production.
- Coordinated transportation and delivery of merchandise.
- Met production targets and tight deadlines by collaborating closely with team members.
- Used problem-solving and issue-resolution skills to promptly and successfully address production problems.
- Performed general equipment maintenance and repair to minimize downtime.
Clerk of the Court
Department Of Justice And Constitutional Development
01.1994 - 12.1998
- Maintained court dockets and updated disposition of cases after court hearings and trials.
- Prepared court orders and judgments for signature.
- Answered telephone calls, took messages and transferred calls to appropriate colleagues.
- Provided assistance to attorneys and court personnel in courtroom
- Reviewed court documents to process subpoenas, motions and pleadings.
- Collected court fees and fines and recorded amounts collected.
- Drafted professional court correspondence to facilitate legal proceedings.
- Examined legal documents submitted to courts for adherence to laws and court procedures.
- Responded to in-person and telephone requests for information from general public, attorneys and other involved parties.
- Processed payments for fines and fees, maintained accurate drawers, issued receipts, and updated account balances.
- Performed routine data entry or document management.
- Responded to requests for information from public, other municipalities or state and federal legislative offices.
- Assisted newly hired clerks in learning about application reviews and verification procedures, performance strategies and customer service techniques.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Law
University of South Africa
Pretoria, South Africa05.2017
No Degree - Various
Udemy Online
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
University of South Africa
Pretoria, South AfricaSkills
- Efficient Researcher
- Dispute Arbitration
- Legal Writing
- Case Management
- Document Preparation
- Evaluating Contracts
- Investigation Skills
- Settlement Negotiation
- Administrative Support
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Afrikaans
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Attorney/ Author/Administrator
Self-employed
01.2020 - Current
Candidate Attorney/ Attorney
Flip Coetzer Inc
09.2018 - 12.2019
Crafts Teacher
Self-employed
01.2002 - 07.2010
Administrative Manager Contract
Department Of Justice And Constitutional Development
12.2000 - 06.2001
Clothing Manufacturer and Embroidery
Self-employed
01.1999 - 11.2000
Clerk of the Court
Department Of Justice And Constitutional Development
01.1994 - 12.1998
Bachelor of Arts - Law
University of South Africa
No Degree - Various
Udemy Online
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
University of South Africa
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