I am a loyal, highly competent professional with exceptional technical and communication skills with a strong work ethic who is self-driven looking for a permanent, full-time position. Driven Legal Assistant with 15 years of experience in, mostly, corporate law. Highly skilled at multitasking and prioritizing tasks to complete projects on time and determine appropriate courses of action. Seasoned collaborator experienced in meeting needs, improving processes and exceeding requirements in team environments. Diligent worker with strong communication and task prioritization skills. Results-driven professional skilled in researching information and preparing necessary correspondence
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Legal Assistant / Floater
DLA Piper (CANADA) LLP
08.2017 - 11.2020
Organized documents to manage paper and electronic filing systems of clients.
Filed court documents and legal pleadings with court clerk on behalf of attorneys.
Prepared and drafted correspondence and legal forms to maintain smooth communications.
Managed accounts and client records of clients, observing confidentiality, and extreme discretion.
Handled office scheduling and made notes for deadlines, motions, and other important dates.
Worked alongside attorneys, administrative assistants, and fellow legal assistants on complex cases and legal processes.
Scheduled appointments, court appearances, and depositions for busy law firm.
Prepared and managed attorney travel itineraries to optimize scheduling.
Communicated pertinent information to clients via phone, email, and mail.
Contacted clients to schedule appointments and discuss progress of cases.
Produced legal documents such as briefs, pleadings and appeals.
Reviewed, edited and proofread litigation for proper grammar, spelling and punctuation.
Revised and finalized letters, briefs, and memos.
Interviewed clients to obtain information relevant to cases.
Attended court hearings and depositions to take notes and document proceedings.
Researched statutes, decisions, legal articles, and codes.
Contacted witnesses to testify under oath at court hearings.
Created weekly, monthly and quarterly expense reports.
Analyzed deeds of trust to verify grantor, grantee, trustee and loan amounts for executive leadership.
Legal Assistant
Bennett Jones LLP
04.2015 - 07.2017
Corporate Law (Private Equity, M&A, Securities)
Assistant to a partner who is the head of Private Equity and mid-level associate
Document preparation relating to incorporations, organizations, amendments and reorganizations with respect to private and public corporations and partnerships
Document and administrative preparation of documents relating to securities transactions including resolutions, transfers, redemptions and repurchases, securities commission filings (Form 45-106 F1) with SEDAR
Minute book review and prepare necessary documents to bring minute books up to date
Time entry, drafting, reformatting and revising documents and correspondence
Opening, maintaining and closure of files
Maintaining calendar by planning and scheduling confidential and public meetings, conferences, teleconferences and travel
Creating PowerPoint presentations
Welcoming clients by greeting them, in person or by telephone; answering, directing inquiries, screening calls and taking messages
Invoicing clients, sending bills from myself directly; including, but not limited to
Submitting expense claims
Legal/Executive Assistant
Neuman Thompson
01.2014 - 03.2014
Litigation/Labour and Employment Law
Assistant to 2 partners to the firm
Producing information by transcribing, formatting, editing, copying, scanning, faxing and mailing
Conserving partners’ time by reading, researching and routing correspondence; drafting letters, memorandums and confidential documents; initiating telecommunications
Maintaining partners’ calendars by planning and scheduling confidential and public meetings, conferences, teleconferences and travel
Opening and closing files, physically and on computer system
Welcoming clients by greeting them, in person or by telephone; answering, directing inquiries, screening calls and taking messages
Invoicing multiple clients monthly
Maintaining client confidence and protect operations by keeping information confidential
Reorganization of filing system and maintaining filing; including, but not limited to
Use of multiple computer programs
Worked alongside attorneys, administrative assistants, and fellow legal assistants on complex cases and legal processes.
Prepared and drafted correspondence and legal forms to maintain smooth communications.
Scheduled appointments, court appearances, and depositions for busy law firm.
Managed accounts and client records of clients, observing confidentiality, and extreme discretion.
Responded to client inquiries to provide accurate legal advice and offer assistance.
Prepared and managed attorney travel itineraries to optimize scheduling.
Coordinated with court personnel and attorneys to determine scheduling of hearings and filing documents.
Handling confidential information professionally and consistent with legal and ethical policies
Volunteering in the document support specialist department for overtime and have throughout my career at Osler (corporate, energy, litigation, tax departments);
Travelled across country with 2 lawyers to set up a work station and work on high profile deal
Arranging events for clients, such as concert outings, dinner parties, etc
Audit requests; including, but not limited to
Acting Chair of the Social Committee
Legal Assistant
Talisman Energy
04.2005 - 08.2005
Reorganization of filing system
Preparing confidential legal documentation , including various types of legal agreements, memoranda, correspondence; including, but not limited to
Administrative duties
Legal Administrative Assistant
Rae and Company
04.2003 - 03.2005
Oil and Gas/Employment/Real Estate and Corporate Law
Screened phone calls to effectively handle less important inquiries and keep senior staff free for more important matters.
Prepared drafts of forms, letters and agreements for legal staff use.
Helped with intake of new clients and materials by setting up files and documenting important information.
Managed general clerical needs such as opening and closing files, scanning sheets and faxing documents.
Managed accounts and client records of clients, observing confidentiality, and extreme discretion.