Mary-Jean (MJ) Uszy
Calgary,Canada
Summary
Conscientious and self-motivated legal administrative professional with excellent communication, leadership, mentorship, interpersonal, and creative thinking skills.
Skilled professional ready to excel in leadership role with focus on results-driven performance. Proven ability to streamline operations and foster team collaboration to achieve organizational goals. Known for reliability and adaptability in meeting changing demands while maintaining high standards.
Overview
34
34
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Supervisor – Documentation (Procedure Control)
Court of King’s Bench, Government of Alberta
01.2024 - Current
- Supervisor of Procedure Control team - King’s Bench of Alberta
- Managing and supervising team workload and workflow
- Interviewing, training, cross-training, and mentoring team members
- Oversee team and department and provide management with team updates
- Create and implement department policies and procedures
- Attendance at team and departmental meetings
- Approving time and leave requests for team members
- Expert in MS Office applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)
- Contributing to an environment that promotes growth and equality
- Oversaw daily court operations, ensuring compliance with legal procedures and protocols.
- Managed staff schedules, optimizing resource allocation for case management efficiency.
- Developed training programs for new employees, enhancing team performance and cohesion.
- Conducted performance evaluations, providing constructive feedback to foster professional growth among staff.
- Implemented process improvements that streamlined workflow and reduced case processing times.
- Led initiatives aimed at improving service delivery and enhancing the public's access to judicial information.
- Improved customer satisfaction with timely response to inquiries, addressing concerns, and finding effective solutions.
- Oversaw daily operations of the department, ensuring smooth workflow and timely completion of tasks.
- Collaborated with other departments to achieve organizational goals, fostering teamwork across various functions.
- Boosted team morale and performance, organizing regular training sessions and motivational meetings.
- Achieved significant improvements in operational efficiency, introducing and enforcing quality control measures.
Online Transcriptionist
SpeakWrite
08.2023 - Current
- Casual, online legal transcriptionist for U.S.-based transcription service.
- Transcribed audio files with high accuracy and attention to detail.
- Utilized specialized transcription software to enhance workflow efficiency.
- Reviewed and edited transcripts for consistency and adherence to guidelines.
Instructor
Bow Valley College
12.2017 - Current
- Instructor in Legal Assistant Diploma, Administrative Professional, and Medical Office Assistant programs at the Chiu School of Business, specializing in legal document processing, legal transcription, and MS Office applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)
- Training and mentoring students and instructors
- Regular review of curriculum and teaching materials
- Research and development
- Attend committee, departmental, and faculty meetings
- Contributing to an environment that promotes growth and equality
- Developed and implemented engaging curriculum to enhance student learning experiences.
- Assessed student performance through strategic evaluations and provided constructive feedback.
- Collaborated with faculty to align course objectives with institutional goals and standards.
- Leveraged educational technology tools to enhance instructional delivery and student engagement.
- Conducted research on educational trends to inform curriculum development and instructional strategies.
- Promoted a positive learning environment by establishing clear expectations and maintaining consistent classroom management techniques.
- Boosted student performance by providing individualized support and targeted feedback.
- Tested and evaluated students on materials presented in workshops and classes.
- Optimized day-to-day instruction to align educational strategies with industry best practices.
- Assisted in curriculum development, ensuring alignment with state standards and best practices for effective instruction.
- Mentored new teachers, sharing valuable insights and strategies for classroom success.
- Developed comprehensive lesson plans to facilitate understanding of complex subjects.
- Helped students explore concepts with engaging, learning-focused activities.
- Created and developed lesson plans to meet students' academic needs.
- Created lessons and online testing materials to facilitate remote learning.
Private Music Instructor
MJDiva’s Music Studio
01.2005 - Current
- Private music instructor in voice, piano, guitar, theory, and songwriting to all ages and all levels.
- Developed personalized lesson plans tailored to individual student needs and learning styles.
- Facilitated engaging music theory discussions to enhance student comprehension and retention.
- Organized student recitals to showcase talent and foster community engagement through music events.
- Enhanced curriculum by integrating diverse musical genres and contemporary teaching methods into lessons.
- Explained music theory, aural skills and fundamental concepts to teach students to understand, analyze, perform and create music.
- Prepared students for auditions for institutions by aiding with music selection, assigning practice hours required for mastery of piece and assessing progress and accuracy in playing.
- Created encouraging, fun and focused lesson atmosphere.
- Established and maintained network of music contacts to promote work continuity.
- Inspired a passion for music appreciation with insightful discussions about composers, historical contexts, or cultural influences behind selected pieces.
- Promoted lifelong learning habits by instilling discipline, time management skills, and dedication to regular practice sessions.
- Boosted student confidence in live performances by organizing recitals and offering constructive feedback on stage presence techniques.
Community Theatre Instructor
Various Theatre Programs
07.2003 - Current
- Create and instruct youth theatre programs in community and in-school residencies, including the Calgary Public Library, the Alexandra Centre, and the Inglewood Community Association.
- Designed and implemented engaging lesson plans to enhance student performance in theatrical arts.
- Mentored aspiring actors, providing constructive feedback to improve performance techniques and stage presence.
- Cultivated a strong passion for theatre arts in students by implementing engaging and relevant lesson plans.
- Facilitated rehearsals with professionalism and enthusiasm, maintaining a positive atmosphere conducive to growth and learning.
- Promoted an inclusive and diverse learning environment, ensuring all students felt welcomed and valued within the theatre community.
- Implemented effective classroom management techniques to provide safe, calm learning environment.
- Planned lessons to reflect group and individual student needs utilizing creative instruction.
- Exposed students to diverse content to build perspective in drama pedagogy.
- Fostered love for art and learning to inspire students to pursue passions and interests.
Executive Legal Assistant
Gowling WLG
05.2014 - 05.2017
- Executive legal assistant to senior partner
- Extensive experience in medical litigation (CPSA and CMPA)
- Extensive experience contacting clients and managing confidential data
- Extensive experience in legal office policies and procedures and client file management
- Expert in MS Office applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Adobe .pdf
- Expert in legal transcription
- Expert in legal document processing
- Extensive experience in court policies and procedures
- Training and mentoring staff in department policies and procedures
- Drafted and reviewed legal documents, enhancing accuracy and compliance with regulatory standards.
- Maintained strict confidentiality in handling sensitive client information, adhering to professional ethics guidelines.
- Increased attorney productivity by expertly managing heavy caseloads and prioritizing tasks based on urgency.
- Streamlined office operations for increased efficiency by implementing new document management systems.
- Reduced case processing time with thorough research and timely preparation of legal documents.
- Completed data entry of legal documents into electronic filing systems.
- Transcribed information from typed or handwritten notes, shorthand or dictation and confirmed accuracy and correct formatting of documents.
- Prioritized and handled multiple assignments and maintained firm commitment to deadlines.
Executive Legal Assistant
JSS Barristers
01.2013 - 05.2014
- Legal assistant to firm partner(s)
- Experience in numerous areas of law, including corporate, personal injury, wills and estates, immigration, and insurance law
- Expert in MS Office applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, legal accounting software (PCLaw), and Adobe .pdf
- Experience in legal office policies and procedures and client file management
- Extensive experience in court policies and procedures
- Extensive experience in legal transcription
- Expert in legal document processing
- Composed contracts, pleadings and motions in accordance with established guidelines.
- Assisted with preparation of trial materials and documents.
- Diligently edited legal correspondence for grammar and spelling.
Contract Legal Assistant
Liz Smith & Associates/Ascentcia
01.2005 - 01.2013
- Executive legal assistant to various legal professionals in numerous mid to large-size legal departments and law firms
- Extensive experience in many areas of law, including family, personal injury, intellectual property, corporate, real estate, wills and estates, and criminal
- Experience in MS Office applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, legal accounting software (EsiLaw, PCLaw), and video applications
- Expert in legal transcription, including transcriptions in both English and French
- Experience legal document processing
- Experience in legal office procedures
- Scheduling meetings
- Maintenance of client files
General Manager/Arts Administrator
Green Fools Theatre Society
12.2003 - 01.2004
- General Manager (maternity-leave position)
- Prepare and edit annual Provincial and Federal grant applications
- Coordinate provincial and federal programming
- Consult with board of directors and volunteers
- Research, update, and amend society bylaws, policies, and procedures
- Contract negotiation and administration
- Oversaw operational budgets, ensuring resource allocation aligned with project demands and company objectives.
- Assisted in organizing and overseeing assignments to drive operational excellence.
- Contributed to creative process through original ideas and inspiration.
- Served as a liaison between the arts organization and its board of directors by providing regular updates on operations, financials, programs, successes, challenges faced by the organization.
- Streamlined administrative processes for increased efficiency and improved service to artists, staff, and patrons.
Executive Legal Assistant
Bennett Jones LLP
04.1999 - 05.2002
- Executive legal assistant to senior partner
- Extensive litigation experience, including employment law, contract law, and wills and estates
- Experience in medical litigation (CPSA and CMPA)
- Experience managing confidential legal documents and data
- Experience in legal office policies and procedures and client file management
- Expert in MS Office applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
- Extensive experience in legal transcription
- Experience legal document processing
- Train and mentor staff in department policies and procedure
- President, Employee Liaison Committee (2000 – 2002)
Legal Assistant/Office Manager
Moreau, Ogle, & Hursh
03.1992 - 03.1999
- Receptionist responsibilities, including answering telephones, contacting clients, scheduling meetings
- Legal assistant for labour arbitrator and other lawyers in the firm, in various areas of law, including corporate, criminal employment, family, and personal injury.
- Office manager duties, including supply and services management, hiring employees, payroll, and employee management
- Daily and monthly legal accounting responsibilities using computer accounting application (PCLaw)
- Experience legal document processing, legal office procedures, and client file management
- Experience in legal transcription, including transcription in both English and French
- Train and mentor staff in firm policies and procedures
Education
Legal Assistant Certificate -
SAIT
Calgary, Alberta04.1995
Bachelor of Arts - Maj. English, Min. Music
University of Calgary
Calgary, Alberta04.1991
Business Careers Certificate -
Alberta Vocational Centre (Bow Valley College)
Calgary, Alberta01.1988
Bachelor of Music - Maj. Vocal Performance/Keyboard
University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta04.1985
Skills
- Ability to Multitask
- Employee training and mentorship
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Excellent grammar, spelling, punctuation, proofreading, and editing skills
- Extensive experience in legal policies and procedures
- Extensive experience in Court processes and procedures
- Expert in legal transcription
- Expert in MS Office Applications
- Self-motivated
- Team leadership
- Time management
- Training and mentoring
- Goal oriented
- Staff management
- Customer service
- Staff development
- Team building
- Processes and procedures
- Process monitoring and improvement
- Business administration
- Verbal and written communication
- Coaching and mentoring
- Policy and procedure development
- Documentation and reporting
- Workflow management
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Multitasking
- Excellent communication
- Interpersonal skills
- Professionalism
- Self motivation
- Organizational development
Certification
- Information Management - Managing Information in Communication Tools, Government of Alberta, 10/04/2025
- Information Management - Data and Information Security Classification, Government of Alberta, 10/04/2025
- The Path - Your Journey Through Indigenous Canada, 25/06/2025
- Opening Minds, Mental Health Commission of Canada, 24/06/2025
- Family Violence Police Training, Government of Alberta, 30/10/24
- Institute for Course Design, 05/01/22, Bow Valley College
- Instructional Skills Workshop, 12/01/18, Bow Valley College
- Legal Assistant Certificate, 01/01/95, SAIT
- Business Careers Certificate, 01/01/88, AVC
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
French (read/write)
Elementary
Timeline
Supervisor – Documentation (Procedure Control)
Court of King’s Bench, Government of Alberta
01.2024 - Current
Online Transcriptionist
SpeakWrite
08.2023 - Current
Instructor
Bow Valley College
12.2017 - Current
Executive Legal Assistant
Gowling WLG
05.2014 - 05.2017
Executive Legal Assistant
JSS Barristers
01.2013 - 05.2014
Private Music Instructor
MJDiva’s Music Studio
01.2005 - Current
Contract Legal Assistant
Liz Smith & Associates/Ascentcia
01.2005 - 01.2013
General Manager/Arts Administrator
Green Fools Theatre Society
12.2003 - 01.2004
Community Theatre Instructor
Various Theatre Programs
07.2003 - Current
Executive Legal Assistant
Bennett Jones LLP
04.1999 - 05.2002
Legal Assistant/Office Manager
Moreau, Ogle, & Hursh
03.1992 - 03.1999
Bachelor of Arts - Maj. English, Min. Music
University of Calgary
Business Careers Certificate -
Alberta Vocational Centre (Bow Valley College)
Bachelor of Music - Maj. Vocal Performance/Keyboard
University of Alberta
Legal Assistant Certificate -
SAIT