Melissa Salazar
Toronto,ON
Summary
A foreign-trained lawyer with over 15 years of experience keen to apply internationally-gained legal client focus knowledge, experience, communication and administrative skills within the multicultural context of Canadian courts
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Court Reporter
Ministry of the Attorney General (MAG)
02.2024 - Current
- Creation of court records.
- Annotation of court procedures.
- Respond to request during court sessions.
- Judicial reporting.
- Organization of files for easy retrieval upon request.
- Attend courtroom hearings, proceedings, and other events.
- Filing documents.
Lawyer
Concilium Abogados Law Firm
07.2015 - 07.2023
- Lawyer practicing administrative, labor and family law in Ecuador in support of national and international clients
- Conducted research on relevant laws, regulations and court decisions.
- Reviewed and drafted legal documents, such as contracts and wills.
- Counseled clients on various matters related to their legal rights and obligations.
- Explained technical aspects of legal matters in an understandable manner to non-lawyers.
- Regularly updated clients on progress made towards resolution of their cases.
- Analyzed complex legal issues and provided advice to clients.
- Developed strategies to resolve complicated legal issues for clients.
- Interviewed clients and witnesses to acquire additional insight into case details.
Legal Assistant
Technical Secretariat for Inclusive Management
07.2014 - 06.2015
- Drafting of legal briefs, legal criteria, agreements, administrative resolutions, award resolutions, contracts, reports, memos, official letters
- Legal assistance in cases of rights violations of persons with disabilities, for both nationals and foreign citizens
- Provided customer service support working directly with vulnerable population
- Interviewing persons with disabilities to respond to their needs
- Use of Procedure and Document Management System
Administrative Assistant
Attorney General's Office
10.2012 - 09.2013
- Administrative support for internal and external stakeholders related to Public Service Law
- Preparation of agendas, memos, notices and agreements
- Handling, custody and certification of files and documents
- Developed and maintained filing systems for confidential documents and records.
- Managed incoming calls while providing information or transferring callers to appropriate personnel.
- Facilitated communication between different departments within the organization.
- Provided administrative support to the executive team, including scheduling meetings and managing calendars.
- Conducted research on various topics as requested by management.
- Entered data into spreadsheets using Microsoft Excel or other similar programs.
- Managed database systems containing customer contact information.
- Directed customer inquiries to appropriate department personnel.
- Developed and implemented filing systems, both digital and physical, improving document organization and retrieval efficiency.
- Pleasantly welcomed visitors, answered phone calls, and maintained front reception desk.
- Organized files, developed spreadsheets, faxed reports and scanned documents, maintaining front desk and reception area in neat and organized fashion.
- Coordinated travel arrangements and completed expense reports for travel reimbursement.
- Responded to customer issues to provide immediate resolution and improve retention.
Legal Assistant and Secretary
LEX Foundation
10.2008 - 11.2012
- Legal assistance to low-income individuals in areas such as: childhood and adolescence, domestic violence, divorces, alimony trials, suspension of parental rights
- Office administration, file and database management
- Proofread drafts of legal documents for accuracy in grammar and punctuation.
- Conducted interviews with potential witnesses to obtain statements relevant to pending cases.
- Generated reports summarizing case progress for internal use.
- Ensured that all paperwork was properly filed according to established procedures.
- Provided administrative support to attorneys by managing calendars; scheduling appointments; organizing files; preparing correspondence; filing court documents; and obtaining necessary signatures.
- Compiled financial records related to specific cases.
- Reviewed and prepared legal documents, such as contracts, pleadings, motions, briefs, memoranda of law and discovery requests.
- Performed basic bookkeeping duties including tracking payments received from clients.
- Maintained client confidentiality in all matters.
- Answered phones promptly while providing courteous customer service.
- Participated in client interviews, observed questioning process and documented information.
- Provided administrative support and conducted research to assist attorneys in civil litigation preparation.
- Handled telephone calls, meeting plans and conference organization requirements.
Education
Law Degree / Lawyer of the Courts and Tribunals of the Republic of Ecuador -
Universidad Central de Ecuador
Quito, EcuadorSkills
- Delivers exceptional customer service
- Organization and preparation of legal reports and other documents
- Bilingual fluency (Spanish and English)
- Strong interpersonal/intercultural skills
- Effective synthesis and communication of information
- Proficiency with legal document management systems
- Proficiency with relevant computer software
- Proficiency with courtroom technology
- Courtroom and legal procedures
- Active listener
- Call Center Customer Service
- Microsoft Office and Outlook proficiency
- Reliability and Adaptability
- Team working
References
References from past clients and employers are available upon request.
Certification
- Certified Ecuadorian Mediator
Languages
English
Full Professional
Spanish
Native/ Bilingual
Timeline
Court Reporter
Ministry of the Attorney General (MAG)
02.2024 - Current
Lawyer
Concilium Abogados Law Firm
07.2015 - 07.2023
Legal Assistant
Technical Secretariat for Inclusive Management
07.2014 - 06.2015
Administrative Assistant
Attorney General's Office
10.2012 - 09.2013
Legal Assistant and Secretary
LEX Foundation
10.2008 - 11.2012
Law Degree / Lawyer of the Courts and Tribunals of the Republic of Ecuador -
Universidad Central de Ecuador
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