Maria W. Testa-Haldorson

 

(815) 210-8229 / (815) 476-7473                                                                                             413 East Cross St.

Seeking Position As:

Paralegal/Customer Service Specialist

Legal Assistant, Paralegal, Customer Service Coordinator, or Customer Service Representative

 

Loyal, Motivated, and Outgoing Paralegal Professional has over 25 years of extensive experience as an Intern, Usage Accounting, Customer Service Coordinator, and Senior Paralegal, and possesses a strong background in Consumer Protection Division. Multifaceted professional is actively seeking a challenging role as a Legal Assistant, Paralegal, Customer Service Coordinator, or Customer Service Representative, ideally with a progressive company. Specializing in Real Estate Tax Assessment, this Results-Oriented candidate focuses on providing excellent customer service, with excellent problem solving skills and a proven record of success developing extraordinary teams to ensure superior service to clients.

Diligent leader is proficient in prioritizing and completing tasks in a timely manner, with the keen ability to multitask a variety of challenges and responsibilities using creativity and the knowledge gained from past experience. Resourceful and Versatile candidate thrives in demanding team environments, seeks out ways to continue training, easily adapts to fast-changing settings, and excels under pressure.  

 

÷ Extensive Real Estate Tax Assessment Skills              ÷ Interpersonal Communication Skills

÷ Detail-Intensive Analysis/Problem Solving              ÷ Sound Judgment & Attention to Details

Professional Experience

 

Schiller Klein PC, Senior Paralegal, Chicago, IL                                                                      Oct 1991 – Mar 2012

÷           Addressed any client queries and concerns timely and professionally, applied for property owners’ tax refunds, ordered and paid tax bills, and ordered redemption estimates.

÷           Exhibited proficiency in utilizing MS Excel spreadsheets in monitoring pending cases and maintaining complete databases of Industrial and Commercial clients for all taxing bodies.

÷           Assumed accountability for completing pleadings and real estate tax assessment complaints within Cook, Will, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Kendall counties’ taxing bodies.

÷           Prepared Cook County Specific Objection Court Cases, recorded and kept status in Excel, and completed all orders; updated filings statuses, pending Real Estate Tax Appeals and Court Cases.

÷           Built and cultivated relationships with key individuals involved in taxing bodies; assisted 5 attorneys and prepared all the necessary information and documents they needed.

÷           Displayed accuracy in researching industrial and commercial properties, Board of Tax Appeals, Recorder of Deeds, and County Assessor’s, Treasurer’s, and County Clerk’s Offices.

 

 

Other Work Experience

 

Alumax Mill Products, Cast House Data Entry Clerk, Morris, IL                                           Aug 1990 – Oct 1991

Grundy County State’s Attorney’s Office, Intern, Morris, IL                                                        Dec 1990 – June 1991

Applied Learning International, Customer Service Coordinator, Naperville, IL              Feb 1988 – Nov 1989

Illinois Attorney General’s Office, Consumer Protection Division, Springfield, IL              Summer 1985

Illinois Attorney General’s Office, Consumer Protection Division, Charleston, IL              Aug 1984 – Dec 1984

 

 

Education & Technical Skills

 

American Institute for Paralegal Studies, Oakbrook Terrace, IL, 1991

Paralegal Studies Program, Paralegal Certificate

 

Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL, 1985

Bachelor of Science in Consumer Affairs/Business Administration

 

Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word & Excel)

 

References Gladly Provided Upon Request