STEPHANIE WINSTON

253 Krotiak Rd., Park Forest, IL  60466

(312) 317-8667

stephy4041@yahoo.com

www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniewinston/

 

QUALIFICATIONS

 

Practice Areas:              Tort Law:  Insurance defense motor vehicle, trucking, medical malpractice, long term care, product liability, subrogation auto, insurance coverage defense and plaintiff’s personal injury and medical malpractice.

              Toxic Tort:  Asbestos, Phen Phen

              Family Law, Criminal Law, Juvenile Law

 

Personal Attributes:              Strong working knowledge of areas of specialization including litigation defense, coverage, and policy interpretation; Excellent written and verbal communication skills including the ability to convey information in a clear, concise and effective manner; Excellent organizational skills including the ability to prioritize and coordinate multiple tasks; Strong computer skills including legal research tools and business related software.
 

Computer Skills:              Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, Publisher, Outlook, Internet Explorer, Word Perfect, PowerPoint, Docs Open, Net Docs, Lotus Notes, Elite, Time Matters, Time Slips; AWD, BICP, SHARP, ISRA, Sharepoint, Lexis, Google Scholar, Summation, e-filing state and federal court, Google Scholar

 

Notary Public:                            Commission Expires March 31, 2016

 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

 

June 2014 –                             Law Office of D. Renee Jackson                                                        Chicago, IL

November 2014Paralegal (Part time contract role)

·               Assist attorney with case investigation

·               Review medical records and prepare summary

·               Perform legal research

·               Communicate with expert witnesses

·               Assist attorney at pretrial conference

·               Prepare trial binder

·               Assist attorney in preparation for, and during trial 

·               Draft various pleadings and correspondence

·               Coordinate with court reporters to obtain transcripts of hearings

·               Gather information and documentation from clients, analyze and abstract / summarize as needed

·               Draft interrogatories and request to produce

·               E-file pleadings with Cook County Clerk of Court

 

October 2011 -               Bankers Life and Casualty Insurance Co.                                          Chicago, IL

May 2014Paralegal

·               Review and analyze Long Term Care Insurance Policies

·               Review and analyze claim materials and prepare business memo for review by corporate legal department for each claim related lawsuit

·               Collaborates with attorneys (internal and external)

·               Monitor Legal Hold claims handling to assure proper handling

·               Process legal settlements 

·               Gather and analyze state statues regarding health claims and claims processing

·               Assist in the answering interrogatories

·               Review and analyze claim files and respond to attorneys (internal and external) inquiries

·               Research files and respond to Policyholder complaints, attorney inquires and Department of Insurance Inquiries

·               Participate in Claim Review to assist in managing the risk of denied claims

·               Spot check compliance with federal, state and local regulations

·               Employee of the month October 2012

 

March 2010-                            McDermott & Krupa                                                                                    Matteson, IL

February 2011Family Law Paralegal (Part time contract role)

·                                                                                                                              Participate in initial intake interviews with client

·                                                                                                                              Draft petitions and motions

·                                                                                                                              Answer/respond to petitions

·                                                                                                                              Draft interrogatories and requests to produce

·                                                                                                                              Work with client to answer and respond to interrogatories and requests to produce

·                                                                                                                              Draft Subpoenas for documents and testimony

·                                                                                                                              Meet and work with client regarding terms for finalization of Dissolution

·                                                                                                                              Draft Judgments, Marital Settlement Agreements and Joint Parenting Agreements

·                                                                                                                              Maintain firm calendar

 

Sept 2003 -                            Boundas Skarzynski Walsh & Black, LLP                                          Chicago, IL

March 2010                            Insurance Coverage Paralegal

·                                                                                                                              Monitor and analyze coverage in underlying claims

·                                                                                                                              Draft status and closing reports to client

·                                                                                                                              Communicate and interact with counsel for Insured

·                                                                                                                              Assist attorneys with reservation of rights letters

·                                                                                                                              Review and redact claim files for privileged information

·                                                                                                                              Prepare privilege logs

·                                                                                                                              Attend claim file reviews

·                                                                                                                              Maintain and complete monthly and quarterly bordereau reports

·                                                                                                                              Maintain excel spreadsheets for defense fees and costs

·                                                                                                                              Correspond with insurer and insured regarding defense fees and expenses

·                                                                                                                              Assist in mediation preparation

·                                                                                                                              E-file Federal Court pleadings and hand file State and Appellate Court pleadings.

·                                                                                                                              Assist in the drafting of policies

·                                                                                                                              Assist coordinate and organize policy filings to the various states

 

Jan 2002 -                             Meachum, Spahr, Cozzi Postel & Earl                                           Chicago, IL

Sept 2003                            Subrogation Paralegal

·                                                                                                                              Draft complaints and motions

·                                                                                                                              Attend and appear on routine motion calls

·                                                                                                                              Spindle motions with Cook County Clerk’s office

·                                                                                                                              File various pleadings with Cook County Clerk’s office

·                                                                                                                              Draft and respond to discovery

·                                                                                                                              Work with outsource investigators to locate parties

·                                                                                                                              Communicate and interact with claims representatives and clients daily

·                                                                                                                              Assist attorney in trial preparation

·                                                                                                                              Organize and maintain court docket for approximately 200 cases

·                                                                                                                              Review and respond to subpoenas for insurance claim files

·                                                                                                                              Recipient of “Spotlight on Success” award from Wausau Central Recovery Claim Unit

 

Sept 2001 -                             Burke, Costanza & Cuppy, LLP                                                         Merrillville, IN

Jan 2002                            Litigation Paralegal

·                                                                                                                              Participate in initial intake interviews with client and execute intake paperwork

·                                                                                                                              Obtain, review, and analyze factual case information and medical records

·                                                                                                                              Organize files and prepare medical chronologies

·                                                                                                                              Locate and investigate physician information for purpose of assembling medical malpractice review panels

·                                                                                                                              Coordinate and schedule medical review panels

·                                                                                                                              Draft and respond to interrogatories and production request

·                                                                                                                              Review, organize and index discovery response documents

·                                                                                                                              Prepare witnesses and clients for depositions

·                                                                                                                              Review and assemble documents to be used at deposition

·                                                                                                                              Work with outside vendors, investigators

·                                                                                                                              Locate and interview witnesses

·                                                                                                                              Draft correspondence and maintain case files

 

January 1996-              Beckman, Kelly & Smith                                                                       Hammond, IN

August 2001                            Litigation Paralegal

·                                                                                                                              Participate in initial intake interviews with client

·                                                                                                                              Examine and investigate premises, locations and objects and photograph same for use at mediation and/or trial

·                                                                                                                              Trial prep and trial support

·                                                                                                                              Obtain, review, and analyze factual information

·                                                                                                                              Draft and respond to interrogatories and production request

·                                                                                                                              Review, analyze, and index discovery documents

·                                                                                                                              Prepare witnesses and clients for depositions

·                                                                                                                              Assist attorneys in the preparation of and at depositions, including observations and reactions of those present

·                                                                                                                              Locate and work with fact and expert witnesses

·                                                                                                                              Obtain, review and analyze medical records

·                                                                                                                              Work with outside vendors, investigators

·                                                                                                                              Locate and interview witnesses

·                                                                                                                              Organize and mark trial exhibits

·                                                                                                                              Attend and assist attorneys at mediation conferences and trial

·                                                                                                                              Coordinate and schedule court ordered mediations for firm mediators

·                                                                                                                              Coordinate and schedule Medical Review Panels for Medical Malpractice Litigation

 

EDUCATION

 

1992              Roosevelt University, Chicago, IL.

Lawyer Assistance Program Certificate, ABA Approved Graduate Level Program

                            General Curriculum, Graduate Level Certificate with Honors

                            Course work included:

Estates, Trust and Wills, Ethics, Business Organization, Real Estate, Legal Research, Bankruptcy, Family Law, and Intellectual Property

1990              Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL

                            Bachelor of Arts

                            Major:  Sociology

 

REFERENCES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST