RESUME

Cathy Formigoni                            8005 Hunt Road

                            Springfield, Illinois  62712

                            cathy.formigoni@yahoo.com

                            (217) 502-4853

                                                                                                                                                                                                   

 

PARALEGAL/LEGAL ASSISTANT/EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

 

Twenty-five years of progressively responsible executive administrative support, legal assistant and paralegal experience, demonstrating outstanding organizational skills and attention to detail.  Equally strong qualifications in all areas of business/private practice and public service administration, including legal/legislative research and administrative rule promulgation and codification; policy collection, review and distribution; customer/client services; grant and contract review, approval, production, and distribution; process tracking and project management; and human resources, including timekeeping, supply procurement, and budgeting.  An effective communicator, leader, and problem-solver who builds teamwork and possesses the drive to succeed.

                                                                                                                                                                                                   

 

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

 

Quinn, Johnston, Henderson, Pretorius & Cerulo                                                                      2/11 to Present

Litigation and Counsel

400 South 9^th Street, Suite 102 

Springfield, Illinois 

 

Paralegal for a mid-sized law firm practicing all forms of law and specializing in medical insurance defense litigation.  Draft legal pleadings, in State and Federal courts, including, but not limited to, complaints, answers to interrogatories, motions, notices, memoranda of law, Freedom of Information Act Requests etc., during all phases of the legal support process, from complaint, through discovery, trial, and post-trial findings and appeals.   Review of Illinois statutes, local court rules, and Supreme Court rules, and ensure compliance with the same.  Draft and finalize documents for filing in proceedings covered by the Illinois Worker’s Compensation Law.  Prepare witness and matter materials, including organization of interview memoranda, digests, and other relevant documents for attorney review.  Prepare and organize documents, coordinate document production, including Bates-stamping and indexing of files for attorney use at depositions; review and summarize deposition transcripts and medical records.  Work closely with state and federal agencies, including the Illinois Worker’s Compensation Commission to effectuate compliance with state regulations.  Research legal and regulatory issues using West Law and PACER; prepare matters for electronic case filing using CM/ECF.

 

National Paralegal Network                                                                                                                2/11 to 3/12

www.nationalparalegalnetwork.com

 

Covering a 50-mile service area, on an as-needed basis, receive assignments from national debt counselors, print and review Retainer Agreement and Terms and Conditions of LegalHelpers Debt Resolution programs for consumers wishing to participate in a debt negotiation program.  Print relevant documents, travel to client location to obtain all required signatures, certify compliance with program rules, scan and upload signed client files to LegalHelpers Debt Resolution.

 

Hodge Dwyer & Driver                                                                                                                10/06 to 2/11

(Specializing in Environmental Law)

Attorneys at Law

3150 Roland Avenue 

Springfield, Illinois 

 

Provide paralegal and legal assistant services to Senior Partner and Of Counsel.  Draft legal pleadings, in State and Federal courts, including, but not limited to, complaints, answers to interrogatories, motions, notices, memoranda of law, Freedom of Information Act Requests etc., during all phases of the legal support process, from complaint, through discovery, trial, and post-trial findings and appeals.   Review of Illinois statutes, local court rules, and Supreme Court rules, and ensure compliance with the same.  Areas of practice include environmental civil litigation, insurance litigation, and personal injury/negligence litigation.  Draft and finalize documents for filing in proceedings covered by the Illinois Administrative Review Law.  Prepare witness and matter materials, including organization of interview memoranda, digests, and other relevant documents for attorney review.  Prepare and organize documents, coordinate document production, including Bates-stamping and indexing of files for attorney use at depositions; review and summarize deposition transcripts.  Work closely with state and federal agencies, including the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and Illinois State Fire Marshal to effectuate client regulatory and permitting compliance with state and federal environmental regulations.  Research legal and regulatory issues using LexisNexis Research and LexisNexis Total Litigator, and PACER; prepare matters for electronic case filing using LexisNexis File & Serve and CM/ECF.

 

Illinois Department of Human Services                                                                                    1986 - 2006

Office of Legal Services

Springfield, Illinois 

 

Consistent advancement through progressively responsible positions in the Office of Legal Services for the largest Illinois state agency, as:

 

Senior Rules Analyst, Office of Legal Services:  Reviewed Illinois legislation and promulgated Illinois Administrative Code as it related Illinois statute and the programs administered by the Illinois Department of Human Services.  Reviewed Illinois Compiled Statutes to ensure compliance and statutory authority in the promulgation and codification of the Illinois Administrative Code.  Coordinated, tracked, and managed administrative rulemaking activity in accordance with the provisions of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act.  Communicated with and built professional working relationships with the staff of the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules of the Illinois General Assembly and the Illinois Secretary of State.  Prepared for print and publication in the Illinois Register of all materials related to the promulgation process of the Code.

 

Administrative Assistant, Office of Legal Services:  Organized and monitored the policy development process for the Illinois Department of Human Services.  Evaluated proposed policy changes to ensure compliance with regulations; recommended and drafted changes as necessary.  Ensured timely and effective distribution and implementation of agency policy.  Managed workflow within Office of Legal Services to ensure timely and accurate policy and administrative rule development.  Acted as personnel liaison with Human Resources staff with responsibility for matters related to personnel evaluations, compensation, and timekeeping.

 

Administrative Assistant-Appeals Coordinator, Office of Legal Services:  Coordinated the Level II Fair Hearings and Appeals process for the Vocational Rehabilitation component of the Illinois Department of Human Services.  Ensured representation at hearings through assignment of agency legal staff.  Coordinated and worked with clients and client advocates during the appeals process.  Scheduled, docketed, and tracked status of all hearings with responsibility for ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations.  Prepared and distributed annual Request for Proposal (RFP) for independent, impartial hearing officers and administrative law judges.  Coordinated and scheduled annual impartial hearing officer training.  Drafted, prepared, and distributed all correspondence related to the appeals process.

 

 

 

 

Executive Assistant, Grants & Contracts:  Assisted in the development of agency contracts and federal grants.  Compiled statistical data and conducted research in the preparation of federal grant reporting mechanisms.  Tracked contract and grant awards from proposal to finalization to ensure efficient contract development and timely disbursement of contract and grant monies.  Responded to both oral and written communications, researched grant and contract files in response to such communications, and prepared written responses on behalf of management.  Opened and routed mail as appropriate.  Managed schedule of office administrator.

 

Executive Assistant, Division of Strategic Planning:  Assisted in the development of the agency’s Strategic Plan and planning process.  Facilitated statewide focus group meetings.  Compiled meeting data for use in the strategic planning process.  Managed workflow within office and managed schedule of the office administrator.  Acted as team leader with supervisory responsibilities over other support staff.

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                   

 

CAREER HISTORY

 

Quinn Johnston Henderson Pretorius & Cerulo – 2011 to Present

National Paralegal Network – 2011 to Present

Hodge Dwyer & Driver Attorneys at Law – 2006 to 2011

Independent Self-Employed Contractor – 2004 to 2006

Illinois Department of Human Services – 1984 to 2004

Illinois Environmental Protection Agency – 1983 to 1984

                                                                                                                                                                                                   

 

EDUCATION

 

Blackstone Career Institute, Paralegal Studies, 2009-2010

Illinois Association of Realtors, Real Estate Sales, 1997; Licensed 1997-1998

Lincoln Land Community College, 1985-1992

Springfield Southeast High School, 1984

                                                                                                                                                                                                   

 

MEMBERSHIPS

 

American Alliance of Paralegals, Inc.

National Association of Professional Women, Woman of the Year 2012-2013

Illinois Association of Realtors (inactive)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

REFERENCES

 

1.              LaDonna Driver

              Senior Partner

              Hodge Dwyer Driver

              3150 S. Roland Ave.

              Springfield, IL 62703

              (217) 523-4900

              ldriver@hddattorneys.com

 

2.              Jennifer Martin

              Partner
              Hodge Dwyer Driver

              3150 S. Roland Ave.

              Springfield, IL 62703

              (217) 523-4900

              jmartin@hddattorneys.com

 

3.              Luann Baker

              Administrative Rules Analyst

              Illinois Department of Human Services

              Office of Legal Services

              100 South Grand Avenue East

              Springfield, IL 62762
              (217) 557-8757 (direct line)

 

4.              Susan Weir (Retired)

              Senior Administrative Rules Analyst

              Illinois Department of Human Services

              Office of Legal Services

              100 South Grand Avenue East

              Springfield, IL 62762

              (217) 487-7179 (home phone)

 

 

 

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