As a bright ambitious person, I enjoy working in a fast-paced, highly motivating position where I can broaden the scope of my extensive legal and bankruptcy experience and fully utilize my organizational and problem solving skills.  I have the ability to identify objectives, establish priorities and achieve results under diverse and challenging conditions. I am a self-starter, an excellent communicator and I believe strongly that being a team player is the key to the success of any company.

2005-Present

FrankGecker LLP

Paralegal/Office Manager              Chicago, IL

In February, 2005 I assisted in the start-up of FrankGecker LLP, a boutique bankruptcy law firm.  I perform administrative duties including interviewing/hiring new employees; assist in travel arrangements and travel/expense reports; maintain calendar events for all attorneys; maintain office supplies/inventory; maintain contracts with all vendors and software companies; troubleshoot software and hardware problems; liaison with outsourced IT support; troubleshoot software issues; liaison with building management; maintain billing records; provide paralegal support for eight attorneys; coordinate quarterly Trust meetings for fifteen different trusts; draft motions, correspondence, court pleadings and discovery responses; maintain Trustee database, including preparation of all annual reports, final reports and final accounts; draft simple loan agreements; assist in trial preparation; electronically file documents with district and bankruptcy courts nationwide using CM/ECF Pacer; familiar with filing pleadings and motions in Circuit Court; assist in real estate closings and prepare closing statements, HUDs and other documents necessary for closings; draft fee applications, proofs of claim; internet research; BestCase; Pacer downloads; UCC Searches and administrator in Westlaw CaseLogistix and Case Notebook database.

Software Knowledge includes:  TCMS database, Microsoft Word 2010, Outlook 2010, PowerPoint 2010, Excel 2010, Worldox document management software, Sage Timeslips, CaseLogistix Database, Case Notebook Database, Summation.

2003-2005

Neal Gerber & Eisenberg LLP

Paralegal - Bankruptcy Department              Chicago, IL

§          Drafted various types of motions, fee applications, pleadings.

§          Performed preference analyses.

§          Maintained Trustee database.

2001-2003

Freeborn & Peters LLP             

Legal Secretary/Law Clerk/Paralegal               Chicago, IL

§          April, 2003 to October, 2003 – Secretary to General Counsel in Employment/Labor law, and two associates in litigation and Workers Compensation law.

§          All aspects of secretarial responsibilities including drafting of complaints, motions, discovery and briefs as well as filing and docketing of same.

§          Attorney time entry and expense reports.

§          Attorneys’ billing including revisions and processing of all firm bills to clients.

§          Responsible for scheduling of all meetings and depositions, drafting of abstracts and settlement documents. 

§          January 2001 to April 2003 – Law Clerk to 5 attorneys in Bankruptcy Department.

§          Drafted various types of motions, fee applications, pleadings, final reports, discovery and docketing of same.

§          Performed preference analayses.

§          Maintained Trustee database.

1999-2001

Greenberg Traurig             

Legal Secretary to Shareholders and Paralegal in Bankruptcy Dept.              Chicago, IL

§          Assisted with the opening of Greenberg Traurig’s Chicago branch office.

§          Responsible for scheduling of depositions, client meetings and attorney travel arrangements, including daily client contact.

§          Opened and closed client files, filing, organizing and maintaining files, copying, faxing, as well as special projects

§          Expense reports; attorney time entry; and preparation of all partner invoices to clients.

1994-1999

Hedlund Hanley & John

Legal Secretary to Partner and Two Associates               Chicago, IL

§          Responsible for coordinating, scheduling travel arrangements/hotel accomodations and activities for Annual Attorney/Paralegal Retreat in Aspen, Colorado for 15 attorneys and 6 paralegals.

§          Day-to-day responsibilities included drafting, revising and filing correspondence, various motions and trial preparation materials.

§          Maintained and organized numerous client files for both my assignment and as back-up to all 6 paralegals.

§          Responsible for scheduling of depositions and client meetings with daily client contact as well as all travel arrangements and hotel accomodations.

§          Expense reports; attorney time entry; and preparation of all partner invoices to clients.

1989-1994

Katten Muchn & Zavis

Legal Secretary to Partner/Associate/Paralegal/Overflow Coordinator              Chicago, IL

§          Day-to-day responsibilities included drafting, revising and filing correspondence, various motions and trial preparation materials.

§          Maintained and organized numerous client files.

§          Responsible for scheduling of depositions and client meetings with daily client contact as well as all travel arrangements and hotel accomodations.

§          Expense reports; attorney time entry; and preparation of all partner invoices to clients.

1979–1982              University of Illinois at Chicago Circle Campus              Chicago, IL

Mark Evans, Relationship Manager – 913-621-6540

Steven J. Thompson, Partner – 312-977-4396

Matthew Getter, U.S. Attorneys Office – 312-886-7651

Ted Chavez, IT Consultant – 312-399-9957

Pamela Sweeney, Human Resources Dept. – 312-540-4417