Margaret J. Fries

5309 Oak Center Drive 

Oak Lawn, IL 60453 

708-925-3927

mefries23@yahoo.com

________________________________________________________________________

 

PROFILE

 

-Detail/deadline orientated professional with excellent written and oral

  communication skills.

              -Energetic self-starter, organized, efficient, conscientious, reliable, quick study.

              -Independent thinker and problem solver yet also effective team player.

              -Able to manage multiple projects while maintaining quality in fast paced

              environment.

 

 

LEGAL EXPERIENCE

 

Feb 2012 to                             Real Estate Paralegal/Legal Assistant

Feb 2013                            Odelson & Sterk, Ltd., Evergreen Park, IL

 

Perform review and preparation of broad range of real estate documents including contracts, attorney modification and inspection letters. Served as liaison between clients, attorneys, agents, title insurance companies, surveyors, appraisers, and lenders. Review of Title Commitment, lien searches, survey and loan documents including finance figures. Performed execution of all closing documentation including FHA loan approval, warranty deeds, closing statements, exhibits and provide closing figures. Assembled and compiled documentation and briefs for residential and commercial property tax appeal process. Prepared ordinance and resolutions in support of multitude of municipal clients. Prepared briefs, motions, and notices for municipal litigation matters and maintained court calendar. Handled process of compiling all documentation necessary in election process including agenda, calls, decisions, motions and briefs.

 

             

 

Jan 2011 to                             Bankruptcy/Real Estate Paralegal

Feb 2012                            Querrey & Harrow, Ltd., Chicago, IL

 

Draft and review all documentation for incoming sale and purchase of residential and commercial real estate transactions. Managed correspondence between clients, agents, attorneys and loan officers for real estate transactions. Preparation and exchange closing documents and attend real estate closings. Draft pleadings, discovery, motions and supporting briefs in bankruptcy and civil litigation matters. Prepare and file consumer and corporate Bankruptcy petitions. Conduct legal research and prepare documents in areas of bankruptcy, mechanic’s liens, foreclosures, and evictions. Organize and maintain case files as well as court docket and calendar and client meetings. Review and reconcile collection matters and judgments and prepare citations and wage garnishment matters.

 

Feb 1997                        Senior Healthcare/Subrogation Paralegal

to Sept 2010                            Coghlan Kukankos, Chicago IL

                   

Successfully oversaw daily subrogation case load in excess of 850 files. Managed office hiring and training for all incoming paralegals as well as daily Office Management duties. Daily responsibilities include corresponding with attorneys, insurance companies and members in relation to issues surrounding personal injury accidents and health care payments. Managed high volume of phone and written correspondence. Maintained daily contact with clients and handled office duties involving ordering and maintenance.

 

EDUCATION

 

Aug 1995                        American Institute for Paralegal Studies

To Sep 1997                            Rosemont, IL

 

*Paralegal Certification, Certificate of Distinction Award

 

Aug 1990                            Illinois State University

To  May 1992                            Normal, IL

 

Seeking B.A. in Political Science and Paralegal Studies

GPA 3.4/4.0

 

Aug 1988                          Illinois Wesleyan University

To May 1989                            Bloomington, IL

 

 

COMPUTER SKILLS

BEST CASE Bankruptcy Software for Attorneys, CM ECF-US District Court and US       Bankruptcy Court, Westlaw, Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word, Outlook, WordPerfect, Hummingbird, TimeSlips, PowerPoint

 

OTHER EXPERIENCE

President Parent Teacher Association and School Council Board

Executive Officer, Suburban Baseball Organization

 

REFERENCES 

P. Joseph Montana, Esq.                                        Jane Ford

Odelson & Sterk, Ltd.                                            Ford Paralegal Services

630-935-3890                                                         303-775-9036

 

Matthew M. Welch, Esq.                                          Elizabeth Longo, Esq.

Odelson & Sterk, Ltd.                                                        Discovery Health Partners

312-636-5687                                                                      847-518-9895

 

John M. Brom, Esq.                                                        Kristen Thomas,

Querrey & Harrow                                                        Paralegal Manager, Coghlan Kukankos

312-296-2297                                                                      312-357-2319

 

Kevin Cunningham, Esq.                                          Brian LoVetere, Chief Operating Officer

Cunningham Law Offices                                          Carnow Conibear & Associates

708-359-8500                                                                      708-745-1599