7449 W. Washington St., Unit 506, Forest Park, IL. 60130·(708) 366-0879·melba506@outlook.com

Melba Andrews

Objective: To obtain a position that allows me to use my strong organization and communication skills to make a positive contribution to an organization or business.

Experience

5/13 - Present

Gresham Probate Estate

Homewood, Illinois

Paralegal/Administrative Assistant (Part-Time)

§         Provides paralegal and administrative support to Personal Representative of an estate.

§         Conducts legal research on probate law, wills, and real estate.

§         Maintains and updates estate budget and conducts asset searches. 

§         Manages sale/disposal of personal property.

§         Drafts letters to probate court and interested parties of estate. 

§         Acts as a liaison between Personal Representative and other interested parties. 

§         Makes inquires to probate court on behalf of estate. 

§         Completes probate forms, prepares mailings and tracks expenses.

7/12 -7/13

Leap Career

Chicago, Illinois

Human Resources Assistant (Part-Time)

§         Performed administrative duties for Employment Recruiters.

§         Prepared reports, presentations and miscellaneous correspondence.

§         Maintained calendars and scheduled interviews and appointments.

§         Maintained client database and applicants files.

§         Coordinated travel arrangements. 

§         Answered phones and directed calls.

2/10 – 4/11

Eagle Recovery Systems

Chicago, Illinois

Administrative Assistant

§         Prepared correspondence and monthly reports.

§         Maintained client files.

§         Responded promptly to phone inquiries.

§         Performed other administrative duties as assigned.

8/05 – 11/09

J.P. Morgan Chase Bank

Chicago, Illinois

Immigration Paralegal

§         Prepared and filed H-1B nonimmigrant visa petitions with US Citizenship & Immigration Services.

§         Responded to inquiries from Foreign Nationals and Human Resource Managers regarding immigration issues and hiring policies.

§         Prepared and submitted employee status reports to Human Resource Managers. 

§         Prepared miscellaneous correspondence.

§         Trained temporary staff as needed.

§         Managed databases and physical files; opened and closed case files.

§         Prepared and submitted check requests for payment of H-1B filing fees.

§         Performed general office duties as assigned.

8/04 – 2/05

Mary L. Sfasciotti, P.C. (Immigration Law)

     Chicago, Illinois

Legal Assistant/Secretary

§         Assisted with preparation and filing of legal briefs, petitions, complaints and summons.

§         Gathered personal information and documents required to file petitions with US Citizenship & Immigration Services. 

§         Prepared immigrant petitions forms, initiated FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) requests, drafted correspondence, and submitted requests for criminal records. 

§         Created an office procedure manual.

§         Received legal fees from clients and maintained billing records.

§         Calculated docket deadlines and prepared client time sheets.

§         Opened new cases and managed filing system. 

§         Maintained inventory of office supplies and placed orders for supplies when needed.

§         Performed general office duties as assigned.

7/99 –10/03

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, P.C.

Chicago, Illinois

Legal Secretary/Team Support Specialist

§         Assembled Immigrant and Nonimmigrant visa petitions for government filings.

§         Contacted government agencies to obtain status on pending visa petitions.

§         Communicated with Foreign Nationals to provide updated information on their case.

§         Assisted attorneys in tracking assignment schedules.

§         Created status reports for presentation to clients.

§         Supported case workers in all case management tasks.

§         Utilized Lotus Notes to enter updated case information.

§         Trained new and temporary staff as needed.

§         Opened and closed case files; maintained and tracked physical case files.

§         Tracked cases moved to storage and closed.

§         Maintained team’s master calendar.

§         Provided back-up administrative/case management support for other teams when staff members were absent.

§         Performed general office duties as assigned. 

Education:  Roosevelt University, Chicago, IL.

BA Journalism, Paralegal Certificate

References are available on request.