Victoria Upperman
Glen Burnie
Summary
Accomplished litigation paralegal with 19 years of experience supporting attorneys in complex litigation. Graduated from an ABA-approved paralegal program. Proactive legal professional with a strong ability to work independently, manage multiple cases effectively, and provide comprehensive support to attorneys in all aspects of litigation. Uses organizational skills and attention to detail to maintain accurate case files and support attorneys effectively. Knowledge of legal procedures and protocols ensures seamless workflow and contributes to successful case outcomes. Proficient in electronic filing of court documents in federal and state courts, legal drafting, research, cite-checking, case management, e-discovery, and handling confidential legal matters with professionalism and discretion. Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Acrobat, Westlaw, LexisNexis, and PACER.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Paralegal - Insurance Coverage
Jackson & Campbell
03.2022 - Current
- Review insurance policies to create insurance policy abstracts and coverage charts.
- Electronically file in Federal and State Courts using CM/ECF, CaseFileExpress, MDEC, and PACER.
- Assist attorneys by preparing the fact section of coverage position letters.
- Draft standard documents, including pro hac vice motions, proposed orders, notices of appearance, summonses, and affidavits of service.
- Assist attorneys in drafting and finalizing substantive pleadings and discovery requests/responses.
- Organizes, maintains, and updates electronic client files.
- Cite-check and format citations in accordance with Bluebook standards.
- Performs legal research using Westlaw.
- Assists with document production review by creating a privilege log and bates-stamping and redacting documents via Adobe Acrobat.
- Monitor dockets our firm is overseeing across the U.S. and obtains information and documents from various courts in the U.S.
- Summarized depositions, legal documents and other material to provide attorney with relevant material for cases.
- Ensure accurate billing practices by closely tracking billable hours spent on each task per project or client matter.
Litigation Paralegal
Coover Law Firm, LLC
05.2020 - 03.2022
- Drafting answers to interrogatories, response to request for production of documents, and response to requests for admissions of facts
- Preparing document production – redacting and bates-stamping via Adobe Acrobat
- Reviewing document production from opposing parties
- Preparing subpoenas and notices of deposition of duces tecum
- Preparing Complaints and Answers to Complaints
- Drafting motions, responses to motions, and letters
- Preparing marital separation agreements.
- Preparing deeds.
- Submitting deeds for recording via Simplifile
- Preparing Wills, Power of Attorney and Advance Directives.
- Preparing Articles of Organization.
- Registering new businesses in Maryland and registered businesses as a foreign entity in South Carolina, Washington D.C and Virginia
- Assist attorney with preparation for depositions by identifying pertinent documents to use as exhibits and assist attorney in deposition.
- Summarizing deposition transcripts and summarizing records.
- Research via Westlaw
- Communicating with clients via telephone and email.
- Intake phone calls with potential clients.
- Managed high-volume caseloads effectively by creating organized systems for tracking deadlines and prioritizing tasks.
- Ensured accurate record-keeping by maintaining up-to-date case files, both physical and electronic formats.
- Supported attorneys during trial proceedings, ensuring the availability of key exhibits and witnesses when needed.
- Drafted clear and concise correspondence on behalf of attorneys to clients, opposing counsel, and court personnel.
- Organized evidence, exhibits, motions, and subpoenas to support cases and prepare for trial.
- Maintained client satisfaction by providing regular updates on case progress and addressing concerns promptly.
- Completed electronic court filings at state and federal levels.
- Identified critical information within extensive documentation through meticulous attention to detail during document review process.
- Streamlined deposition preparation process by summarizing transcripts efficiently, allowing attorneys more time for strategic planning.
- Liaised with clients to gather crucial case information, fostering strong relationships and ensuring comprehensive case preparation.
- Coordinated with expert witnesses to prepare for trial, enhancing credibility and persuasiveness of case presentations.
- Organized and maintained detailed case calendar, ensuring all deadlines were met without fail.
- Supported attorney during trials by managing exhibits and ensuring necessary documents were at hand, contributing to seamless courtroom operations.
- Attended court hearings and depositions to take notes and document proceedings.
- Communicated pertinent information to clients via phone, email, and mail.
- Developed polished motions and briefs to support litigation processes and court proceedings.
- Interviewed clients to obtain information relevant to cases.
- Researched statutes, decisions, legal articles, and codes.
- Ensured accurate billing practices by closely tracking billable hours spent on each task per project or client matter.
Office Worker/Runner during Maryland General Assembly Session - Temporary Part-Time Position
Temporary Position With Montgomery County
01.2020 - 03.2020
- Pick up and deliver documents throughout the government complex in Annapolis
- Signing up and submitting written testimony to support or oppose proposed bills
Litigation Paralegal for Insurance Coverage Defense
Rollins, Smalkin, Richards & Mackie, LLP
10.2015 - 11.2019
- Assisted in obtaining key evidence through subpoenaing records from various sources such as financial institutions or medical providers.
- Reviewed medical records and created chronological summaries of the Plaintiff's medical history which the attorneys would use when preparing for depositions and trials.
- Organizing and preparing document production including bates-stamping, redacting, and preparing privilege logs.
- Drafting answers to interrogatories, responses to request for document production, and responses to requests for admissions of facts
- Preparing subpoenas and notices of depositions duces tecum. Obtaining foreign subpoenas when necessary.
- Cite checking, Shepardizing, and preparing tables of authority.
- Scheduling depositions and independent medical evaluations.
- Assisted in obtaining key evidence through subpoenaing records from various sources such as financial institutions or medical providers.
- Organized evidence, exhibits, motions, and subpoenas to support cases and prepare for trial.
- Completed electronic court filings at state and federal levels.
- Streamlined deposition preparation process by summarizing transcripts efficiently, allowing attorneys more time for strategic planning.
- Would help with the onboarding of new paralegals by providing training of firm specific procedures and training of day-to-day paralegal responsibilities.
- Ensured accurate billing practices by closely tracking billable hours spent on each task per project or client matter.
Litigation Paralegal
Discepolo LLP
05.2015 - 10.2015
- Requesting client's medical records
- Scheduling depositions.
- Managed high-volume caseloads effectively by creating organized systems for tracking deadlines and prioritizing tasks.
- Ensured accurate record-keeping by maintaining up-to-date case files, both physical and electronic formats.
- Drafted clear and concise correspondence on behalf of attorneys to clients, opposing counsel, and court personnel.
- Assisted in obtaining key evidence through subpoenaing records from various sources such as financial institutions or medical providers.
- Organized evidence, exhibits, motions, and subpoenas to support cases and prepare for trial.
- Supported attorneys during trial proceedings, ensuring the availability of key exhibits and witnesses when needed.
- Drafted pleadings, motions, and briefs in compliance with court rules, leading to successful outcomes in numerous cases.
- Completed electronic court filings at state and federal levels.
- Improved client satisfaction by providing regular updates and explanations of legal proceedings, demystifying legal process.
- Organized and maintained detailed case calendar, ensuring all deadlines were met without fail.
- Contacted clients to schedule appointments and discuss progress of cases.
- Communicated pertinent information to clients via phone, email, and mail.
- Interviewed clients to obtain information relevant to cases.
- Reviewed, edited and proofread litigation for proper grammar, spelling and punctuation.
Florida Foreclosure Complaint Processor
Butler & Hosch
02.2014 - 05.2015
- Auditing files to determine whether we have all of the necessary documents to draft a Complaint to Foreclose by using the software, CaseAware.
- Requesting documents we need to draft the complaints for foreclosure from the client via the client sites such as LPS Black Knight Financial Services, Vendorscape, and Len Star
- Drafting complaints for Foreclosure and uploading the complaints to client sites for verification
- Provided outstanding customer service by promptly addressing inquiries and resolving issues.
- E-filing foreclosure complaints via Court Express in Florida.
- Coordinating the service of summons and complaints by communicating with process servers.
- Reduced errors with meticulous attention to detail and thorough review of documentation.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure smooth handoffs and timely completion of projects.
- Contributed to the achievement of department goals through consistent high-quality work.
- Improved client satisfaction by ensuring timely and accurate processing of requests.
Commercial Civil Litigation Paralegal
Silverman, Thompson, Slutkin & White
01.2012 - 10.2013
- Filing pleadings and motions electronically in State and Federal Courts in various jurisdictions via ECF/CM, Filing electronically in state court via Lexis Nexis File and Serve and CaseFile Express.
- Research local court rules in various jurisdictions via Westlaw.
- Preparing e-discovery using Westlaw CaseLogistix.
- Drafting correspondence, Drafting Discovery, Answering Discovery, Drafting Notice of Depositions, and Drafting Subpoenas.
- Assisting with preparing for trial, assisting seven attorneys with the daily management of caseload, coordinating depositions, calendaring deadlines and court dates.
- Ensured accurate billing practices by closely tracking billable hours spent on each task per project or client matter.
- Ensured accurate record-keeping by maintaining up-to-date case files, both physical and electronic formats.
- Assisted with the hiring and onboarding of an intern including reviewing resumes and conducting interviews.
- Assisted attorneys with the preparation, editing, and filing of appellee brief in the Maryland Court of Appeals.
- Scheduling Depositions.
- Coordinating and communicating with process servers to serve summons and subpoenas.
Litigation Paralegal
Law Office of Peter T. Nicholl
06.2010 - 01.2012
- Conduct initial intake interview with clients.
- Meet with clients to to gather information to answer interrrogatories and prepare the answer to interrogatories for the attorney's review.
- Preparing Complaints for attorney's review.
- Requesting and following up on client medical records, reviewing client medical records, bates stamping client medical records, preparing expert packets
- Developed and implemented a system to obtain the testing of the subject property and/or properties that were allegedly responsible for lead poisoning the Plaintiff(s).
- Scheduling property testing with environmental testing vendors/experts, scheduling independent medical evaluations of the Plaintiff(s), and scheduling depositions.
- Conducting intake client interviews, meeting with clients to answer interrogatories.
- Assisting attorney with the daily managing of caseload
- Managed high-volume caseloads effectively by creating organized systems for tracking deadlines and prioritizing tasks.
- Ensured accurate record-keeping by maintaining up-to-date case files, both physical and electronic formats.
- Supported attorneys during trial proceedings, ensuring the availability of key exhibits and witnesses when needed.
- Drafted clear and concise correspondence on behalf of attorneys to clients, opposing counsel, and court personnel.
- Organized evidence, exhibits, motions, and subpoenas to support cases and prepare for trial.
- Drafting motions for protective orders in response to client's subpoenaed records which have lead to successful outcomes in numerous cases.
Litigation Legal Assistant
Law Office of Evan K. Thalenberg
01.2008 - 06.2010
- Drafting pleadings, drafting motions, and drafting correspondence.
- Conducting intake client interviews.
- Ensured accurate record-keeping by maintaining up-to-date case files, both physical and electronic formats.
- Managed deadlines effectively ensuring timely submission of all required filings, court appearances, and correspondence.
- Contributed to positive team dynamics within the firm by collaborating effectively with colleagues in both legal support roles and attorney positions.
- Supported attorneys during trials by creating trial exhibits, preparing witness binders, and tracking essential documentation throughout proceedings.
- Facilitated client communication through proactive updates on the progress of their cases and addressing any concerns promptly.
- Worked with outside environmental testing vendors/experts to test the subjected properties for lead paint.
General Litigation Paralegal
Law Office of Mark W. Howes
09.2006 - 12.2007
- Legal Research using Lexis Nexis, Westlaw and LoisLaw.
- Drafting and Answering Civil and Criminal motions and pleadings, Drafting Correspondence.
- Drafting wills, pre-nuptial agreements and articles of incorporation
- Ensured accurate record-keeping by maintaining up-to-date case files, both physical and electronic formats.
- Increased case efficiency by streamlining document management and organization processes.
- Created templates for legal documents to streamline the drafting process.
- Drafted pleadings, motions, and briefs in compliance with court rules, leading to successful outcomes in numerous cases.
- Developed strong relationships with vendors, negotiating contracts for better pricing on office supplies and equipment.
- Maintained client satisfaction by providing regular updates on case progress and addressing concerns promptly.
- Processed weekly time cards to report employee's earnings for payroll disbursement.
- Improved cash flow management through timely billing and collections followup.
- Managed financial records, including invoice processing and budget analysis, resulting in increased cost efficiency.
- Managed banking accounts, accounts payable, processed invoices, ensured timely vendor payments, responsible for accounts receivable, sending invoices, and following up on outstanding accounts. Reconciled bank statements and cash accounts, maintaining accurate financial records.
- Scheduling and managing deadlines and court appearances
- Liaised with clients to gather crucial case information, fostering strong relationships and ensuring comprehensive case preparation.
- Developed comprehensive database of legal resources, significantly reducing research time for future cases.
- Organized and maintained detailed case calendar, ensuring all deadlines were met without fail.
- Enhanced team efficiency by implementing digital filing system that expedited document retrieval.
- Optimized billing process, ensuring accurate and timely invoicing for legal services rendered.
- Reviewed, edited and proofread litigation for proper grammar, spelling and punctuation.
Part-time Criminal Legal Secretary
Law Office of Gill Cochran
08.2006 - 09.2006
- Draft motions, draft pleadings and dictaphone
- File motions at court, filing, answer phones and opening mail
Estates and Trusts Intern
Law Office of Eileen Cochran
06.2006 - 08.2006
- Legal Research.
- Observe court proceedings, observe interviewing clients
- Maintain the firm accounting including balancing the operating and trust accounts, paying office bills, and handling the firm's banking.
- Answering phones. Communicating with clients, potential clients, and vendors.
- Maintain and organize client's physical files.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - History
University of Baltimore
Baltimore, MD05.2014
Associate of Applied Science - Paralegal Studies Litigation
Anne Arundel Community College
Arnold, MD05.2007
High School Diploma -
North County High School
Glen Burnie, MD05.2002
Skills
- Proficient with Cite-checking
- Proficient with Blue-booking
- Trial preparation assistance
- Litigation support
- Discovery management
- Experience with e-discovery software
- Legal research skills
- Attention to detail
- Critical thinking
- Multitasking
- Workload management
- Organized
- Adaptable
- Quick Learner
- Proactive and takes initiative and responsibility
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Acrobat, Westlaw, Lexis, and PACER
- Familiarity with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and local rules
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Strong analytical, drafting, and proofreading skills
- Ability to work independently, manage multiple projects, and meet strict deadlines
- Flexibility to adapt to changing priorities and new tasks as needed
Affiliations
- American Bar Association, 2023
- NALA The Paralegal Association, 2023
Certification
- Notary Public License - Washington, D.C. Secretary of State - Expires March 2030.
Timeline
Paralegal - Insurance Coverage
Jackson & Campbell
03.2022 - Current
Litigation Paralegal
Coover Law Firm, LLC
05.2020 - 03.2022
Office Worker/Runner during Maryland General Assembly Session - Temporary Part-Time Position
Temporary Position With Montgomery County
01.2020 - 03.2020
Litigation Paralegal for Insurance Coverage Defense
Rollins, Smalkin, Richards & Mackie, LLP
10.2015 - 11.2019
Litigation Paralegal
Discepolo LLP
05.2015 - 10.2015
Florida Foreclosure Complaint Processor
Butler & Hosch
02.2014 - 05.2015
Commercial Civil Litigation Paralegal
Silverman, Thompson, Slutkin & White
01.2012 - 10.2013
Litigation Paralegal
Law Office of Peter T. Nicholl
06.2010 - 01.2012
Litigation Legal Assistant
Law Office of Evan K. Thalenberg
01.2008 - 06.2010
General Litigation Paralegal
Law Office of Mark W. Howes
09.2006 - 12.2007
Part-time Criminal Legal Secretary
Law Office of Gill Cochran
08.2006 - 09.2006
Estates and Trusts Intern
Law Office of Eileen Cochran
06.2006 - 08.2006
High School Diploma -
North County High School
Bachelor of Arts - History
University of Baltimore
Associate of Applied Science - Paralegal Studies Litigation
Anne Arundel Community College
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