Gail Colton

gail.colton@sympatico.ca https://ca.linkedin.com/in/gailcolton

LEGAL ASSISTANT / EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Results-oriented and dedicated legal professional with demonstrated success in providing expert level support as a Senior Law Clerk/Legal Assistant. Successful and dependable job performance at an established law firm in Bolton for over 25 years. Enhanced firm’s profitability by providing billable skilled paralegal services, screening new callers to assess financial viability, providing knowledgeable assistance on routine matters resulting in repeat business and by maintaining the firm’s advertising presence. Expertise in organizational and administrative tasks, computer literacy, accurate documentation and resource management, together with excellent interpersonal and client service skills. Areas of experience: Civil Litigation, Family Law, Construction Liens, Wills and Estates, Estate Litigation, Employment Law, Residential Real Estate, Personal Injury and Corporate/Commercial.

Civil Litigation and Family Law expertise

Paralegal services billable to clients

Proficient knowledge of the Family Law Rules

MS Office (Outlook/Excel), DivorceMate, PC Law

Expert computer application and technical skills

Proficient with all aspects of legal accounting

Strong organizational/time-management skills

Excellent analytical and problem solving skills

Member: Institute of Law Clerks of Ontario (2004)

Commissioner for Taking Oaths and Affidavits

Proficient knowledge of the Rules of Civil Procedure

Exceptional written and verbal communication skills

Works well independently and in a team setting

Detail oriented, exceptional proofreading/editing skills

Punctual, reliable, diligent and thrives under pressure

Excellent interpersonal and client service skills

EXPERIENCE

LAW CLERK/LEGAL ASSISTANT – PALMATEER & MUISE Sept. 1987 – Present

Many years of experience in a small but busy practice handling a vast array of legal cases with a primary focus on civil litigation and family law matters, construction lien actions, wills and estates and estate litigation.

Provides billable paralegal services to clients at student-at-law rates under the supervision of senior counsel including:

o Preparation of civil litigation documentation including pleadings, amendments to pleadings, third party claim, affidavit of documents and productions, notices of examination and discovery plans, motion records, pre-trial conference memoranda, document briefs, offers to settle, default proceedings, summary judgment, trial record, summons to witness, security for costs, orders and judgments, bills of costs, assessment of costs, garnishments and writs of seizure and sale, affidavits of service, routine correspondence and instructions to filing clerks throughout.

o Preparation of court documents for the Small Claims Court including plaintiff’s claim, defence, defendant’s claim and materials for settlement conference.

o Assist lawyers with preparation for motions, discoveries, pre-trial and trial including research of law.

o Preparation of application/answer/reply, financial statements, net family property statements, Child Support Guideline and Spousal Support Advisory Guideline calculations, conference briefs, motion records and affidavits, orders, minutes of settlement, SDO’s, separation agreements, cohabitation agreements, marriage contracts, bills of costs, affidavits of service, routine correspondence and instructions to filing clerks.

o Completion of all documents required in an uncontested divorce proceeding.

o Completion of pension settlement documentation (FSCO Forms) under Pension Benefits Act.

Conduct first telephone consultation with potential new clients; prepare retainer documents.

Communicate with clients, liaise with lawyer and/or oppoing counsel in a clear and concise manner.

Draft correspondence to clients and lawyers; diarize follow up and bring forward deadlines for reply; arrange meetings; schedule examinations for discovery and prepare requisite materials, order transcripts and follow up on undertakings.

Experience in dealing with the courts particularly the Superior Court of Justice at Brampton, Newmarket, Milton, Orangeville and Newmarket; Knowledge of court filing requirements and procedures.

Experience with appeals in the Divisional Court and Court of Appeal for Ontario.

Experience in registering and perfecting liens under the Construction Lien Act.

Draft wills and powers of attorney; arrange for execution by clients; prepare reporting letter.

Experience with contentious and non-contentious estate proceedings under Rules 74 and 75.

Experienced in all aspects of a real estate transaction from opening to close.

Strong ability to carry out general administrative duties including:

o Accurate record keeping, maintain lawyer’s calendar, assess, prioritize, track tasks and diarize limitation deadlines.

o Open and close files in accordance with LSUC guidelines and input into software applications.

o Docket time and disbursements; preparation of accounts, reminders, accounting and statistical reports.

o Manage physical and electronic files and software programs; manage and update database records .

Gail Colton gail.colton@sympatico.ca https://ca.linkedin.com/in/gailcolton

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Demonstrates core competencies including:

o Respects the ethics and confidentiality requirements as prescribed by the LSUC.

o Anticipate and respond to clients’ needs in a professional manner applying logic and knowledge of the law, respect, sensitivity, descretion and emphathy; applies conflict resolution and Alternative Dispute Resolution strategies.

o Encourages proactivity, flexibility, accountability; provides guidance, support, assistance and respect to others in the workplace to maintain a healthy and enjoyable workplace environment.

o Monitor, improve and maintain advertising presence with Google AdWords interface, newspapers, directories, etc.

o Manage, train and supervise college/high school co-op students and new hires when required.

o Participates in special assignments and projects as required;adaptable to changing environments and motivated to learn new software programs; able to work flexible hours while maintaining a healthy work -life balance.

OTHER RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

FREELANCE REAL ESTATE ASSISTANT FOR ROBERT SCHNIER (SAVAGE, SCHNIER)

Freelance real estate assistant to Robert Schnier. Responsible for completing all real estate files (prior to the introduction of Teraview). Duties included all matters from receipt of agreement of purchase and sale to closing including requesting search of title; arrange for execution search; drafting of requisition letter; reply to requisition letter; letters to municipality and utilities; preparation of all documents for purchase or sale transactions; attend to execution of same with clients; attend on escrow closing; attendance at registry office closings or arrange through agent; complete final reports and accounting for client and follow-up on undertakings.

EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT AT CANADA’S WONDERLAND

Administrative assistant to the General Manager, Vice President and Division Directors in the Finance and Human Resources Department at Canada’s Wonderland.

Supervisor of seasonal payroll of over 3,000 part-time employees; manage small staff. LEGAL ASSISTANT AT SEABROOK & ASSOCIATES

Legal assistant to Ross Finlay and Victor Seabrook. Responsibilities included general legal secretarial work concentrating in real estate and corporate/commercial; Backup switchboard operator; Backup word-processor operator.

LEGAL ASSISTANT AT MILLER THOMSON

Personal secretary to corporate lawyer J. Bellstedt in the corporate/commercial department.

Personal secretary to R.A. Colvin, practising in sales of condominium units.

TECHNICAL SKILLS Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook, Excel, Power Point) | PC Law | ESILaw | Basic Accounting | Westlaw | CanLII | Adobe Acrobat |

| Phillips SpeechExec Pro Transcribe | Estate-a-Base | DivorceMate | Amicus Attorney | Word Perfect | Fibernetics (internet-based telephone system) | Visa/Debit POS terminals | Transcription and typing | Spelling, punctuation and grammar | Valid Driver’s Licence | Clear criminal record check.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Ongoing mentoring from senior counsel practising in several areas of law.

View various continuing education broadcasts presented by the Federated Press for Law Clerks chaired by various organizers.

Subscriber to Ontario Annual Practice updates and DivorceMate “e-News and e-Views” newsletters.

Keeps current with updates: Ontario Reports, Peel Law Association, and Marmer Penner newsletters.

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE

Several year of personal volunteering for donations to support the Kidney Foundation of Canada.

Door-to-door and on-line fundraising canvasser for Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Member of MILKBAGSunlimited, a group that achieves to empower people, save the planet and help to create micro-businesses in needy countries around the world by participating in a volunteer project to send handmade mats to Haiti.

Supporter in fundraising events presented by the Rotary Club of Bolton; Participant in Haunted Hill Walk (fundraising event).

Supporter of animals in need of rescue in conjunction with the Toronto Humane Society and private rescue groups.