Maria Guirau
Southampton,Hampshire
Summary
Highly skilled professional with extensive expertise in Microsoft Office, G Suite, and various social media platforms. Proficient in legal databases such as Iken, Lexis Nexis, and Land Registry, with a strong command of legal terminology. Demonstrates exceptional customer service, conflict resolution, and budget management abilities. Adept at case management, administrative support, document preparation, and case preparation. Possesses excellent time management, investigative and reporting skills, integrative negotiation capabilities, and knowledge of legal software. Committed to delivering high-quality legal research and advising services while continuously seeking opportunities for professional growth.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
8
8
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Legal Assistant Litigation
Southampton City Council
Southampton
12.2022 - Current
- Assisted in preparation of legal briefs, aiding winning litigation strategies.
- Conducted comprehensive research to support compelling legal arguments.
- Provided comprehensive support to solicitors during trial preparations.
- Ensured client satisfaction with timely and accurate communication.
- Managed client files with highest levels of confidentiality and discretion.
- Drafted and submitted legal documents to senior staff for review and approval.
- Familiarised myself with systems such as the Land Registry and have experience in filling applications with the Land Registry Portal
- Liaised professionally with external legal teams for smooth case management.
- Experience in dealing with Companies House and filling documentation
- Recorded detailed notes from client and witness interviews for further investigation.
- Monitored litigation developments to give current legal advice.
- Drafted accurate legal documentation from comprehensive research.
- Explained client rights and entitlements to devise action for legal proceedings.
- Filed vital legal documentation within strict deadlines .
- Clarified complex legal jargon for better client understanding .
- Streamlined office procedures with effective administrative tasks.
- Reviewed and edited legal correspondence for accuracy and clarity
- Responded promptly to client queries, ensuring superior customer service.
- Liaised directly with clients to establish strong professional relationships.
- Achieved efficient case management by meticulously organising legal documents.
- Drafted complex legal documents for successful court proceedings.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of legislation changes relevant to practice area.
Legal Assistant (CEDAW)
CEDAW People's Tribunal
03.2021 - 03.2024
- I have loved to be a part of this role to help spread awareness to women’s issues
- Our main objective was eagerly working towards introducing a Women’s Bill of Rights into UK domestic law
- I helped produce the final report written by Dr Jocellyne Scutt and have had the amazing opportunity to personally hand this report to 10 Downing Street in June 2021
- Drafted complex legal documents for successful court proceedings.
- Reviewed and edited legal correspondence for accuracy and clarity.
- Prepared necessary paperwork for court hearings, facilitating smooth proceedings .
- Provided comprehensive support to solicitors during trial preparations.
- Conducted witness interviews to support our objective when writing the report
- Assisted in preparation of legal briefs, aiding winning litigation strategies.
- Built positive client relationships to increase satisfaction and retention.
- Conducted comprehensive research to support compelling legal arguments.
- Recorded detailed notes from client and witness interviews for further investigation.
- Assessed and summarised legal reports for client communications.
- Performed additional research and evidence gathering to strengthen client cases.
Homelessness Prevention Assistant / Housing Assistant
Southampton City Council
Southampton, Hampshire
02.2021 - 12.2022
- Managed a large caseload of clients covering varied needs, including mental health, homeless and alcohol misuse issues.
- Assisted service users to obtain and access community resources.
- Established and maintained working relationships with clients based on trust and non-judgement.
- Listened to clients' current struggles to signpost relevant support.
- Handled emergency situations calmly, providing necessary assistance and support.
- Provided excellent customer service to people who came through the unit
- Organised files systematically, enhancing data retrieval efficiency.
- Contributed to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.
- Assisted with budget preparations enabling effective financial planning.
- Coordinated office operations by handling phone inquiries and managing correspondence
- Performed bookkeeping tasks, including invoicing and expense tracking.
- Interacted professionally with clients providing excellent service at all times.
- Facilitated internal communication.
- Received, sorted and distributed incoming mail.
- Dealt with routine enquiries at reception or by telephone and referred more complex matters to appropriate members of staff.
- Created and maintained logical and orderly digital filing system for impeccable record keeping.
- Examined, scanned and input documents in software system.
- Improved customer satisfaction through prompt response to email and phone queries.
- Managed physical and digital correspondence while keeping information private and secure.
- Took initiative to self-assign administrative tasks in line with company policy to maximise impact.
- Acted as main contact for staff and clients.
Student Co-ordinator Advice sessions (Kent Law Clinic)
Kent Law Clinic
Canterbury, Kent
09.2018 - 01.2019
- As a student coordinator I was in charge or ensuring the advice sessions held by the university ran smoothly and managing all students who attend the sessions
- Created detailed schedules to streamline work processes.
- Coordinated staff training sessions to enhance skills and knowledge base.
- Coordinated project tasks for successful and timely completion.
- Troubleshot potential problems before escalation, preventing major disruptions.
- Collaborated across departments for strategic planning purposes.
- Enhanced team productivity with efficient delegation of tasks.
- Answered phone calls and responded to emails from Solicitors.
- Assisted Interview sessions held by Solicitors with members of the public
- Adapted to unforeseen challenges with proactive, flexible approach.
- Received and actioned feedback to improve personal performance.
Education
LLB Bachelor’s degree - Law
University of Kent
09.2017 - 07.2020
A levels - Law, English Lit, Spanish, Portuguese
Richard Taunton’s Sixth Form College
09.2015 - 08.2017
GCSE’s -
Regents Park Community College
09.2012 - 06.2015
Skills
- Microsoft Office: Outlook, Word, Excel, Power Point
- G Suite: Google Sheets, Google docs
- Proficiency in using Iken (legal database)
- Proficiency in Lexis Nexis and Land Registry and Companies House
- Excellent Customer Service
- Budget Management
- Organisational Skills
- Administrative assistance
Custom
References available upon request.
Languages
English
Portuguese
Spanish
Personal Information
Accomplishments
Helped write and deliver a Law Report to No.10 Downing Street
Affiliations
- drawing
- reading
- writing
- cooking
- painting
Timeline
Legal Assistant Litigation
Southampton City Council
12.2022 - Current
Legal Assistant (CEDAW)
CEDAW People's Tribunal
03.2021 - 03.2024
Homelessness Prevention Assistant / Housing Assistant
Southampton City Council
02.2021 - 12.2022
Student Co-ordinator Advice sessions (Kent Law Clinic)
Kent Law Clinic
09.2018 - 01.2019
LLB Bachelor’s degree - Law
University of Kent
09.2017 - 07.2020
A levels - Law, English Lit, Spanish, Portuguese
Richard Taunton’s Sixth Form College
09.2015 - 08.2017
GCSE’s -
Regents Park Community College
09.2012 - 06.2015
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