Senior Paralegal Special Projects
Resume:
Russ Gordon
***** ** *** ****** *****, Florida 33176
*******@***.*** and *************@*****.***
Professional Profile:
Highly dedicated and results-oriented professional with a strong legal and business background. Experienced in all aspects of corporate, local, state and federal legal matters, business relations and special projects at the management level. Exceptional communicator with a consultative style, strong negotiation skills, exceptional problem-solving abilities and a keen client needs assessment attitude. Aggressively identify opportunities, develop focus and provide practical legal and business solutions. Work with CEOs and execs at all levels to carefully outline pros and cons of major business and corporate decisions to avoid later pitfalls and second-guessing. And, to further link these vital corporate decisions to the laws, statutes and regulations which might apply. Also public forum speaker several years on law and legal issues as well as business and wise planning for profit and productivity; Identity theft and employee dishonesty matters and proof of employee fraud and illegal confiscation of Employer confidential files, data and information.
Experience:
Senior Paralegal to Renee Marie Smith, Esq. LLC and to Mery Lopez, Esq. P.A. 2018-2024(and ending December 2024)
All aspects of state and federal law and litigation for these South Florida boutique law outlets as Senior Paralegal handling problem cases requiring immediate focus and handling for various reasons; preparation of all court papers and pleadings such as complaints, motions, answers, defenses, counterclaims and crossclaims, summary judgments, trial brief and appeals brief filings and active involvement in major decision-making as allowed by the law firm owner; trusts, estates, will contests, family disputes in the courts including trial of family disputes; challenging of wills and trusts by the family members; will and trust legal interpretations; wills and trusts appellate matters related to right to property; intestate cases; pretermitted spouse and children; preparation of pre and post marriage agreements and dispute settlements; numerous preparations for contested mediation matters; settlements on the eve of trials in several Florida courts; prepare complex Probate court matters for trial in several Florida courts; team with co-counsel on similar matters which have been contested; work on loan and settlement of claims of creditors; disputes related to omitted spouses and children of Decedents..
Legal Assistant/Paralegal
Kravitz Guerra Attorneys LLC and Perez Law Miami Miami, Florida 2009-2018
All aspects of state and federal litigation in areas related to complex litigation, Insured plaintiff insurance claims litigation, lack of good faith matters, contested matters, Examinations Under Oath, prosecution of commercial, condominium community denied claims, mediations and arbitrations; work all files from start to conclusion including preparation of all correspondence, electronic mails, fraud, ID theft and employee theft and fraud matters working with all local police agencies and Miami States Attorney/Economic Fraud Division; preparation of pleadings, claims, defenses, motions, legal memoranda, summary judgment matters, appeals briefs and memoranda for use by Attorney; construction and lien disputes, state and federal employment issues; franchise law and litigation matters; preparation of all related agreements, pleadings, discovery and other documents and data, as needed. Fully versed in all Florida and Federal Procedure and Evidence Codes and Rules; fully updated Continuing Legal Education. Claims handled against the world’s major insurance corporations ranging in the challenging of denials of claims into the many millions of dollars lose in such random denials; keen understanding of the Insurance Contract process from inception of the Agreement to enforcement of client rights in the judicial system. Familiar with all aspects of denial of claims by insurance carriers and ways in which to contest and litigate such denials; motions for attorney’s fees and sanctions for bad faith conduct; motions to sanction companies for bad faith and for denials with no legal or fact bases.
Acting Director of Programs, Business Development and Assistant to the CEO
The UniPlex Foundation Miami, FL 2004-2008
Federally-sanctioned Section 501[c][3] nonprofit organization based in Miami, Florida coordinating efforts, charities and programs for the advancement of both seniors and children in Florida, Haiti and South America, since 2001. Coordinate all nonprofit giving and donations to assure full compliance with exhaustive federal rules and mandates focusing on regions and countries damaged, ravaged and devastated ty natural disasters inclusive of cyclones, hurricanes and earthquakes.
Partner
Whitman Gordon Miami, FL 1992 - 2010
South Florida law practice specializing in all aspects of commercial and business law and litigation; full state and federal trial practice focusing on corporate and commercial litigation, entertainment law, franchise law and litigation, mediation, arbitration, employer/employee rights, banking and Lender liability areas; Jury trial preparation, jury and all complex mediation matters; complex regulatory proceedings related to Internal Revenue Service, Federal Communications Commission and Federal Trade Commission. Intensive preparation for state and federal matters and over 75 complex jury matters in contracts, medical and professional malpractice, contested real estate litigation, franchise relationship disputes, terminations and IT disputes, employer loyalty and theft cases working with courts and States Attorneys on white collar matters; family probate disputes of all sorts and prepare workouts and settlements of such disputes..
Attorney-at-Law
Broad and Cassel Miami, FL. 1982-1992
Prestigious statewide Florida law firm partner specializing in all aspects of state and federal trial practice with emphasis on United States Bankruptcy matters, trial of Chapter 7 and Chapter 11 adversary proceedings; Lender and banking law and litigation, real estate litigation, collections and all aspects of real estate foreclosure matters; all Lien matters; responsible, in part, for supervision of Litigation Department staff; monitored and trained new incoming associates; lectured on all up and coming areas of the law; was liaison with the firm and the courts in state and federal work matters. Handled matters in several Florida federal courts. National legal headlines with victories on matters relating to debts, asset planning and protecting one’s wealth and assets.
Legal Assistant to the General Counsel and President
Wienerwald Hospitality Enterprises/Ranch House
Dining, Inc., Riviana Entertainment LLC; International House Pancakes and
Lums Restaurant Corp. Miami, FL 1979-1982
Provided legal assistance to General Counsel and President in all aspects of franchise law, preparation of all contract documents; Landlord/Tenant franchise negotiations, litigation, federal and state law compliance matters with Federal Trade Commission, International Franchise Association and Florida Department Professional Regulation for this international restaurant, hotel and hospitality conglomerate with business operations and outlets in the US and Europe; monitored a franchisee community of 100 owners all over the nation on problem solving and troubleshooting potential legal disputes and controversies. Also lectured to company and franchise-owned outlets on the most up to date issues and matters facing this changing industry; and litigation of franchise disputes; bad faith denials of renewals; encroachment issues on franchise territory; proper preparation of Plaintiff and Defendant cases in the franchise litigation arena/ state and federal.
Professional Affiliations:
Miami Dade County Public Schools: Certified Level Three School Volunteer, School Volunteer and FCAT Tutor for Miami McArthur South High School—a final alternative facility for troubled high school teens; currently work with middle and high schoolers in Take Stock In Children mentoring founded by Big Brothers/Big Sisters. (Certified Mentor to high school seniors which was a requirement of their curriculum to graduate the high school level.)
Miami Dade County Teen Court: Volunteer Judge for Miami Dade Commission/Miami Dade Schools County program enabling troubled youth who have committed state offenses to be judged by a panel of their school peers. [13 years]
Miami Dade County, Team Metro Citizens’ Academy: Certified in fifteen-week Miami Dade-sanctioned training program focusing on all aspects of county government operations, administration and legal matters related to County issues and Codes.
Motivational consulting and speaking to groups utilizing high level creative options to employee profitability and productivity.
Education:
Nova University Law Centre, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Degree: Juris Doctor 1980
University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
Degree: Bachelor of Sciences, Broadcast Journalism/Communications/ Political Science 1973
References/Compensation Matters Available Upon Request
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