CRISANN J. SURRENA
608 Bonnet Street
New Iberia, LA 70563
(330) 475-5685
OBJECTIVE
To obtain a challenging position in the legal field using my education and experience.
EDUCATION
University of Toledo1986
Toledo, Ohio
Legal Assisting Technology (American Bar Association approved)
Internship with the Wood County Public Defender’s Office, Bowling Green, Ohio.
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
Tommy R. Hightower, Jr., APLCJuly-September, 2016
Lafayette, Louisiana
Worked for Tommy R. Hightower, Jr. reviewing case files and providing summaries and quantum evaluations to the insurance companies.
Onebane Law Firm2014-2016
Lafayette, Louisiana
Worked for Onebane Law firm as a Trial Litigation Paralegal doing insurance defense of legacy claims and personal injury claims. Duties include:
Obtain and review expert reports for use at trial.
Attendance at depositions of experts and lay witnesses.
Preparation of discovery responses.
Locate lay and expert witnesses.
Attendance at trial.
Preparation of charts of expert testimony for use at trial.
Assisted bankruptcy attorneys with incoming emails relating to cases.
Daigle Rayburn, LLC2013-2014
Lafayette, Louisiana
Worked for Daigle Rayburn, LLC as an insurance defense litigation paralegal working on maritime and Jones Act claims. Duties include:
Obtain and review medical records and medical billing associated with injuries and claims.
Preparation of discovery responses.
Summarization of depositions.
Locate expert and lay witnesses and preparation of witnesses for trial.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Louisiana2011-2013
Lake Charles, Louisiana
Worked as the Development Director reporting directly to the Executive Director for BBBS-SWLA, a non-profit one-to-one mentoring agency. Responsibilities include:
Human Resource duties include recruitment of qualified staff, including, but not limited to interviewing, checking references, orientation, benefit administration and training.
Responsible for sick and annual leave balances and approval of leave requests.
Direct Supervision of Client Relations Specialist and Work Study Students.
Review and approval of time sheets.
Disciplinary meetings as necessary.
Handle all risk management matters involving personnel.
Attendance at weekly caseworker progress meetings.
Recruitment of volunteers and children into program.
Review and implementation of grant guidelines and reporting requirements.
Attendance at Board Meetings.
Daily communication with Satellite Directors.
Close working relationship with all members of the Board of Directors.
Back up to Finance Director for payroll and check writing.
Promotion of agency through public speaking events within the community.
Community Legal Aid Services2009-2011
Akron, Ohio
Employed as a middle manager reporting directly to the Chief Financial Officers for six offices of Community Legal Aid Services, a non-profit organization serving the civil and minor misdemeanor legal needs of the low income families in Northeast Ohio.
Managerial-Human Resource Functions:
Human Resource duties include recruitment of qualified staff including, but not limited to, interviewing, checking references, orientation, benefit administration and training.
Responsible for sick and annual leave balances and approval of leave requests.
Close working relationship with Executive Director and Managing Attorneys.
Case Management of all files in the offices.
Attendance at management and budget meetings.
Management of client escrow account. (Processing deposits and check requests).
Ordering and approving supplies for all eight offices in the region.
Management attendee at grant team meetings to ensure compliance of all grant procedures.
Direct supervision of 12 support staff personnel.
Interviewing potential applicant for permanent and volunteer positions.
Processing new hire employment forms.
Handling all risk management of personnel.
Investigation into employee disputes and complaints.
Training of all personnel.
Management of work load and staffing needs.
Annual performance evaluations.
Disciplinary actions as mandated by Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Management attendee at grievance hearing.
Liaison with Battered Women’s Shelter.
Hanna, Campbell & Powell, LLP2002-2009
Akron, Ohio
Senior personal injury/complex (asbestos) litigation paralegal, workers’ compensation and medical malpractice defense litigation paralegal for two partners. Responsibilities included:
Drafting of pleadings and correspondence.
Attendance at teleconferences with multiple jurisdictions (states) regarding asbestos updates and prepare memorandum regarding same.
Summarize and disseminate medical records to expert witnesses in compliance with HIPAA and other statutory guidelines.
Preparation of memorandum of internal and external use.
Summarization of deposition testimony.
Preparation of documents responsive to discovery request and tracking of files for compliance with court orders and needs of clients.
Worked daily with large automobile insurer as outside counsel.
Summit County Children’s Services Board2000-2002
Akron, Ohio
Worked as a senior paralegal for Summit County Children’s Services Board, Legal Department.
Preparation and filing of Affidavits for Emergency Temporary Custody and/or Protective Supervision of abuse, dependent and neglected children.
Preparation and filing of all motions relative to children in custody of SCCSB.
Review and interpretation of orders from Juvenile Court to ensure agency compliance, including tracking legal timelines for filing of motions and Title IV-E, federal reimbursement compliance.
Liaison between legal department and agency staff.
Scanlon & Gearinger Co., L.P.A. (nka Scanlon Group)1994-2000
Akron, Ohio
Worked as a senior paralegal for two senior litigation partners in a personal injury, product liability and medical malpractice plaintiff firm.
Heavy client contact.
Evaluation and resolution of property damage claims.
Obtain and review medical records and medical billing associated with injuries and claims.
Preparation of discovery responses.
Summarization of depositions.
Locate expert and lay witnesses and preparation of witnesses for trial.
Attendance and assistance at trial.
RoetzelAndress Co., L.P.A.1992-1994
Akron, Ohio
Preparation of written discovery responses and document requests.
Locate expert nesses for use at trial.
Obtain and summarize medical records.
Monitor and access the internal legal tracking and computer system for a large automobile manufacturer.
PROFESSIONAL REFERENCES
Sondra Broussard
Human Resources
Onebane Law Firm
1200 Camellia Boulevard, Suite 300
Lafayette, LA 70508
(337) 237-2600
Robert A. Royer
Attorney at Law
Scanlon Group
50 S. Main Street
Suite 100
Akron, OH 44308
(330) 376-4558
Ms. Ann Brown
Scanlon Group
50 S. Main Street
Suite 100
Akron, OH 44308
(330) 376-4558
John Hill
Attorney at Law
Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs
3800 Embassy Parkway
Suite 300
Akron, OH 44333
(330) 376-5300