Valerie Williamson, MBA, SPHR

Experience

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  U.S. Air Force

  Jan 1989 - Jan 1997

  Staff Sargent

  Served as Spanish Linguist with National Security Agency, holding a Top Secret Security Clearance for five years (1989-1994); served as a paralegal in the U.S. Air Force JAG as both a military justice paralegal and manager of the Civil Law Division (1995-1997).

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  Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP

  Apr 1998 - Oct 1998

  Litigation Paralegal

  Provided overall case management on employment law cases. Drafted discovery responses and pleading documents. Conducted legal research.

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  Bredhoff & Kaiser PLLC

  Dec 1998 - Feb 2001

  Litigation Paralegal/Assistant Paralegal Manager

  Provided overall case management on litigation and employment issues for labor union clients. Worked with defense partner as paralegal and investigator on criminal matters. Served as an elected alternate shop steward for unionized staff. Member of the labor-management team, working with senior leadership to create and maintain the firm's collective bargaining agreement.

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  Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP

  Feb 2001 - Oct 2002

  Litigation Paralegal

  Provide case management on litigation cases from initial document collection to trial. Cite check briefs and prepare documents for filing. Case management.

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  Crowell & Moring LLP

  Jun 2003 - Apr 2007

  Senior Paralegal

  Provide case management on complex litigation cases from initial document collection to trial. Manage staffing and delegation of assignments within the case team. Provide direction, mentoring, training, and evaluation of junior team paralegals. Translate litigation support needs to client and legal team, including research, analysis, and recommendations for software systems to meet case needs. Provide technical support, expertise, and training to attorneys, paralegals, and temporary personnel on litigation support software. Show less

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  McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP

  Apr 2007 - Oct 2008

  Paralegal Manager

  Establish annual program budget and cost projections impacting firmwide program. Analyze market data to identify salary trends and make recommendations on compensation adjustments. Standardize orientation procedures, training guidelines, and professional development standards. Monitor staff performance. Oversee employee relations and performance management. Conduct annual performance evaluations. Track team productivity, utilization, and workloads. Manage recruitment, hiring, and orientation of paralegals. Consult with case teams on litigation support needs and use of software systems. Serve as claims administrator for chemical company association, liaising with insurance companies, legal counsel, and claimants on the adjudication of claims. Show less

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  Dickstein Shapiro LLP

  Oct 2008 - Feb 2013

  Paralegal Manager

  Manage staff of 45+ persons in Washington D.C. and California offices. Monitor and track staff productivity and workloads to promote top utilization within program. Prepare and manage annual program expense and revenue budgets. Oversee employee relations, performance management, and disciplinary actions. Administer annual performance evaluations. Analyze staffing needs and manage recruiting, hiring, and training of paralegals. Review and analyze market data to make recommendations on bonuses and compensation. Coordinate hiring of contract attorneys and temporary paralegals. Manage vendor relationships, coordinating project specifications, timelines, resources, and pricing. Show less

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  Morrison & Foerster LLP

  Apr 2013 - Mar 2017

  Paralegal Manager

  Develop and facilitate firmwide paralegal training.Oversee employee relations, performance management, and disciplinary actions. Administer annual performance evaluations. Establish business and professional development goals for team. Review and analyze market data to make recommendations on bonuses and compensation. Analyze staffing needs and manage recruiting, hiring, and training of paralegals. Monitor rollout, implementation, and management of the firm's audit response process in all domestic offices. Coordinate on-boarding and management of temporary staff and attorneys. Conduct new hire orientation and training. Promote client service principles and develop innovative solutions for firm clients. Collaborate with local vendors on project staffing, specifications, resources, and pricing. Show less

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  Bass, Berry & Sims

  Apr 2017 - Dec 2020

  Office Administrator

  Office Administrator for the Washington, D.C. regional office of Bass, Berry & Sims. Responsible for the day-to-day operation and management of the office, including financial management, space and facilities management, employee relations, and performance management. Over 20 years of law firm experience, working in various positions that include paralegal management, recruiting, training and talent development, and office administration. Active member of the Association of Legal Administrators (ALA), serving as Treasurer-Elect (2019-20) and Chair, Small Firm Community. Show less

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  The Write-up LLC

  Jul 2019 - now

  Independent Business Owner

  After decades of professional editing and writing and sharing funny life lessons through articles, short stories, and blog posts, I've decided to expand my passion for writing through professional service offerings at The Write-up LLC. At The Write-up LLC, we believe that excellence is in the details and our services are designed to take your documents and creative works to the next level. Visit us at www.thewriteupllc.com.

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  Foley Hoag LLP

  Dec 2020 - Jun 2022

  Washington DC Office Administrator
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  Venable LLP

  Jun 2022 - now

  Director Of Administration