Erin Smith

Experience

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  Legal Aid and Defender Association

  Aug 2012 - Feb 2014

  Student Attorney/Law Clerk – Civil Law Division

  Represented clients in court, from intake interview through appeals process.Prepared and filed motions, pleadings, and briefs for Social Security benefits litigation and divorce proceedings.Drafted and submitted QDRO’s.Researched, compiled and wrote presentation materials and PRO SE informational packets for distribution to clients in family law and divorce matters.Drafted briefs for filing in the United States Court of Appeals.

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  State’s Attorney’s Office

  May 2014 - Jun 2015

  Student Attorney/Law Clerk

  Conducted trials as first chair and managed dockets for Part B (misdemeanors and civil infractions) under attorney supervision.Served as second chair in trials and assisted in case preparation for Part A (felonies).Spearheaded multi-agency state and local homicide task force to solve decades-old cold case.Assisted in prosecution of nationally covered “molly” case at Wesleyan University.Conducted arraignments, preliminary hearings, pre-trial conferences, motion practice, sentencing hearings, and probation hearings.Negotiated plea deals and handled all matters of discovery and pre-trial preparation.Drafted and filed motions, pleadings, briefs, and correspondence for litigation and criminal law proceedings.Prepared cases and case evaluations for criminal, civil infraction, and juvenile court proceedings. Show less

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  Chubb & Son

  Aug 2015 - Oct 2015

  Temporary Legal Auditor

  Reviewed, analyzed, and audited invoices submitted by defense counsel and others for compliance with guidelines.Conferred with claim staff, law firm personnel, and other vendor staff to identify billing issues and inconsistencies.Pursued additional information from law firms, claim handlers, insureds, and brokers for completion of the bill review process and final resolution on submitted invoices.Identified firm billing trends and opportunities to enhance the audit process workflow.Exceeded productivity requirements as outlined by unit supervisor and contributed to consistency and turnaround time goals of the department and company. Show less

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  State’s Attorney’s Office

  Nov 2015 - Jun 2016

  Special Deputy Assistant State’s Attorney

  Prosecutor for the Regionalized Infractions Adjudication Program (RIAP) for the State of Connecticut.Oversaw dockets consisting of 250-450 cases on a daily basis, including selecting appropriate charges and cases for prosecution.First-chaired trials involving criminal infractions and motor vehicle violations.Engaged in pre-trial meetings and negotiated with defendants and attorneys.Trained law enforcement personnel in courtroom testimony procedure and substance.

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  Clerk of the Superior Court

  Oct 2016 - Feb 2017

  Assistant Law Clerk – Centralized Small Claims Division

  Assisted Superior Court Magistrates in courtroom proceedings, including motion sessions and trials.Drafted orders in response to motions submitted to the court.Researched and analyzed state and local law and facts in evidence to provide Superior Court Magistrates with information material to judicial conclusions.Communicated directly with attorneys and pro se litigants regarding case management, procedural requirements, and questions regarding pending motions and matters.Reviewed, processed, and maintained all records filed with the court, including pleadings, petitions, andcorrespondence.Administered oaths to litigants and witnesses, coordinated scheduling, reviewed court dockets, and assisted in all administrative tasks within the Centralized Small Claims Division. Show less

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  Smith Legal Solutions, PLLC

  Apr 2017 - now

  Owner & Managing Attorney

  Responsible for all aspects of the firm's business development, operations, company strategy, and relationship management, including sales, training, marketing, purchasing, accounting, negotiations, and customer service.Pre-trial motion practice, depositions, arbitrations, and all aspects of litigation practice.Create and implement case plans, discovery, and trial plans.Conduct all case reviews, case monitoring, and trial preparation for 650+ active cases.Manage and coordinate all scheduling, vendor services, client, and employee services.Primary practice areas include general & complex civil litigation, consumer defense litigation, personal injury, family law, estate planning proceedings, administrative complaints, negotiations, and all aspects of litigation. Show less

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  McCoy & McCoy, LLC

  Mar 2019 - Dec 2019

  Manager, Litigation Department

  Pre-trial motion practice, depositions, arbitrations, & all aspects of litigation practice.Responsible for managing all aspects of the firm’s Litigation Department. Create & implement case plans, discovery, and trial plans.Conduct all case reviews, case monitoring, & trial preparation for 250+ active cases.Manage and coordinate all scheduling, vendor services, client, & employee services.