Taja De Silva

Experience

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  Tell Del - Feller & Associates

  Jun 2018 - Aug 2018

  Legal Secretary

  - Data entry (PC Law) and Excel.- Served visitors by greeting, welcoming, and directing them appropriately.- Organized work events/socials.- Notified company personnel of visitor arrival.- Monitored phones and emails.- Monitored mail/post.- Supply Management / Inventory- Directed visitors by maintaining employee and department directories.- Kept a safe and clean reception area by complying with procedures, rules, and regulations.- Supported continuity among work teams by documenting and communicating actions, irregularities, and continuing needs. - Managed large cheques.- Hired and trained my replacement.- Bookkeeping/accounting, worked closely with the accounting department (ex. assisted with payroll, settlement deposits, invoices, client billing, and firm expenditures).- Managing client accounts, billing, calls, and appointments.- Filled documentation. Show less

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  Peer Support Center

  Aug 2020 - Aug 2022

  - Equity and accessibility training, 40hr active listening and suicidality training, and various workshops (ex. diversity/inclusivity training, anti-oppression, etc.)- Ensure communication and transparency between volunteers and exec team - Handle any grievance processes with involved volunteers- Act as a resource and advocate for volunteers and for people accessing the service - Identify gaps in existing equity and accessibility structures and frameworks within the PSC organization, and contribute to long-term sustainable improvements - Research and create reports to suggest relevant changes for best practices in equity and accessibility- Manage and hire a team of equity and accessibility volunteers Show less - 40hr training and various workshops (ex. diversity/inclusivity training, anti-oppression, etc.)- Provided an open, non-judgmental, and respectful listening environment.- Provided an empowering, validating, and non-directive space.- Offered practical help, brainstorm options, and alternatives, and discuss the implications of possible actions without making decisions for your peer.- Respected the boundaries of the peer support relationship.- Adhered to the PSC’s Confidentiality Policy, Crisis, and Emergency Protocols.- Referred peers to appropriate resources, when applicable. Show less

  • Accessibility Coordinator

    Oct 2021 - Aug 2022

  • Support Lead

    Feb 2021 - May 2022

  • Peer Supporter

    Aug 2020 - Oct 2021
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  Legal Aid BC

  May 2022 - Aug 2022

  Intake Legal Assistant

  RECEPTION AND INTAKE SERVICES:a) Answer visitor and telephone enquiries; provide information on services offered or direct to other community resources;b) Identify legal problem/urgency: give legal information/verified legal advice; check conflicts; make appointments; andc) Interview applicants for legal aid; assess client information; determine needs/urgency; determine coverage and eligibility for legal aid, based on law, policies, and guidelines.ISSUED LEGAL AID CONTRACTS TO PRIVATE BAR LAWYERS AND STAFF:a) Appoint duty counsel in local courts, prepare roster;b) Contact lawyers to arrange representation for clients; issue contracts to private bar lawyers, staff lawyer(s)/paralegal(s), or other agencies;c) Enter data into client management system; process files; andd) Respond to follow up requests/problems regarding duty counsel and contracts.DUTIES RELATING TO CLIENT CASE FILES:a) Provide legal secretarial support to staff lawyer(s) and paralegal(s);b) Draft routine correspondence and legal documents;c) Open/maintain/close case files; maintain filing system; storage and destruction. Show less

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  Law Society of British Columbia

  Sept 2022 - Dec 2022

  Unauthorized Practice and Information & Privacy Assistant

  UNAUTHORIZED PRACTICE (50%):- Investigation of unauthorized practitioners- Providing administrative support to the staff lawyer and paralegal on case files, from commencement of investigation through to conclusion of court proceeding, including conducting investigative searches, preparing letters, memos to file and legal documents, organizing and maintaining all unauthorized practice active files and court materials.- Maintaining and updating inquiries and all active files in Word, Law Society database and document management program (eDOCS DM).- Providing administrative support to the Director, Custodianships and UAP- Set hearing dates and file court materials for various court proceedings.- Maintaining the Unauthorized Practice file library and file statistics.- Processing invoices received from external counsel, investigators and processservers, and liaising with the finance department regarding payment of invoices andexpenses.- Prepare accounting and cost-tracking documents.- AffidavitsINFORMATION & PRIVACY (50%):- Processing FOI requests/interpreting FIPPA- Opening, maintaining and closing files.- Responding to internal and external inquiries.- Locating, obtaining, photocopying/scanning and returning records.- Providing administrative support for the Information and Privacy Officer and the Privacy Compliance Officer.- Filing electronic and paper documents for the department (eDOCS DM).- Coordinating and preparing materials for staff training sessions on Information & Privacy. Show less

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  British Columbia Law Institute

  Jan 2023 - Jan 2024

  • Communications Manager

    Mar 2023 - Jan 2024

  • Education And Outreach Coordinator

    Jan 2023 - Jan 2024
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  Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers BC

  May 2024 - now

  Associate Director
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  Indian Residential School Survivors Society

  May 2024 - now

  Marketing Communications Brand Specialist