QUALIFICATIONS SUMMARY

Dynamic, results-oriented legal professional with impeccable research skills and

acumen in contract negotiation, administration, and finance. Skilled in case li
tigation for class action suits, personal injury and domestic law. Optimistic, c
ooperative problem-solver with excellent interpersonal skills. A persuasive comm
unicator; adept at presenting compelling opening statements, examinations, cross
-examinations, and closing statements. Willing to relocate & Travel. Proficient
in document analysis software and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook & Power
Point). Holds Series 7, Series 66 and Texas General Life/Health Insurance licens
es. Additional skills in:
* Legal Advocacy * Litigation Preparation * Legal Research & Writing
* Negotiations & Settlements * Business Development * Financial Analysis/Reporti
ng
* Investigation/Witness Interviewing * Product Development * Claim Evaluation/Lo
ss Determination
* Marketing Management * Strategic Planning * Project Management/Business Analys
is
BAR ADMISSIONS
* Wisconsin State Bar Association, 2006
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
HUDSON LEGAL, Dallas, TX 2009-2010
Document Review Attorney
* Evaluated and expedited electronic legal/factual documents as part of the disc
overy process for litigation review projects, including intellectual property di
sputes, class action suits, insurance defense and federal agency investigations.
* Analyzed documents with AlphaLit, Ringtail, Relativity and Concordance; ensure
d relevancy and responsiveness.
MERRILL LYNCH, Dallas, TX 2008-2009
Financial Advisor
* Created financial and money management plans, including stocks, bonds, cash an
d diversification for individuals and small businesses, ensuring maximum return
for clients.
* Analyzed and solved financial planning issues by researching markets and produ
cing sound recommendations on investment vehicles and amounts.
JONES DAY/AJILON LEGAL, Dallas, TX 2007-2008
Contract Attorney
* Analyzed over 100,000 securities litigation and SEC investigation documents fo
r a large technology company; utilizing Ringtail, Kroll and Interwoven DeskSite
for document evaluation.
* Prepared a privilege log, performing a second line review and logging document
s for presentation to the opposing counsel.
UNITED STATES SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, Fort Worth, TX 2006
Attorney Advisor
* Managed and closed business and residential loans from $50K to $1M for disaste
r assistance (housing & personal property), business property and expenses; eval
uated closing and title documents.
* Provided consultation to borrowers for applicable laws, regulations, policies
and procedures.
NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD-REGION 30, Milwaukee, WI 2005
Legal Extern
* Researched and wrote legal correspondence, supporting the NLRB's position in h
earings and appeals.
* Collaborated with 12 attorneys on the legal team, conducting discussions of re
levant facts and determining strategies.
* Prepared documents for hearings for employee grievances and labor union disput
es.
DIRECTORS GUILD OF AMERICA, Los Angeles, CA 2005
Legal Extern
* Researched and analyzed contracts for employment, collective bargaining, and r
oyalties for television and film intellectual property issues; evaluated digital
intellectual property profits, ensuring directors were compensated fairly.
* Conducted investigations and reviewed/prepared documents for arbitration and p
otential litigation against studios.
* Prepared for contract negotiations between directors and studios by conducting
thorough research on previous agreements.
MICHELLE D. WORDS Page Two
THE HON. MARGARET J. VERGERONT (Wisconsin Court of Appeals/District IV), Madison
, WI 2005
Judicial Intern
* Conducted legal research/analysis and wrote memos to facilitate judicial opini
ons, analyzing state statutes and determining relevance to cases before the cour
t.
LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO INSTITUTIONALIZED PERSONS PROJECT, Madison, WI
2004-2005
Student Attorney
* Interviewed clients at a correctional facility; researched case law and drafte
d legal correspondence/pleadings for post-conviction relief, sentencing credit,
and/or resolution of pending fines or charges.
CAMBRIDGE PROPERTIES, Phoenix, AZ 2002-2003
Licensed Real Estate Sales Associate
* Marketed homes and represented buyers, sellers, and investors in real estate t
ransactions for residential sales and property rentals, closing over 6 propertie
s worth up to $500K; researched and identified profitable investments for invest
ors.
THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC, Phoenix, AZ 2000
Market Segment Manager
* Created marketing strategies (internet, direct mail, and events marketing) and
managed multi-media products within 2 segments (New Movers and Snow Birds) for
the 12th largest newspaper in the country; identified over $45M in new opportuni
ties.
DAYMON ASSOCIATES, Phoenix, AZ
1997-1999
Associate Business Manager/Business Analyst
* Spearheaded $20M in corporate brand dog and cat food and treat sales; built ma
rketing plans, designed the packaging for new and existing corporate brand items
, and created a new line of Healthy Treats.
* Procured the manufacturer, conducted negotiations with the vendor, and establi
shed the price point.
ATLANTA CASUALTY INSURANCE, Atlanta, GA 1994-1995
Claims Specialist
* Managed over 100 claims simultaneously; negotiated within policy limits for se
vere bodily injury and property damage claims settlements, calming distressed cl
ients, and protecting the insured from additional liability and potential litiga
tion.
* Determined valuation of total loss and settled claims; obtained proper titles
and disposed of salvage.
SOUTHERN GENERAL INSURANCE, Atlanta, GA 1993-1994
Claims Specialist
* Evaluated and determined liability and appropriately settled bodily injury and
property damage claims, reviewing medical billing/reports, lost wages claims, a
nd pain & suffering evaluations.
* Negotiated with adverse parties and attorneys, managing claims in multiple sta
tes within the Southeast.
STATE FARM INSURANCE, Santa Rosa, CA 1989-1993
Claims Representative
* Investigated property damage claims and determined liability levels, interview
ing all parties & witnesses, reviewing police reports, and conducting scene inve
stigations; negotiated settlements and resolved questions regarding coverage iss
ues.
EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN LAW SCHOOL, Madison, WI
Juris Doctor, 2005
* Wisconsin Women's Law Journal, Articles Editor
* Frederick Douglass Moot Court Competition, Regional Quarterfinalist
* American Bar Association National Arbitration Competition
CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITY, Atlanta, GA
Master of Business Administration with a Concentration in Finance, 1997
SONOMA STATE UNIVERSITY, Rohnert Park, CA
Bachelor of Arts in Business Management, 1989
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Leadership Irving, Graduate of Class of 2008
Irving Arts Center, Member of Grants Advisory Panel to the Board of Directors, 2
008-2009