Betty Freeman

BETTY W. FREEMAN, J.D. Admitted to the California State Bar (SBN 188810) and United States Court, Central District of California Laguna Beach, CA 92651 ● 949.494.7937 ● [email protected] SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS Results-oriented Licensed Attorney providing direct legal consultation and representation in matters of dissolution, domestic violence, child custody, child support, paternity, personal injury, and bankruptcy. Extensive experience in appearing before a wide variety of California and US Courts. Provided document preparation, court representation, and education of civil rights and duties of all parties to a broad spectrum of clients including families experiencing domestic violence. Able to communicate with and meet the needs and concerns of clients in crisis. Efficient time-management and multi-tasking skills. Able to handle cases from intake to conclusion. Legal background includes Law Clerk with heavy research and motion work load; Certificated Paralegal responsible for client intake, discovery and motion preparation. MS Word; Legal forms software. � Court Representation � Legal Counseling � Intakes � Document Preparation � Varied motion preparation � Discovery � Client Education � Computer Proficiency � Certificated Paralegal PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Sole Proprietor, LAW OFFICES OF BETTY W. FREEMAN, Laguna Beach, CA 2000-Present Managed all facets of cases for a variety of private clients from a broad spectrum of economic and cultural backgrounds. Most clients were low to moderate income and were in crisis. Primary practice area Family Law and Personal Injury. � Handled all aspects of each case from intake through preparation of court documents, filing and court appearances to argue the matter. � Represented clients (both men and women) dealing with issues of child custody, support, and physical threat. � Donated time and legal expertise to agency serving clients with domestic violence issues; provided legal advice in one-on-one meetings. Associate Counsel, LEGAL DIVISION OF LIBERTY MUTUAL, Orange CA 1997-2000 � Handled independently varied case load in house defense of personal injury and product liability. � Prepared winning defense at trial in an unfamiliar case three months after admission to the bar. � Obtained non-suit against veteran attorney in first jury trial. � Effectively managed short-notice court appearances. Law Clerk, LEGAL DIVISION OF LIBERTY MUTUAL, Orange CA 1995-1997 � Interviewed clients and witnesses to obtain responses to discovery and defense for trial. � Drafted varied motions (summary judgment, compelling discovery, in limine). � Prepared documents for trial and arbitration, subpoenaing witnesses and witness preparation. � Completed law school (with honors and law review) in three years while managing full time work. Litigation Paralegal, HORTON, BARBARO & REILLY, Santa Ana, CA 1990-1995 � Handled case-intake and documentation; managed all calendaring deadlines; drafted pleadings and discovery; coordinated trial and arbitration preparation. � Designed and instructed legal procedures class for paralegal students at UCI. EDUCATION Juris Doctor, Western State University College of Law, Fullerton, California, 1996 Graduated with Scholastic Merit/Law Review Certificate, Legal Assistant, University of California, Irvine Masters, Public Administration, California State University, Fullerton Bachelor of Arts, Biology, Rice University, Houston, Texas AFFILIATIONS AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT Member, California State Bar, and the Federal Bench for the Central District of California Past Volunteer Advocate, CASA, Orange, CA and Orange County READ Volunteer, Laguna Presbyterian Church, Laguna Beach, CA