Bala Cawood
Pokeno,Waikato
Summary
Highly organised and dependable Legal Assistant with full proficiency in Family Law and practical experience across conveyancing, commercial law, trusts, and company matters. Skilled in drafting legal documents including applications, affidavits, memorandums, and submissions, with working knowledge of COCA, RP, PPPR, s21 and s21a agreements (drafting base). Confident in taking initial client instructions, managing Legal Aid processes (including billing and amendments), and filing documents. Technically proficient in Affinity and experienced in all aspects of legal administration and personal assistant support.
Brings a strong foundation in client service and multitasking from previous experience in fast-paced retail environments. Proven ability to take initiative, resolve client issues efficiently, and support team goals with a positive, professional attitude. Skilled in visual presentation, communication, and maintaining high-performance standards under pressure.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
Legal Assistant
Franklin Law Firm
12.2023 - Current
- Provide comprehensive legal support across multiple areas of law, with specialised expertise in Family Law
- Draft a range of court documents including applications, affidavits, memorandums, and submissions, tailored to both on-notice and without notice proceedings
- Confidently take initial instructions from family law clients and assess for urgency or potential without notice grounds
- Manage Legal Aid processes, including preparing applications, lodging amendments, completing billing, and ensuring compliance with Legal Aid Services guidelines
- File documents and manage case progression from initial instruction through to hearing. s24 included.
- Support conveyancing and commercial matters with baseline knowledge, assisting with document preparation, file management, and settlements
- Provide support on trust and company matters, including assisting with compliance documents and basic trust file maintenance. Trained in AML processes.
- Carry out a wide range of administrative tasks including calendar management, dictation typing, correspondence drafting, file opening/closing, and deadline monitoring
- Experienced user of Affinity legal software, proficient in time recording, document management, precedent use, and billing
- Act as a Personal Assistant to solicitors, managing inboxes, booking meetings, and anticipating workflow needs
- Maintained strict confidentiality, protecting sensitive client information as required by legal ethics and regulations.
Worker In Charge
Glassons NZ
03.2022 - Current
- Confident in cash handling, opening the store and closing the store solo.
- Replenished sales floor merchandise and organized shelves, racks and bins for optimal appearance.
- Greeted customers on arrival, helped locate items and style suitable options.
- Used POS system to process sales, returns, online orders etc. fully trained.
- Answered questions about store policies and addressed customer concerns.
- Informed customers of current store promotions to encourage additional sales purchases.
- Experience as in-store floor leader supporting and driving the team.
- Supported loss prevention goals by monitoring shopper behaviour.
- Worked well in a team setting, providing support and guidance.
FOOD BEVERAGE ATTENDANT
QT Hotel
04.2021 - 03.2022
- Fine dining breakfast and high tea waitress
- Provided high-quality customer service and maximized productivity
- Worked well under high pressure with many tables
- Practiced fine-dining practices such as table set ups and professionalism
- Used a POS system to ring up items
- Used a booking system and answered phone calls to meet booking needs
- Memorized new menus seasonally, seat position orders and dietary requirements
- Opened and closed the restaurant – BOH and FOH
KITCHENHAND/ WAITRESS
Springston Hotel
11.2018 - 12.2020
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology, Sociology & Statistics
Victoria University of Wellington
07-2025
Bachelor of Laws - Law
University of Waikato
Hamilton, NZ01-2027
Skills
- Exceptional Customer Service
- Staff Training
- Flexible and Adaptable
- Strong Communication and Interpersonal Skills
- Tech Savvy
- Fast learner
- Legal document preparation
- Client communication
- Document preparation, drafting and filing
- Interviewing clients
- Family Litigation support
- Client support
- Legal/Court processes
Timeline
Legal Assistant
Franklin Law Firm
12.2023 - Current
Worker In Charge
Glassons NZ
03.2022 - Current
FOOD BEVERAGE ATTENDANT
QT Hotel
04.2021 - 03.2022
KITCHENHAND/ WAITRESS
Springston Hotel
11.2018 - 12.2020
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology, Sociology & Statistics
Victoria University of Wellington
Bachelor of Laws - Law
University of Waikato
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