Candace Tucker 4411-19 Avenue NW | 403-978-3798 | tuckerc89@gmail.com

Legal Assistant

Proactive, senior legal assistant professional with a history of supporting lawyers in fast-paced legal

environments. Valued as a discreet and knowledgeable assistant, with the ability to juggle and prioritize needs

while ensuring both promptness and quality of work. Reputable for developing, implementing and

communicating procedures, handling unforeseen issues, and serving as liaison to clients, internal staff, and

external contacts. Recognized as an employee who shows initiative, willingness to help, positive attitude, and

adds value to a company.

Areas of Expertise

Patent Prosecution (CA, U.S.A., Foreign) ⦁ Personal Injury Litigation ⦁ Civil Litigation ⦁ Corporate Law ⦁

Research ⦁ Docketing ⦁ Client Relations ⦁ Office Administration ⦁ Expense Reporting ⦁ Invoicing and AR/AP

Management ⦁ MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) ⦁ Adobe ⦁ Internet Research ⦁ Document Management ⦁

Calendar Management ⦁ Travel Planning ⦁ Meeting Coordination ⦁ Technology Management ⦁ Transcription ⦁

Typing (60+wpm)

Professional History

IP LEGAL ASSISTANT | BENNETT JONES LLP | 2015-2016 Assisting senior partner in managing a high-volume patent prosecution practice. Preformed a variety of key

responsibilities including maintaining USA, Canada and PCT patent portfolios. Prepared required documents

for filing of provisional and non-provisional applications, e.g. ADS, Statement 3.73(c), Assignment, Power of

Attorney, Declaration and IDS. Attended to payment of annuities/maintenance fees. Monitored and docketed

deadline. Reviewed Office Actions and drafted Response. Reviewed International Search Reports and Written

Opinions. Researched cited disclosure literature and patents. Reported all communications to client for review

and instructions.

⋆ Achieved excellence with high-quality writing, proof-reading and strong communication skills. Provided finished projects in a timely fashion with attention to detail, organizing and prioritizing files.

PARALEGAL TO LEAD PARTNER OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY| FIELD LAW | 2014-2015 Deliver first-hand support to senior partner while managing a variety of key patent prosecution responsibilities

including maintaining USA, Canada and PCT patent portfolios. Prepared required documents for filing patent

applications, e.g. formatting, and editing drafts of Abstract, Specification, Claims and Drawings; completing ADS,

Statement 3.73(c), Assignment, Power of Attorney, Declaration, IDS, Petition for Grant of a Patent, Appointment

of Agent, Request for Examination and continued examination (RCE). Filed patent applications on EFS-Web, e-

PCT and Canadian databases. Recorded Assignments to USPTO and CIPO. Researched and monitored patents

using EPO Espacenet, CIPO, USPTO (PAIR) and WIPO Patentscope databases. Attended to payment of

annuities/maintenance fees, grant fees, issue fees. Ensured docketed deadlines met in timely fashion.

Reviewed, drafted and filed Response to Offices Action, Allowance and Notices. Reviewed International Search

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Reports and Written Opinions. Ordered certified copies of patents. Reported all communications to client for

review and instructions.

⋆ Initiated installation of new e-PCT filing system to computers for employees to utilize the online system for filing patent applications.

⋆ Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and needs of lawyer, patrons and staff members by

personally being dependable, hard-working, reliable and punctual. ⋆ Ensured adherence to Patent Rules and Regulations by regular research of procedures and applying

any changes required by the patent offices. ⋆ Contributed and attended regular meetings to update team on status of applications and deadlines.

Communicated resolution of client concerns and scheduling conflicts. IP LEGAL ASSISTANT| HEENAN BLAIKIE| 2011-2014 As “right-hand” to one of the firm’s top billing lawyers, maintained high-volume patent prosecution portfolios

within Canada, USA and Foreign countries. Served as point of contact for communicating with foreign

associates to facilitate ongoing prosecution of foreign patent applications. Prepared formal documents

(Assignments, Power of Attorney, Translation, Oath or Declaration of Inventors, Disclosure list) for national

phase entry patents and patents in non-PCT countries, adhering to rules and requirements of the specific

country.

⋆ Played key role in communicating/clarifying expectations for employees by requesting and organizing training of patent docking soft-ware.

⋆ Achieved savings for costly filing of apostilled documents by personally contacting source and

arranging documents to be filed at another Embassy that supported the specific country.

LEGAL ASSISTANT| BLAKES LLP| 2007-2010 Played pivotal role in fast-moving corporate finance department, providing assistance to senior partner and

associate. Prepared and edited legal credit agreements for numerous large syndicate financial facilities.

Organized closings and provided document binders to parties. Managed corresponding emails, communicated

with clients directly and built strong team building relations with lawyers and colleges.

⋆ Coordinated educational training for finance legal assistants by organizing learn-at-lunch meetings to improve work flow and understanding of the process and definitions of key financial terms in a credit agreement.

CAREER NOTE: PREVIOUS LEGAL ASSISTANT ROLES| 1993-2007 Provided assistance to law firms on either a temporary or full-time position throughout my education and

raising a family. Accomplished knowledge and understanding of various areas of law including personal injury

experience of 11 years. Implemented and oversaw files from start to finish. Acted as main contact with client

and medical facilities. Collected medical records, police reports, prior court filings, and insurance information.

Prepared all relevant documentation, e.g. Statement of Claim, Affidavit of Records, Notice of Motion, Bill of

Costs, Statement of Defence.

Education

BFA | 2007 | UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY

LEGAL ASSISTANT/BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION DIPOLMA | 1993 | THE CAREER COLLEGE (CALGARY)