Jamise Perkins
Crown Point,IN
Summary
Effective legal professional with proven track record of successfully representing clients in court, drafting/negotiating contracts, developing legal strategies and achieving favorable outcomes. Well-versed in principles of criminal law, contract law and government regulations. Works independently and collaboratively as part of team.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Assistant Public Defender
Law Office of the Cook County Public Defender
07.2021 - Current
- Achieve successful case outcomes in pretrial hearings, trials and sentencing by developing strong legal strategies and effectively representing clients in court.
- Conduct legal research and draft motions challenging admissibility of evidence based on relevant applicable case law resulting in dismissal or reduction of charges against clients.
- Demonstrate strong oral and written communications skills by advocating persuasively on behalf of clients while individually managing an average of over seventy-five cases per month.
- Utilize strong technical skills to enhance case management efficiency.
- Collaborate with other public defenders, paralegals, investigators, support staff, family members and community partners to ensure comprehensive representation for clients in over 75% of all cases.
- Manage high caseloads efficiently by prioritizing tasks and working diligently to meet deadlines.
- Mentor junior attorneys and interns, fostering professional growth and increasing their effectiveness in the courtroom.
Private Practice
Jamise Perkins Attorney-at-Law
10.2012 - 07.2021
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Represented individuals in personal injury, workers compensation, civil rights, criminal defense and contract dispute cases in Illinois and Indiana.
- Served as a trusted advisor to clients, providing guidance on complex legal issues and potential solutions.
- Built a reputation for excellent communication skills with clients, opposing counsel, and court officials.
- Developed customized legal strategies for each client, resulting in optimal outcomes for their cases.
- Assessed cases to develop customized individualized legal strategies, identified legal issues, completed legal research, and prepared and argued legal motions to obtain the most optimal outcomes possible for clients.
- Successfully leveraged technology to improve client services, increase efficiency and reduce operational costs.
- Expanded practice clientele over 300% within five years using targeted marketing strategies and thoughtful networking efforts.
- Managed all aspects of the practice from operations to finance, ensuring smooth daily functioning and profitability.
Judge Pro Tempore
Lake County Superior Court
06.2020 - 12.2020
- Handled high-profile cases with professionalism, ensuring that all parties received due process and equal protection under the law.
- Worked collaboratively with colleagues to develop strategies to increase judicial system's effectiveness and responsiveness to societal needs during COVID-19.
- Presided over felony criminal cases, including preliminary, initial, formal, bail, pretrial hearings, jury trials and sentencing.
- Reviewed legal documents and memos to make determinations on pre-trial issues, motions, and final rulings.
- Developed and prepared outcome driven statistical analysis and reports tracking cases filed, pending, closed, average lifespan and dispositions to develop a targeted action plan designed to maximize resources, reduce expenditures, reduce caseloads and improve efficiency
- Presided over multiple felony jury trials, all affirmed on appeal.
Public Defender
Lake County Public Defender's Office
03.2013 - 06.2020
- Managed a high felony caseload effectively, prioritizing cases based on urgency and complexity.
- Demonstrated strong ability to develop relationships with clients, fostering trust and open communication throughout the legal process.
- Reviewed and analyzed discovery, researched and wrote motions and presented compelling arguments in court, persuading judges and juries to rule favorably on behalf of clients in over 90% of all cases assigned.
- Kept abreast of changing laws and regulations, ensuring accurate interpretation and application in legal proceedings.
- Collaborated with community outreach programs to educate citizens about their rights within the justice system.
Deputy Prosecutor
Lake County Prosecutor's Office
03.2006 - 09.2012
- Represented the State in criminal, traffic and ordinance matters.
- Reviewed investigations for legal and factual sufficiency, evaluated cases for strengths and weaknesses, prepared charging documents and amendments, contacted victims and explained victims’ rights, negotiated pleas, and ensured compliance with all discovery orders.
- Performed as lead attorney in more than thirty jury trials, with a 95% conviction rate.
- Successfully prosecuted 400+ felony cases.
- Successfully negotiated with diverse groups having competing interests to achieve favorable outcomes.
- Built relationships and rapport with various facets, agencies and individuals.
Legal Counsel
Department of Children and Family Services
09.2005 - 02.2012
- Developed comprehensive compliance programs to minimize potential legal risks and ensure adherence to relevant regulations for two entities, Jane Addams Hull House Association and Beatrice Caffrey Youth Services, subcontracted with DCFS.
- Participated in policy discussions to help shape legislative proposals affecting the company's industry from a legal perspective.
- Coordinated efforts among legal team members to ensure a consistent and collaborative approach to handling company-wide legal issues.
- Provided expert legal advice on complex matters for informed decision-making and risk mitigation regarding the deinstitutionalization of mental health treatment services for adolescents, from large state operated facilities to community based programs.
- Drafted clear and concise contracts that protected the company''s interests while facilitating successful business transactions.
Contract Negotiator
City of Chicago Department of Procurement Services
06.2001 - 08.2005
- Effectively and efficiently managed 90+ active contracts, negotiated contract terms, modifications and amendments, as well as Disadvantaged, Minority and Women Business Enterprise requirements.
- Worked with User Departments in preparing detailed specifications for major contracts and scope of services for professional services contracts ranging in value from $100,000 to over $10 million dollars.
- Prepared Request for Proposals, Request for Qualifications, contract terms and conditions and document modifications.
- Supervised, facilitated and participated in the evaluation and ranking of submitted proposals for responsiveness to legal and contract requirements to select the most advantageous offers based on quality, pricing and other key factors.
- Managed assigned contracts throughout lifecycle, to ensure compliance with applicable local/state regulations as well as Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplements (DFARS) clauses.
- Provided expertise in labor and employment laws, Contract Dispute Acts claims and False Claims Act cases to help employer make more effective decisions.
Education
Juris Doctor -
University of Illinois College of Law
Urbana, ILBachelor of Science - Mathematics
Chicago State University
Chicago, ILSkills
- Effective legal analysis
- Advocacy expertise
- Effective written and oral communication
- Analytical problem-solving
- Critical analysis
- Client engagement strategies
Certification
- Indiana Law License
- Illinois Law License
Qualifications
- Involved in over 40 jury trials, experienced criminal defense attorney, prosecutor and felony superior court judge.
- Skilled legal writer who proactively identifies and analyzes legal issues, problems, strengths and weaknesses of cases and the interpretation of the intent and applicability of local, state and federal laws, rules and policies.
Timeline
Assistant Public Defender
Law Office of the Cook County Public Defender
07.2021 - Current
Judge Pro Tempore
Lake County Superior Court
06.2020 - 12.2020
Public Defender
Lake County Public Defender's Office
03.2013 - 06.2020
Private Practice
Jamise Perkins Attorney-at-Law
10.2012 - 07.2021
Deputy Prosecutor
Lake County Prosecutor's Office
03.2006 - 09.2012
Legal Counsel
Department of Children and Family Services
09.2005 - 02.2012
Contract Negotiator
City of Chicago Department of Procurement Services
06.2001 - 08.2005
Juris Doctor -
University of Illinois College of Law
Bachelor of Science - Mathematics
Chicago State University
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