S.M. “SKIP” OLIVA

PROFILE:

A paralegal and writer based in downtown Charlottesville, Virginia.

WORK HISTORY & EXPERIENCE:

John B. Dunn, Attorney at Law, Takoma Park, MD (March 2007 – April 2009)

• Provided paralegal and administrative support for a sole practitioner practicing probate, estate planning and family law.
• Drafted estate planning documents, probate pleadings, estate accounts, and fiduciary tax returns.
• Designed and managed the office's client and billing databases.
• Provided general office support, including answering phones, drafting correspondence, preparing business tax forms, and office bookkeeping.

Voluntary Trade Council, Arlington, VA (September 2002 – October 2008)

• Founder and director of non-profit research organization that studied the impact of antitrust law on businesses and individuals.
• Authored legal briefs, policy papers and articles on antitrust subjects, including the only series of amicus briefs supporting Rambus Incorporated during its litigation before the Federal Trade Commission.
• Developed, maintained, and edited a network of websites using XOOPS and Joomla that provided continuous news and commentary about current federal, state, and civil antitrust litigation.
• Managed annual fund-raising campaigns and donor databases.

Verstegen & Fobe, Washington, DC (March 2002 - June 2007)

• Provided paralegal support to an international estate planning practice specializing in living trusts.
• Drafted over 400 estate plans, including trust documents, powers of attorney, health care directives, pour-over wills and asset transfers.
• Designed and managed the firm's website and client marketing database.

Other Work Experience

• Developed and managed legal activism program for the Center for the Advancement of Capitalism, which included researching and drafting amicus briefs and official comments to the U.S. Supreme Court and other federal bodies; authoring the Center's annual review of Supreme Court decisions affecting business; and providing regular commentary on the Center's website and blog regarding antitrust subjects.
• Assisted pro se litigant in researching and drafting her petition for a writ of certiorari to the U.S. Supreme Court.
• Assisted individuals with organization of non-profit corporations, subchapter S corporations and limited liability companies.
• Contributed articles to Exploring American History: From Colonial Times to 1877 (Marshall Cavendish 2008).
• Regular contributor to Mises Economics Blog since 2004.
• Occasional contributor to LewRockwell.com.
• Guest blogger for Overlawyered.com in 2006 & 2007.
• Made semi-regular appearances on Fox Sports Radio to discuss the effects of antitrust policy on athletics.

EDUCATION

• University of Maryland University College, Adelphi, Maryland. Bachelor of Science  (August 2001), major in paralegal studies, minor in history. 30 credit hours in paralegal subjects.
• Also attended George Washington University, Washington, DC, 1996-1998.
• Northport High School, Northport, New York. New York State Regents Diploma with Honors (June 1996).

SKILLS  

• Proficient in Windows, Mac & Linux operating systems.
• Extensive experience with Microsoft Word, Excel & Access.
• Working knowledge of federal court rules, including Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure; U.S. Supreme Court; U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third, Fourth and D.C. Circuits; and the Federal Trade Commission.
• Typing speed of 80 words per minute.

CONTACT

Telephone: (434) 253-1179
Skype: smoliva
Email: smoliva -at- inbox - dot - com  
Website: http://www.skipoliva.com