Alyssa Nguyen-Schmitz
Saint Paul
Summary
Expert Attorney accomplished in building and winning cases. Talented in understanding intricacies behind laws and crafting persuasive oral arguments and written positions. Dedicated to meeting clients' needs with best-in-class legal representation.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Attorney-at-Law / Former Prosecutor
Nguyen Firm
Saint Paul
01.2009 - Current
- Represented clients in high-stakes felony, gross misdemeanor, and misdemeanor cases, consistently achieving favorable outcomes and ensuring justice was met.
- Negotiated successful plea agreements, reducing sentencing by 30% in numerous complex cases.
- Represented clients in removal proceedings, criminal court, and family court, advocating for their legal rights and outcomes.
- Develop and present comprehensive legal strategies that effectively address complex immigration cases.
- Handled a caseload of 400+ diverse immigration cases ensuring timely and precise application filings.
- Conducted comprehensive legal research and analysis, developing effective case strategies for successful court appearances.
- Collaborated effectively with paralegals and investigators, gathering and evaluating key evidence for trials.
- Demonstrated exceptional communication and negotiation skills when advising clients on legal rights and strategies.
- Drafted and reviewed critical legal documents, motions, and pleadings with precision and legal expertise.
- Advised clients with complex legal issues, honing skills in mediation and conflict resolution.
- Enhanced organizational skills by managing simultaneous cases, ensuring compliance with all legal standards and deadlines.
- Supervised, trained, mentored, and counseled law clerks and administrative assistants, enhancing team competency and performance.
- Www.NguyenFirm.com
Assistant Vice President - Personal Trust Team Lead
Wells Fargo Bank NA
Minneapolis
01.2005 - 01.2008
- Supervised, trained, mentored, and counseled trust officers and legal professionals on trust, estate, probate, and fiduciary law principles, enhancing team competency and service quality.
- Review and interpret wills, trust agreements, and other legal documents to ensure the bank’s fiduciary responsibilities are met in accordance with the governing instrument, state and federal regulations, IRS, and OCC regulations.
- Researched and maintained current knowledge of trust, estate, probate, investment, and fiduciary law to ensure compliance with fiduciary responsibilities as trustee, agent, guardian, and custodian.
- Implemented policies and procedures on daily workflow to ensure proper compliance with trust and estate administration.
- Work with attorneys, accountants, auditors, and other professionals to resolve trust and estate law issues.
Judicial Law Clerk to the Honorable David M. Duffy
Minnesota District Court
Minneapolis
01.2004 - 01.2005
- Formulated oral and written recommendations to the district judge on civil and criminal matters, enhancing decision-making processes.
- Conducted legal research, wrote bench memoranda, and court orders.
- Evaluated pleadings, motions, and legal documents filed with the court, ensuring compliance and clarity.
- Prepped cases for the Judge’s review, drafted voir dire and jury instructions for civil cases.
- Assisted the judge in various proceedings such as motion hearings, pre-trial conferences, and trials.
- Served as primary contact for attorneys and the public, addressing inquiries on court procedures and processes to facilitate understanding.
Law Clerk
Mansfield Tanick & Cohen, PA
Minneapolis
01.2003 - 01.2004
- Conducted legal research, drafted memoranda, pleadings, motions and appellate briefs.
- Assisted in trial preparation, interviewed witnesses, coordinated testimony, and prepared trial notebooks.
- Attended depositions and court proceedings to support case strategy and documentation.
- Assisted attorneys in case preparation and engaged directly with clients to address legal inquiries.
Trust Officer/Trust Administrator
US Bank, NA
St. Paul
01.2000 - 01.2003
- Administered complex personal trust accounts to ensure compliance and client satisfaction.
- Reviewed and interpreted wills, trust agreements, and other legal documents to ensure fiduciary responsibilities are met in accordance with the governing documents, IRS, and OCC regulations.
- Consulted with investment managers to value assets and develop investment strategies to ensure proper execution of investment strategies and proper administration of trust accounts.
- Cultivated and expanded personal trust relationships with clients to enhance service delivery.
- Collaborated with internal and external partners to develop new business opportunities and strengthen client relationships.
- Interacted with attorneys, accountants, and other professionals to resolve issues to meet the clients’ needs.
- Liquidated assets and distributed interests upon the trust’s or estate’s termination.
New Business Coordinator
American Express
Minneapolis
01.1999 - 01.2000
Education
Juris Doctor - Cum Laude (top 20% in class)
William Mitchell College of Law
St. Paul, MN01-2004
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology & Paralegal Certificate
Hamline University
St. Paul, MN05-1997
Skills
- Legal research
- Legal analysis
- Legal document drafting
- Litigation
- Trial preparation
- Trial experience
- Criminal defense
- Criminal law
- Immigration law
- Civil litigation
- Evidence evaluation
- Statutory interpretation
- Discovery processes
- Document review
- Document drafting
- Document prep
- Case analysis
- Client representation
- Client management
- Client advising
- Client advice
- Conflict resolution
- Alternative dispute resolution
- Court procedures
- Court preparation
- Courtroom demeanor
- Criminal investigations
- Case management
- Reviewing documents
- Legal compliance
- Oral advocacy
- Negotiation
- Trial experience
- Legal advice
- Immigration law
- Litigation
- Criminal law
- Negotiation
Affiliations
- Active member of the American Immigration Lawyers Assoc.
- Former EOIR liaison for the American Immigration Lawyer’s Assoc.
- Member of the Washington County Bar Association
- Attorney mentor for the Immigration Law Center
Awards
- Named Attorney-of-the-Month, 2018, Attorney-at-Law
- WE Award, 2017, An honor celebrating local women in business
- Next Generation of Attorneys, 2015, Attorney-at-Law
- North Star Attorney, 2012, 2013
- Extraordinary Contribution to the Vietnamese Community, 2011
Websites
Personal Information
Title: Attorney-at-Law
Continuing Legal Education
- Advice for Practicing in Immigration Court
- Challenging Times – Litigating in Immigration & Federal Ct
- CrimImmigration Law
- Immigration Hot Topic
- Trust & Estates for Non-Citizens
- Parole in Place (PIP)
- Immigration and the Law
- Immigrants Among Us
Timeline
Attorney-at-Law / Former Prosecutor
Nguyen Firm
01.2009 - Current
Assistant Vice President - Personal Trust Team Lead
Wells Fargo Bank NA
01.2005 - 01.2008
Judicial Law Clerk to the Honorable David M. Duffy
Minnesota District Court
01.2004 - 01.2005
Law Clerk
Mansfield Tanick & Cohen, PA
01.2003 - 01.2004
Trust Officer/Trust Administrator
US Bank, NA
01.2000 - 01.2003
New Business Coordinator
American Express
01.1999 - 01.2000
Juris Doctor - Cum Laude (top 20% in class)
William Mitchell College of Law
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology & Paralegal Certificate
Hamline University