Denise graduated from the University of South Carolina in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. She then obtained a paralegal certificate from Midland Technical College and worked as a paralegal with the Richland County Solicitor’s Office and the South Carolina State Senate.
Denise has worked with the Strom Law Firm since 1997, assisting attorneys with complex litigation, class actions, and criminal defense.
Denise is a Union United Methodist Church member in Irmo, South Carolina, where she is involved in numerous church activities and organizations, including Martha Circle and the United Methodist Women.
A paralegal working in complex litigation, class actions, and criminal defense plays a crucial role in supporting attorneys by handling a wide range of tasks to ensure cases are thoroughly prepared and managed effectively.
In Complex Litigation:
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Research & Documentation: Conducting extensive legal research, gathering case law, statutes, and other legal references to support arguments.
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Discovery Process: Assisting in the preparation and organization of large volumes of documents, reviewing evidence, and managing discovery databases.
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Drafting Documents: Preparing motions, briefs, and other legal documents under the supervision of attorneys.
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Case Management: Maintaining files, organizing exhibits, and managing deadlines to ensure smooth workflow.
In Class Actions:
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Plaintiff Communication: Acting as a liaison between attorneys and large groups of clients, ensuring consistent communication and accurate information gathering.
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Document Management: Organizing and cataloging extensive documentation and evidence related to the claims.
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Coordination: Helping attorneys coordinate with experts, witnesses, and other stakeholders.
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Case Preparation: Preparing notices, settlement agreements, and supporting attorneys during hearings or settlement conferences.
In Criminal Defense:
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Case Investigation: Assisting attorneys in investigating facts, interviewing witnesses, and collecting pertinent information.
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Legal Research: Identifying relevant legal precedents and assisting in developing defense strategies.
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Trial Preparation: Preparing exhibits, organizing files, drafting subpoenas, and creating trial binders.
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Court Support: Assisting during trial proceedings, managing documents, and taking notes for attorneys.
In all these areas, paralegals like Denise Mendenhall are essential in ensuring legal processes run smoothly, efficiently, and accurately, especially in high-pressure, document-heavy cases. They provide indispensable organizational, research, and communication skills that significantly contribute to a law firm’s success.
