Paula J. Patterson has served as a paralegal with Lenhart  Obenshain PC since its inception, and has been working in the legal field, both in Harrisonburg and Richmond, Virginia, for over 18 years. She has held paralegal positions in both large and small law firms, practicing in the areas of litigation, bankruptcy and foreclosures, corporate law, residential and commercial real estate, estate planning, and estate and trust administration.  Ms. Patterson has extensive experience in estate administration, working closely with personal representatives of decedents’ estates to aid in the administration process from the date of death through the closing of the estate. She has handled both very large estates and insolvent estates, with substantial experience in the preparation of inventories, accountings, estate tax returns and correspondence with beneficiaries and the Commissioners of Accounts.

Experience

• Served as a paralegal on the defense team representing a major pharmaceutical company in a multi-national product liability case.

• Has conducted real estate title examinations for foreclosure cases throughout the state of Virginia.
• Has assisted in residential and corporate real estate financings by conducting real estate title examinations, coordinating acquisition of title insurance with title companies, preparing legal descriptions, deeds, loan documents, and correspondence.
• Has assisted with right-of-way issues, land ownership dispute cases, and real estate zoning cases.
• Has provided practical and procedural assistance to clients handling estates, trusts, and guardianships with assets valued as large as $20,000,000, and has assisted in IRS estate tax dispute cases.
• Has prepared the necessary documentation for obtaining federal income tax exempt-status for several charitable organizations.

Education

• James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia
  B. S. – 1974 summa cum laude
• Post Graduate: James Madison University – paralegal studies, 15 credit hours

Certifications/Specialties

• Achieved C.L.A. Certified Legal Assistant status from NALA in May, 1994