Name: Jeannette Serna
Hometown: Miami, FL
Title: Litigation Paralegal
When did you begin working at Damian & Valori, LLP | Culmo Trial Attorneys? How did you get your job here? November 2010. Kenneth Murena and a former partner were looking for an assistant and my friend referred me. I already knew Kenny, Peter, and Melanie from years before. I came in for the interview and started about 2 weeks later.
In a nutshell, what do you do in your role (one sentence or less)? I provide litigation support for the Receivership team, managing the calendars, assisting with discovery, assisting with any other projects as needed.
What projects or cases you are working on? I am currently working on numerous receiverships including CFTC v. Citrades.com, CFTC v. Atkinson, FTC v. On Point Global, NSR Imaging v. Martin Farrell, as well as other matters.
Why did you choose this profession? I spent a lot of time around people in the legal profession during my late teens and early twenties and took an interest.
What do you like most about your job? I think the most rewarding part of this position is having the opportunity to speak with a lot of the fraud claimants and victims. They express their gratitude to us regarding the work we do to try and recover some of their losses. It makes me feel like we are doing something helpful and meaningful.
What do you like most about DVC? I like the unique environment of working at DVC. I have worked at larger firms and the atmosphere is very transactional amongst staff and attorneys. I feel like DVC is an extended family, we have a very tight-knit family-like relationship and we all look out for one another.
Family Snapshot? I’ve been married for 17 years and have a 13-year-old son. I come from a large family of six kids (three boys and three girls).
Word that describes you: Persistent and Patient
What’s on your Netflix list: Queer Eye, The Home Edit, The Devil All the Time, Cobra Kai, Forensic Files
First paying job: Data-entry clerk at Royal Caribbean Cruises (17 years old)
Your proudest accomplishment: First in my family to attend college
What do you do when you are not working? Boating, fishing, baking, cooking
Recommend an article or a book: A Thousand Splendid Suns