Project Manager Customer Service

Location:

Seattle, WA

Posted:

October 02, 2012

Contact this candidate

Resume:

Mira Kochel

Email: abouql@r.postjobfree.com

Address: **** *** ***. ** **** A

City: Seattle

State: WA

Zip: 98117

Country: USA

Phone: 425-***-****

Skill Level: Experienced

Salary Range: 75

Primary Skills/Experience:

See Resume

Educational Background:

See Resume

Job History / Details:

Mira A. Kochel

9744 4th Ave. NW #A

Seattle, WA 98117

Cell 425-***-****

FAX 206-***-****

Email: abouql@r.postjobfree.com

EXPERIENCED ATTORNEY

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

Seasoned attorney with over 25 years of experience. I have a broad legal background that includes a tax degree. Expertise in employee benefits laws; occupational illness claims, qualified retirement plans, veterans' benefits administration, and social security regulation. I have written decisions awarding final benefits for the Department of Labor, the Bureau of Veterans Affairs, and the Social Security Administration. I am flexible. I have a team-building personality, and work effectively with everyone. My excellent communication skills make me a natural leader.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

06/2011 - 07/2012; Social Security Administration, Office of Disability and Adjudication Review; Attorney Advisor; Tacoma, WA

Senior Attorney and Mentor: Christine MacDonald 253-***-****; may contact

Served as Attorney Advisor to Administrative Law Judges in Social Security Administration Hearing Office. Advised regarding benefit entitlement to social welfare and disability entitlement under Title II and Title XVI of the Social Security Act, and implications of medical evidence in the decision-making process. Drafted final decisions awarding or denying security disability and welfare benefits. Reviewed extensive medical records, and other documents of extremely sensitive and complex nature. Legal research into proper implementation Social Security laws and regulations.

10/2010 - 06/2011; US Department of Veterans Affairs; Rating Veterans' Service Representative; Auburn, WA

Supervisor: Catherine Nolan; 206-***-****; may contact

Analyzed claims prior to making determinations regarding service-connection, percentage of disability, permanent and total disability and entitlement to compensation, pension ad vocational training, medical and dental treatment, automobile or other conveyances, insurance, specially adapted housing, dependent education allowances and other ancillary benefits. Assured proper application of all laws and regulations, accountable for proper analysis, appropriate claim development and final rating determinations.

06/2010 - 10/2010; US Department of Veterans Affairs; Veterans' Service Representative; Seattle, WA

Supervisor: Oscar Tollentino; 253-***-****; may contact

Duties included the following: Conduct interviews with veterans, representatives, and advocates. Analyze and develop evidence for claims relating to accrued benefits, incompetence, income changes, dependency, burials, death pension, hospital adjustments, specially adapted housing, clothing and automobile allowances, and issuing the certificate for loan guaranty. Make determinations relative to Veterans Administration hospitalization, outpatient treatment institutional or domiciliary care, and vocational rehabilitation. Adjudicate and issue decisions for complex and sensitive claims such as claims for post traumatic stress, sexual trauma, secondary service connection, Gulf War claims, original and reopened pension claims, claims for unemployable and apportionment cases. Make administrative decisions and special determinations relating to qualifying military service character of discharge, domestic relations, contested claims, homicide, presumed death, line of duty, or willful misconduct, corpus of estate, and violations of U.S. Penal Code, related attorney fees, administrative error and fraud. Prepare Statement of the Case, on authorization appeals. Prepare correspondence to members of Congress and special interest groups on case assignments. Initiate request for field examinations and apportionment of fiduciary, guardian, or custodian for minors and incompetent beneficiaries. Use specialized data processing system for claims processing, monitoring, adjudication, authorizations and correspondence preparation to inform claimant and any representative or advocate of the decision and the basis for the action taken.

06/06 - 06/2010; DOL/ESA/OWCP/EEOICPA Claims Examiner; US Department of Labor; Seattle, WA

Supervisor: Jill Mortimer; 206-***-****; may contact

Reviewed employee and survivor claims filed pursuant to the Energy Employees' Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA) for factual and medical sufficiency and legal correctness. Performed legal research into the laws, regulations, decisions, and other precedents bearing on the issues to ensure compliance with applicable laws, procedure manuals, Department of Labor (DOL) regulations, and current policy. Communicated with claimants and representatives to resolve inconsistencies and process inquiries. Referred claims to outside experts such as health physicists and District Medical Consultant to obtain medical opinions and guidance. Processed radiological exposure and related cancer claims to the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) for appropriate dose reconstruction. Adjudicated Special Exposure Cohort (SEC), beryllium, and hazardous toxin exposure claims. Drafted recommended decisions for the Final Adjudication Branch. Reviewed NIOSH supplied dose reconstruction and calculate percent of causation; process claims and draft appropriate recommended decisions. Accurately processed compensation payment transaction request forms. Reviewed and authorized advance travel requests for medical treatment and purchase requests for durable medical equipment. Adjudicated and approved consequential illness and injury claims; formulated decisions and judgments with reference to resolving claims. Communicated with treatment providers, medical bill payment contractors, employment verification representatives, and Department of Energy (DOE) officials as necessary.

In this position I proved my initiative in the timely completion of all assigned tasks, and my commitment to providing superior service. I was mindful of each claimant's right to due process and respected the needs presented by their circumstances. I was assigned to the position of co-located claims examiner, working as a liaison between the Seattle District Office and the Final Adjudication Branch. In all performance appraisals I received during my tenure in the Department of Labor, I exceeded the described level of performance in the element of communication and customer service. I was honored with 2 Commendations for Outstanding Public Service.

03/05 - 05/06; DATG Attorney; $30 per hour; Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Preston Gates Ellis LLP; Seattle, WA

Supervisor: Jennifer LaVielle; 206-***-****; may not contact

Document Analysis Technology Group (DATG). Analyzed documents produced in complex litigation. Reviewed documents for responsiveness to requests for production and presence of privilege issues. Used specialized computer system to extract, categorize and compile data on matters at issue. Completed all assignments on a timely basis.

09/04 - 03/05; Contract Attorney; Stoel Rives LLP; Seattle, WA

Supervisor: Wynn Kerr; 206-***-****; may contact

Maintained working knowledge of all laws relevant to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) in order to provide technical research, analysis, and drafting support for all areas of the firm's Employee Benefits Section. Performed legal research: completed over 50 research projects covering tax issues, employee benefit plans, tax-exempt organizations, health and welfare plans, employee discipline, contract arbitration and qualified retirement plans. Drafted complex correspondence and other written work including manuals for health and retirement plans. Researched and prepared litigation reports, affidavits and other documents; wrote memorandums and legal briefs. Provided current information to staff concerning significant changes occurring in law and procedure.

06/01 - 04/04; Technical Project Manager; National Associates, Inc., N.W.; Seattle, WA

Supervisor: Michael B. Mallon; retired.

Restatement of 600 qualified retirement plans for compliance with Internal Revenue Code. Served as primary point of contact in Seattle office for company executives, clients, and the Internal Revenue Service. Supervised 1 paralegal; monitored progress of work completed and evaluated for accuracy. Maintained data regarding progress and presented weekly reports identifying successes and issues. Completed project on time and under budget.

Other duties included drafting plan amendments for qualified retirement plans and documents regarding the consolidation of plans after the merger of 2 or more employers. Conducted compliance reviews of takeover plans to determine what was needed to bring the plan into compliance with IRS laws and regulations. Responded to technical questions from plan administrators and employers; provided current information concerning significant changes occurring in law and procedure which affected operations. My excellent research skills quickly supplied practical answers to experienced administrators.

08/00 - 04/01; Member Tax Staff; Bader Martin Ross & Smith; Seattle, WA

Supervisor: Kristi Mathisen; 206-***-****; may not contact

Obtained all documentation, evaluated its sufficiency, and completed processing of tax returns, affidavits and other documents for individuals, corporations, gifts, estates, and pension and profit sharing plans. Taught in-house training class for accountants on gift tax return preparation; provided current information concerning significant changes occurring in tax law.

04/00 - 08/00; Contract Attorney; King County Prosecutor, Civil Division; Seattle, WA

Supervisor: Sally Bagshaw; no contact information available

Performed document review, research, investigation, and strategy development on a case involving a financial software system replacement program. Examined laws, regulations, decisions, and other precedents bearing on the legal issues involved. Prepared litigation reports, affidavits, legal memoranda and other documents. In addition to preparation of summary reports, also explained issues and findings to management in an understandable manner.

04/1983 - 04/1995; Senior Counsel; SAFECO Life Insurance Company (now Symetra), Life Legal Dept.; Redmond, WA

Supervisor: George Pagos; retired

Analyzed laws, regulations, decisions, and other precedents bearing on the legal issues involving pension plans. Acquired and maintained working knowledge of all laws relevant to compliance of Pension Department products and processes. These laws included ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code, Department of Labor laws and regulations, those of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and all state insurance department laws and regulations. Provided written guidance and technical advice to management with respect to application of the law to insurance products and processes. Represented the department in management meetings. Made oral presentations to management, other internal staff, and agents. Trained, supervised, and mentored staff attorney; monitored and reviewed attorney's work product and workload. Managed all Pension related out-of-state litigation and settlement of all Pension related claims. Prepared litigation reports, affidavits, legal memoranda and other documents to assist the department in product filings. Drafted all annuity contracts that served as funding vehicles for qualified pension and profit sharing plans. Amended prototype pension and profit sharing plan documents and filed them with the IRS for review and approval. Filed variable annuity contracts with the SEC. Drafted supporting prospectus documents and amended them as needed. This project required that various executives and attorneys both inside and outside the company work together. Provided current information to the field personnel concerning significant changes occurring in law and procedure, which affected operations. My excellent interpersonal relationship skills and ability to bring people together allowed the amendment of each prospectus to proceed smoothly.

TRAINING & COURSEWORK

Social Security Administration Attorney Advisor Training for new Office of Disability and Adjudication Review in Auburn Washington

Veterans Benefits Academy, Leesburg, Virginia, 4 week national centralized training for Rating Veterans Service Representatives across the country

Seattle Art Institute; Seattle, WA; "The Art of Cooking;" a 40-hour class; October 2009

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

Department of Labor; 2 Commendations for Outstanding Public Service; 9/11/06 and 2/8/08

EDUCATION

University of Washington School of Law; Seattle, WA; Master of Laws in Taxation; 1999

Seattle University School of Law; Seattle, WA; Juris Doctor; 1981

University of Washington; Seattle, WA; Bachelor of Arts; 1978

Washington State University; Pullman, WA; Double-majored in Political Science and French; 129 semester credits earned at WSU, then transferred and graduated from UW; 9/1974 - 5/1977

Holy Names Academy High School; Seattle, WA; Graduated 1974

MEMBERSHIPS & AFFILIATIONS

Washington State Bar Association

Seattle Ladies Choir-2nd Alto

VOLUNTEER WORK

2006 to present; serve as a reader in church.

1996 - 2006; school commission Holy Family Parish, Kirkland, WA

1983 -1995; Safeco Life Insurance Company; various corporate community involvement projects.

1979; Legal Intern; Volunteer Position; Puget Sound Legal Assistance Foundation; Tacoma, WA; John Leach, supervising attorney; (no contact information available)

Responsible for initial client interview. Summarized issues and presented to managing attorney.

1966 - 1970; Polish Home Association; Seattle, WA; Promotion of Polish culture through performance arts and crafts.

CERTIFICATIONS & LICENSES

Member of the Washington State Bar Association since 1982

LANGUAGES

Polish and French

TECHNICAL SKILLS

Hardware: Can use both a Mac and PC.

Software: Proficient with Word, Excel and Outlook

REFERENCES

David Ronquillo

Manager