CAREY JOHNSON
***** ********* ****** *****, ** **626 813-***-**** ********@*****.***
PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
15+ years’ Legal Secretary experience and in-depth knowledge of legal terminology and principles with specific expertise in the field of Personal Injury. Strong communicator, detail-oriented, and efficient in prioritizing and accurately completing tasks under looming deadlines. Core competencies include:
Client & Attorney Relations / Client Intakes / Summarizing Legal Documents / Records Research / Pleadings, Motions & Discovery / Summons & Complaints / Affidavits & Depositions / Calendar Management / Case Management / Filing Case Documents / Civil Litigation / Notary Public
Computer skills: Word, WP, Windows, Outlook, Explorer, Firefox, Pro Law, and Time Matters; type 80 WPM.
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
Legal Secretary, 03/2012 – 11/2013 Maney & Gordon, P.A., Tampa, FL
Reported directly to five attorneys; opened and directed files from pre-demand to settlement/ litigation, managing an average of 70 plaintiff personal injury cases.
Successfully interacted with clients, healthcare providers, insurance carriers, law firms, and various government entities in researching and obtaining case-relevant information.
Contributed to facilitating and expediting settlements that elicited 95% or higher of case specific award expectations. Recognized for outstanding client relations and organizational proficiencies.
Legal Secretary/Office Manager, 11/1999 – 07/2011 Rinaldo Law Group, Tampa, Florida
Maintained ongoing communication with clients and two firm attorneys from point of referral/ discovery to trial phase, effectively facilitating and expediting a 99% settlement rate.
Efficiently managed paraprofessional and legal research functions related to property damage and personal injury investigations for 70-100 active cases - with minimal supervision.
Prepared legal documents, pleadings, and requests. Obtained defendants’ driving histories, medical records, and previous, current, and future surgical histories/recommendations.
Assisted with hiring/training/supervising receptionists/secretaries and in preparing bank deposits and disbursements.
Often commended for effectively building and maintaining client relationships.
Additional experience includes 5 years as a Receptionist/Secretary for a Criminal Defense and Family Law practice, and at a General Law firm in South Carolina.
EDUCATION / CREDENTIALS / AFFILIATIONS
S.E. Director (501-c3 non-profit), 2008 – Present American Bulldog Rescue, Tampa, Florida
Notary Public, 1999 – Present State of Florida
Associate Degree: Psychology Dekalb College, Atlanta, Georgia
Served as Chairman of Student Activities for 2 years.