Laura A. Carstenson

*** ********* **** **** + Freehold, NJ 07728

Home: 732-***-**** + Cell: 908-***-**** + acvia2@r.postjobfree.com

Legal Department Office Manager with 18 Years Paralegal Experience

A self-motivated, results-oriented individual with more than 18 years of

experience in the Legal Profession. Background reflects skills and

accomplishments as both an Office Manager and a Paralegal with both

insurance defense and plaintiff experience. Other areas of expertise

include human resources issues, client relations, finance/book keeping and

payroll. Able to establish priorities, handle multiple projects

simultaneously and perform well under pressure. Proven ability to direct,

motivate and supervise personnel to achieve maximum productivity. Versatile

and dependable with strong leadership, problem-solving and decision-making

capabilities.

Professional Experience

LAW OFFICE OF CALLEGHER & MENSCHING,

Previously the Law Office of Edward Hoagland

Edison, NJ April 2011 to Present

In House Counsel for Farmers and 21st Century

Insurance Companies

Office Manager/Paralegal

As Office Manager, Responsible for providing secretarial and administrative

support to a managing attorney, supervising attorney and to the Edison

legal office work team (12 attorneys). I am the direct report supervisor of

legal secretaries, paralegals and other support staff. Duties include but

not limited to Supervise, coordinate and monitor activities and workflow of

legal office support staff in order to ensure accurate, quality work

product, in accordance with established production standards. Serve as IT,

HR and vendor liaison, and Pro Law coordinator. I provide orientation and

training of new hires and ongoing training of existing hires. Order office

supplies, process vendor invoices, Prepare management reports as directed

by managing attorney. Prepare and maintain all administrative records for

direct reports, including performance and salary reviews, and attendance

and disciplinary documentation. Act as liaison with other supervisors of

our other regional offices, such as the Mt Laurel Legal Office and all

claims offices throughout the Country.

As Paralegal, I provide all support on all of the Large Loss and Commercial

Files, including but not limited to., create, update, and prepare

correspondence, pleadings, briefs, memoranda, reports, using the Company's

legal case management software, Pro Law. Process and diary of the mail.

Schedule Depositions, IME's, corporate meetings, Trial Preparation,

Interrogatory summaries, Open, purge, retrieve, organize and close paper

legal files. Communicate with claims, clients, opposing counsel and the

courts. Provide other assistance as requested by managing attorney.

SHAPIRO & STERNLIEB, Morganville NJ

March 2009 - April 2011

Paralegal, Plaintiff work

PROFORMANCE INSURANCE COMPANY, Freehold, NJ Nov. 2004 - Oct.

2008

LAW OFFICES SCHACHTELE & MATTIA

Paralegal from 2004-2005 then promoted to Office Manager August 2005-

October 2008

Proformance Insurance Company was bought out by Palisades Insurance Co.

in September of 2008***

As Office Manager, Responsible for the overall management and coordination

of every day business operations for busy in-house insurance defense firm.

Developed and implemented operational policies, procedures and a new

computers system to optimize efficiency, productivity and customer

satisfaction. Supervised and directed activities of up to 24 employees,

including 15 support staff employees and 9 attorneys, to ensure that

project objectives were achieved; trained personnel in all phases of

company operations; interviewed, evaluated and hired prospective employees.

Other duties include payroll, attendance, all billing, book-keeping,

ordering supplies,

Laura A. Carstenson

Page 2

Professional Experience

(Continued)

technical support, computer issues, human resource issues, annual reviews,

dealing with all venders, in charge of assigning attorney new files, over

saw the everyday calendar events, preparation of various monthly and weekly

reports to managing attorney and vice president of the company, etc.

As Paralegal, worked for 6 attorneys performing insurance defense work,

working a file from inception to conclusion; including but not limited to,

preparing and drafting of all pleadings, interrogatories, all discovery

motions including summary judgment motions, reviewing and summarizing

medical records, heavy contact with client and the insurance adjuster.

LAW OFFICES OF HERBERT EILLIS, Freehold, NJ June 1999-

Nov. 2004

Paralegal, Office Administrator

KING, KITRICK, JACKSON & TRONCONE, Brick NJ March 1997-

June 1999

Insurance Defense Paralegal for Senior Partner

HURLEY & VASIOS, Short Hills, NJ June

1996-March 1997

Paralegal, Insurance Defense, for Medical and Legal Malpractice team

LAW OFFICES OF TERENCE VAN DZURA, Edison NJ January1996-

June 1996

Paralegal, Personal injury firm and general practice.

ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE, Trenton, NJ January

1995-June 1995

Tort Litigation- Paralegal Internship

Major Accomplishments:

. Developed and implemented a new computer system called Practice Master,

which was custom made for the Law Office of Schachtele & Mattia.

. Personally helped in the growth of the firm from a 10 person law office

in August of 2004 to a 24 person firm by 2005; including a calendar

department and mail clerk position.

. Achieved a high rate of retention (90%+) for the company employees;

established open lines of communication and created a team-oriented

environment.

Education

. Paralegal Studies, Brookdale Community College, Lincroft NJ 1992-1995

. High School Diploma, Jackson High School, Jackson NJ

Technical Skills

. Microsoft Word, Word Perfect, Excel Spread Sheets, Pro Law, Practice

Master, PC Law, Needles, Case Masters & Tabs, Time Slips, ADP Payroll, EZ

Labor, Quick Books, Outlook, West Law and Lexus Nexus.

** References and letters of recommendation furnished upon request.

Contact this candidate