PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Highly diverse Legal Assistant with extensive experience in small to mid-size law firms with expertise in various areas of law including: Social Security Disability, Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, Personal Injury, Workers’ Compensation, Real Estate Zoning and Ordinance, and Civil and Criminal Litigation. Consistently demonstrates initiative and analytical skills. Proficient user of MS Office, Google, WordPerfect, Ombudsman, Best Case, Juris, Quicken, Excel, Microsoft Project and Tabs. Results driven and detail-oriented with the ability to prioritize and organize tasks to meet challenging deadlines. Able to work effectively and professionally in complex situations. Completion of ICD-10 Medical Coding. Typing 70 wpm. Notary Public.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

WellStar West Georgia Medical Center July 2015 – Present

Non-Profit Hospital

LaGrange, GA

Administrative Assistant Executive Staff

Responsibilities include personal administrative assistant to the COO and CEO, providing administrative and clerical support as well as various other assignments including preparation of expense reports, maintain calendar, meetings and events, preparation of notebooks and coordination of travel arrangements as needed.

Responsible for the support, management and organization of annual hospice golf event fundraiser (Ely Callaway Golf Event) with profits in excess of $60,000 to benefit families who would not otherwise be able to afford end of life care.

Responsible for the support and management of Sims Scholarship program awarding approximately 15-20 scholarships annually with estimated cost of $600,000.

Responsible for the support and management of the eight RN-BSN Online Scholarship program at LaGrange College for employees of WellStar West Georgia Medical Center

Maintain corporate books and schedule annual/called meetings for several committees within the hospital.

Assisted with LEAN projects regarding a reduction in time to credential and onboard physicians.

Galloway & Lyndall, LLP May 2014 – April 2015

Environmental law firm specializing in utility and zoning law.

Griffin, Georgia

Paralegal/Office Manager

Managed day-to-day operations of law office including accounts payable/receivable, payroll, trust account, CLE credits and law library. Provided secretarial support and legal research for zoning, ordinance and PSC matters as well as other civil matters, drafted pleadings, maintain, open and close files.

Collaborated with other office personnel to identify areas of improvement regarding office efficiency and financial savings in excess of $25,000.

Increased collection of outstanding debts and worked with staff to set up electronic payments to increase cash flow.

Independently evaluated and managed Social Security claim files and secured local counsel to perform hearings.

Beck, Owen & Murray, P.C. June 2012- May 2014

Mid-sized law firm focused on insurance defense, real estate, local government law and civil/criminal matters.

Griffin, Georgia

Paralegal

Provided legal assistance/support to associate whose practice was largely Bankruptcy (Chapter 7), real estate and debt collection/garnishments. Screened/evaluated potential Social Security and Chapter 7 Bankruptcy claims, conducted interviews, filed applications, petitions and appeals and drafted pleadings associated with garnishments, dispossessory and other civil matters.

Created and established successful Social Security disability practice involving the development of marketing tools and networking within the local community to further expand areas of practice and clientele.

Improved office productivity by 75% by securing bankruptcy software.

Independently managed cases requiring collaboration with medical providers to secure medical documentation and independent medical evaluations.

Summarized and indexed medical records and depositions in preparation for trials/hearing.

Gary Flack & Associates, P.C. October, 2005 – May 2012

Atlanta, Georgia

Social Security law firm dedicated to representing disabled adults and/or children at the administrative and Federal court levels.

Paralegal

Managed and developed 350+ Social Security claim files which included screening and evaluation of potential claims. Scheduled appointments, conducted interviews, obtained relevant medical records, filed appeals and scheduled hearings.

Independently prepared legal briefs which resulted in favorable decisions in 25% of claims prior to administrative hearings.

Improved office efficiency by implementing electronic appeals, indexing medical records, and setting up electronic delivery of medical records resulting in the reduction of costs/expenses to clients as well as the expedition of decisions.

Summarized and thoroughly reviewed indexed medical records in conjunction with legal research to better prepare claims for administrative hearing and/or favorable decisions.

Affleck & Gordon, P.C. April 2002 – October 2005

Atlanta, Georgia

Mid-sized law firm specializing in representing plaintiffs in personal injury, workers’ compensation and Social Security disability.

Paralegal

Managed a satellite office and developed 250+ Social Security claim files which included screening and evaluation of potential claims. Scheduled appointments, conducted interviews, obtained relevant medical records, filed appeals and scheduled hearings.

Independently explored and initiated implementation of electronic appeals.

Worked closely with medical providers to secure medical documentation and/or consultative examinations and indexed medical records.

Drafted legal briefs in support of favorable decisions and filed appeals.

Meadows & Lewis, P.C. March 2001 – April 2002

Stockbridge, Georgia

Mid-sized law firm specializing in healthcare, corporate and EEOC law.

Legal Assistant to Senior Partner

Assisted Senior Partner in all phases of litigation, including analysis, distribution and maintenance of case documents, client files and witness data for the corporate defense of national trucking company, corporate clients, and medical facilities. Obtained local counsel for national claims of corporate clients and coordinated defense with various counsel, insurance adjusters and medical staff.

Initiated the network of PC files to avoid work duplication and minimize potential conflicts of interest.

Researched, secured, and analyzed document production, developed factual chronologies, managed trial notebooks and trial support.

Managed corporate books, scheduled annual meetings, and prepared minutes.

Charles J. Durrance, P.C. January 1986 – February 2001

Atlanta, Georgia

General practitioner specializing in Social Security disability, criminal defense, personal injury, workers’ compensation and other general areas of law.

Legal Assistant/Office Manager

Managed day-to-day operation of office and provided secretarial and legal assistance to two sole practitioners.

Drafted and filed pleadings, appeals, briefs and other court-related documents for civil/domestic, personal injury, criminal defense (local, US Court), workers’ compensation, Social Security Disability claims and appeals through the Georgia Supreme Court as well as nominal immigration, debt collection, real estate, probate and wills.

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