Chiquetta Simmons
North Charleston,SC
Summary
Result-driven leader with extensive experience in financial management, strategic planning, and operational execution. Proven track record in developing and executing innovative strategies to drive organizational growth. Encompass strong interpersonal skills, collaborative mindset and unwavering commitment to excellence. Highly motivated, knowledgeable, and experienced professional with a strong desire to accept challenges. Key attributes and skills consist of twenty-three (23) years of experience as a Paralegal in various fields of the law and thirteen (13) years of experience in financial management serving as a Federal Fiduciary and Conservator.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
Work History
CEO/Founder
Carolina Fiduciary Services, LLC
10.2013 - Current
- Actively appointed to and managing 140 Fiduciary cases for South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida
- Utilization of beneficiaries VA benefit funds under management for care, support, education, health, physical and mental welfare of beneficiary
- Ensure that any best-interest determination regarding VA funds is consistent with VA policy, which recognizes that beneficiaries in fiduciary program are entitled to Protect beneficiary’s VA benefits from loss or diversion and/or claims of creditors
- Obtain corporate surety bond for beneficiary’s that have $25,000.00 or more in funds
- Determine beneficiary’s monthly expenses and prioritize monthly expenses based on critical needs first
- Submit annual accountings per client by itemizing receipt of benefits, deposits and expenditures for compliance and auditing purposes.
- Develop policies and procedures to govern full operation of organization
- Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, field examiners, families of Veterans, elderly advocates, vendors, creditors, government agencies, and social workers.
Conservator
Family Services, Inc. dba Origin SC
03.2010 - 08.2013
- Managed financial affairs by paying bills and ensuring suitable budgets for incapacitated adults or minor child of 100+ cases in Charleston, Dorchester, and Berkeley County
- Researched, secured, and protected bank accounts, liquid assets, pensions, benefits, real property, and personal property of incapacitated adult
- Field work to include visiting incapacitated adults, assessing real/personal property and reporting inventory of items
- Worked with Attorney’s, Guardians, Guardian Ad Litem, Judges, Judicial staff, elderly advocates, law enforcement and families to protect interest and assets of incapacitated adult or minor child
- Established titled Conservator bank accounts to secure benefits of incapacitated adult and re-directing direct deposit to new account
- Managed accounts and investments observing confidentiality, and extreme discretion
- Prepared Petitions for approval for expenditures on behalf of incapacitated adult Prepared for and attended hearings in Probate Court to testify to findings of concern pertaining to incapacitated adult affairs.
Chief Executive Assistant/Independent Paralegal Contractor
Lustig Consulting, LLC
08.2009 - 03.2010
- Served as Executive Assistant to CEO of company, manage calendar of scheduling of depositions, trial testimonies, appointments/teleconferences with clients, attorneys and physicians for confirmation of future medical needs pursuant to catastrophic injury
- Corresponded with clients, attorneys and paralegals regarding case status, and communicates pertinent information to clients via phone, email, and mail
- Served as medical coder and legal nurse assistant for catastrophic injuries and personal injuries cases
- Managed chart of cases from beginning to submission of product, date received, TAT and submission of final product of life care plan or cost projection
- Reviewed medical records from date of injury to present treatment, put in chronological order and prepare narrative/summary
- Correspond with clients, attorneys, and paralegals regarding case status.
Paralegal Level III
Motley Rice LLC
12.2005 - 08.2009
- Assisted litigation attorney with new clients, maintain files involving each individual case that include, correspondences to defense counsel, medical providers, and clients to preparing, settlement statements and/or preparing cases for litigation
- Lead Paralegal for major pharmaceutical cases from initial interview to settlement or trial Maintained ongoing communication with attorneys and clients from point of referral to discovery/trial phase, facilitating and expediting case settlements
- Prepared Motions, Complaints, Drafts, Requests, Responses, Pleadings, Orders and Notices of filing of pleadings (requests or responses) in state and federal cases
- Liaison between attorneys, clients, judiciary staff, healthcare providers, insurance carriers, law firms and government agencies Legal research to find applicable laws, regulations and legal precedents involving Lexis Nexis, Westlaw, and Pacer to provide counsel with thorough research
- Assisted in preparation of settlement proposals and agreements to help attorneys negotiate settlement in best interest of client
- Examined and generated memos on statutory law, case law and federal and state regulations using online research databases, such as Westlaw and print sources
- Managed scheduling of court calendars and deadlines to maintain smooth flow of firm operations
Free-Lance Paralegal
Ricky Morris, Esq. Family Court/Entertainment Law
01.2003 - 05.2008
Paralegal
Steinberg Law Firm (Personal Injury/Worker's Comp)
06.2005 - 12.2005
Paralegal
Fulton County Public Defender (Criminal Law)
09.2000 - 06.2005
Paralegal
Whatley & Associates (Personal Injury/Criminal Law
06.1998 - 09.2000
Legal Secretary
Sottile & Hopkins, LLP (Real Estate Law)
01.1997 - 06.1998
Paralegal/Intern Supervisor
Charleston County Public Defender
11.1992 - 12.1996
Legal Secretary/Paralegal Intern
Judge William L. Howard & Judge Richard E. Fields
05.1992 - 11.1992
Education
Bachelor of Science : Business Management -
Southern Wesleyan University
Central, SC05.2011
Legal Assistant -
Watterson Business College
Charleston, SC05.1992
Skills
- Analytical and Critical Thinking
- Decision-Making
- Written Communication
- Organization and Time Management
- Problem-Solving
- Self-Motivated
- Multitasking Abilities
- Detail Oriented
- Planning and Coordination
- Dependable and Responsible
- Teamwork and Collaboration
Accomplishments
- President of the Charleston Association of Legal Assistants (CALA)
- Member of the Trident Technical College Paralegal Program Advisory Committee
- Nominated as Paralegal Superstar 2009 by Paralegal Gateway 1 out of 12 in the country
- SC/NC Lawyers Weekly interview in March/April 2008 Edition
- Motley Rice University (MRU) Instructor “What is Litigation?”
Timeline
CEO/Founder
Carolina Fiduciary Services, LLC
10.2013 - Current
Conservator
Family Services, Inc. dba Origin SC
03.2010 - 08.2013
Chief Executive Assistant/Independent Paralegal Contractor
Lustig Consulting, LLC
08.2009 - 03.2010
Paralegal Level III
Motley Rice LLC
12.2005 - 08.2009
Paralegal
Steinberg Law Firm (Personal Injury/Worker's Comp)
06.2005 - 12.2005
Free-Lance Paralegal
Ricky Morris, Esq. Family Court/Entertainment Law
01.2003 - 05.2008
Paralegal
Fulton County Public Defender (Criminal Law)
09.2000 - 06.2005
Paralegal
Whatley & Associates (Personal Injury/Criminal Law
06.1998 - 09.2000
Legal Secretary
Sottile & Hopkins, LLP (Real Estate Law)
01.1997 - 06.1998
Paralegal/Intern Supervisor
Charleston County Public Defender
11.1992 - 12.1996
Legal Secretary/Paralegal Intern
Judge William L. Howard & Judge Richard E. Fields
05.1992 - 11.1992
Bachelor of Science : Business Management -
Southern Wesleyan University
Legal Assistant -
Watterson Business College
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