Ciera Small
Jacksonville,FL
Summary
Dynamic Paralegal with extensive experience at Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, adept in legal research and interviewing witnesses. Proven track record in improving case management efficiency and supporting settlement processes. Certified Victim Advocate with a knack for fostering client relations and achieving cost-effective service coordination.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Family Law Paralegal
Jacksonville Area Legal Aid
10.2021 - Current
- Gathered, organized and maintained case files.
- Managed communication between counsel, clients and court.
- Oversaw trial pleadings, notices, motions and discovery.
- Scheduled meetings, hearing, mediations, and settlement conferences.
- Assisted counsel in preparing answers, providing documentation, and information for discovery request.
Paralegal/Legal Assistant
Burney Bivens Law
12.2018 - 01.2020
- Prepared legal briefs, motions, and pleadings.
- Conducted detailed client intakes and entered information into company database.
- Conferred with clients and other involved parties to gather and track case information.
- Assisted counsel in preparing answers, providing documentation, and information for discovery request.
- Analyzed deeds of trust to verify grantor, grantee, trustee and loan amounts for executive leadership.
- Handled office scheduling and made notes for deadlines, motions, and other important dates.
Referral Specialist
Florida Spine Care
05.2017 - 10.2018
- Answered telephone calls to offer office information, answer questions, and direct calls to staff.
- Linked families to relevant community support to meet non-medical needs.
- Scheduled appointments with specialists on behalf of clients.
- Called insurance companies to get precertification and other benefits information on behalf of patients.
- Coordinated with medical staff and patients to find cost-effective options for services.
Appeals Coordinator
Value Options Federal Services (Tricare)
01.2016 - 09.2018
- Coordinated with senior specialist to compose appeal responses.
- Created, composed and maintained appeal response templates.
- Developed appeals functions, policies and procedures and documentation.
- Acted as a departmental resource on appeals matters.
- Review patient medical records and utilize clinical and regulatory knowledge and skills as well as knowledge of payer requirements to determine why cases are denied and whether an appeal is required.
- Prepare convincing appeal arguments, using pre-existing criteria sets and/or clinical evidence from existing library of clinical references and/or regulatory arguments, for an Administrative Law Judge hearing and participate in hearings by providing testimony, as necessary.
Education
High School Diploma -
Middleburg High School
Middleburg, FL05-2010
Skills
- Notary public
- Interviewing witnesses
- Settlement support
- Legal research
- Court transcription
Accomplishments
- Supported 3 high profile criminal defense attorneys.
- Achieved Employee of the Year at Tricare for effectively helping with clients and meeting needs of company above and beyond standards.
Certification
Certified Victim Advocate Training - March 2024 to current
Timeline
Family Law Paralegal
Jacksonville Area Legal Aid
10.2021 - Current
Paralegal/Legal Assistant
Burney Bivens Law
12.2018 - 01.2020
Referral Specialist
Florida Spine Care
05.2017 - 10.2018
Appeals Coordinator
Value Options Federal Services (Tricare)
01.2016 - 09.2018
High School Diploma -
Middleburg High School
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