Judy L. Smith-Ballard
Salisbury,NC
Summary
Legal support professional with extensive experience in law firms and corporate healthcare. Demonstrated expertise in streamlining workflows and managing sensitive information. Proven track record in coordinating client interactions, leading to enhanced operational efficiency and high levels of client satisfaction.
Overview
1
1
Certification
38
38
years of professional experience
Work History
Legal Practice Assistant
Moore & Van Allen PLLC
Charlotte, North Carolina
09.2004 - Current
- Administer daily legal and administrative assistance to attorneys while safeguarding sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
- Manage client meetings, attorney sessions, seminars, and corresponding logistics.
- Drafted and prepared correspondence for estate planning clients.
Created expense reports to maintain accurate financial records.
Compiled comprehensive estate planning documents for client review.
Organized client binders to streamline document retrieval and management. - Optimize attorney billing information management to ensure accurate and prompt billing workflows.
- Set up and maintain new client files and related records.
- Organize and submit corporate and estate documents to multiple Secretary of States and estate courts.
- Acquire tax identification numbers from IRS.
- Facilitate gift tax return processing for attorney review and IRS submission.
Insurance Claims Specialist
NorthEast Medical Center
Concord, North Carolina
11.2003 - 09.2004
- Administered corporate insurance claims for workers’ compensation, professional liability, and general liability, supporting a workforce of over 3500 employees.
- Coordinated management of corporate insurance portfolio, overseeing coverage applications, terminations, and renewals.
- Maintained workers’ compensation databases and compiled OSHA logs to ensure regulatory compliance.
- Composed written and verbal communications for attorneys, physicians, and various management tiers.
- Worked closely with general counsel on various legal projects to ensure compliance and alignment with corporate policies.
- Participated in hospital committees to contribute to policy discussions and improve operational practices.
Paralegal
Wallace and Graham, P.A.
Salisbury, North Carolina
07.1999 - 11.2003
- Supported attorneys in legal research, discovery, and trial preparation for third-party asbestos and civil litigation, contributing to case readiness.
- Composed and organized pleadings, discovery documents, correspondence, and various legal documents.
- Conducted client interviews and guided clients through various legal issues, enhancing client understanding and engagement.
- Maintained tickler files to ensure adherence to deadlines, facilitating smooth case progress.
- Oversaw multiple databases serving a client base exceeding 4000 active clients.
Legal Secretary
McGuire, Woods, Battle & Boothe, LLP
Charlotte, North Carolina
09.1996 - 07.1999
- Provided daily attorney support for sensitive and confidential matters in securities mergers and acquisitions and transactional law, ensuring compliance and timely execution.
- Drafted correspondence and corporate documentation, including UCC filings, articles of incorporation, bylaws, and corporate resolutions, facilitating legal processes and maintaining organizational standards.
- Assisted with legal analysis, file initiation, and client accounting, contributing to effective case management and client service.
Paralegal
Rayburn, Moon & Smith
Charlotte, North Carolina
06.1995 - 09.1996
- Assisted attorneys with legal research, discovery, and trial preparation to ensure thorough case preparation.
- Drafted correspondence and legal documents supporting Chapter 7 and Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings and civil litigation.
- Served as primary liaison, facilitating communication between firm, judges, and court personnel.
- Developed firm directory and collaborated with paralegal on client billing processes to enhance operational efficiency.
Legal Assistant / Paralegal
Dean & Gibson
Charlotte, North Carolina
08.1993 - 06.1995
- Delivered strategic litigation support across civil litigation insurance defense and aviation law.
- Drafted legal documents and correspondence while supporting attorneys with legal research, discovery, and trial preparation.
- Conducted client interviews to gather relevant information for legal cases, firm directory development, and paralegal time billing.
Legal Secretary
Blair Conaway Bograd & Martin
Charlotte, North Carolina
07.1992 - 08.1993
- Supported attorneys in conducting legal research and preparing for trials.
- Composed correspondence and legal documents supporting civil litigation.
- Supported clients in multiple areas, improving overall satisfaction.
Established and organized files to ensure efficient client record management.
Handled client billing procedures to streamline payment processes.
Legal Secretary
Petree Stockton
Charlotte, North Carolina
04.1988 - 07.1992
- Prepared correspondence and legal documents for civil litigation and corporate law, ensuring compliance with legal standards.
- Supported attorneys with legal research, discovery, trial preparation, and special projects.
- Facilitated client support across multiple inquiries and issues.
Established new client files to enhance organizational efficiency.
Processed client billing to ensure timely payments and accurate records.
Education
Paralegal Certificate -
American Institute For Paralegal Studies, Inc.
Charlotte, North Carolina07-1994
Executive Secretarial Science Diploma -
King’s College
Charlotte, North Carolina04-1984
Skills
- Legal document preparation
- Case management
- Records management
- Workflow management
- Project coordination
- Attention to detail
- Problem solving
- Team collaboration
Certification
- North Carolina State Bar Certified Paralegal, 2006
- North Carolina Notary Public
Timeline
Legal Practice Assistant
Moore & Van Allen PLLC
09.2004 - Current
Insurance Claims Specialist
NorthEast Medical Center
11.2003 - 09.2004
Paralegal
Wallace and Graham, P.A.
07.1999 - 11.2003
Legal Secretary
McGuire, Woods, Battle & Boothe, LLP
09.1996 - 07.1999
Paralegal
Rayburn, Moon & Smith
06.1995 - 09.1996
Legal Assistant / Paralegal
Dean & Gibson
08.1993 - 06.1995
Legal Secretary
Blair Conaway Bograd & Martin
07.1992 - 08.1993
Legal Secretary
Petree Stockton
04.1988 - 07.1992
Paralegal Certificate -
American Institute For Paralegal Studies, Inc.
Executive Secretarial Science Diploma -
King’s College