Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Websites
Certification
References
Timeline
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Sheree Matthews

Sheree Matthews

Florence,SC

Summary

Versatile Senior Support Professional with a background in managing cases, coordinating documents, and completing in-depth research to support work in multiple areas of law. Strengths include verbal and written communication, multitasking, and time management. Over 28 years of experience working in private, public, and organizational environments. Hardworking, organized, and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals.

Overview

25
25
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Corporate Paralegal

McLeod Health
02.2019 - Current
  • Support of the legal department's efficiency by improving and maintaining a comprehensive database for easy access to crucial documents.
  • Legal and administrative duties related to McLeod Health, its associated entities, and business partners, including contract and service agreement drafting and review
  • Working closely with attorneys to develop hospital system corporate policies and procedures and manage all physician-related contracts according to their specified terms and conditions
  • Successfully improved the contract drafting process, resulting in faster turnaround times for physician negotiations.
  • Management of the McLeod Health physician contract database including maintaining, storing, and documenting any changes in terms of all contracts and leases for associated entities of McLeod Health
  • Preparation and maintenance of reports and databases for the physician contracting department
  • Research and respond to patient complaints and potential claims
  • Conduct thorough legal research and analysis, providing valuable insight to various legal questions propounded by hospital departments
  • Expedite contract review process by creating templates tailored to specific physician types and/or compensation structure.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure compliance in key business transactions and contracts.

Senior Paralegal

Jenkinson, Kellahan, Thompson & Reynolds, PA
04.2010 - 01.2019
  • End-to-end case management
  • Performed client intake and witness interviews
  • Maintained communication with clients and court officials; performed file review, organization, and trial preparation as directed, with emphasis on identifying potential issues; conducted legal research; drafted pleadings, discovery requests, motions, etc.; assisted with estate planning and probate administration; assisted with personal injury and medical malpractice cases, criminal matters; as well as wrongful death and dram shop cases
  • Assisted attorneys in preparing for trials, leading to successful outcomes and client satisfaction.
  • Maintained up-to-date knowledge of legal developments by participating in continuing education programs and industry events.
  • Improved client relationships through clear communication and prompt response to inquiries.
  • Ensured compliance with court deadlines by closely monitoring schedules and assigning tasks accordingly.
  • Implemented best practices in managing large volumes of documents during complex litigation.
  • Managed all incoming correspondence from judges, court administrative staff, and opposing parties.
  • Coordinated settlement talks between counsel, defendants, and plaintiffs.
  • Coordinated with expert witnesses for accurate testimony preparation and presentation at trial.
  • Cultivated a strong network of industry professionals that facilitated collaboration on various cases and projects.
  • Mentored junior paralegals, contributing to their professional development and growth.
  • Prepared legal briefs, motions, and pleadings.
  • Managed scheduling of court calendars and deadlines to maintain smooth flow of firm operations.
  • Edited and proofread legal documents to verify accuracy.
  • Maintained and updated organized client contact information to keep in touch with clients and provide updates on cases.
  • Assisted counsel in preparing answers, providing documentation, and information for discovery request.
  • Liaised with other paralegals and legal staff to complete common tasks on schedule.
  • Helped attorneys prepare for trial by organizing exhibits and calling on witnesses to testify at hearings.
  • Summarized depositions, legal documents and other material to provide attorney with relevant material for cases.
  • Communicated pertinent information to clients via phone, email, and mail.
  • Revised and finalized letters, briefs, and memos.
  • Researched statutes, decisions, legal articles, and codes.
  • Reviewed, edited and proofread litigation for proper grammar, spelling and punctuation.
  • Reviewed Deed of Trust, Title Commitment, and prior bankruptcies documents.
  • Reviewed medical records for insurance and personal injury claims; provided an initial review of client billing; coordinated attorney and witness travel; and coordinated scheduling with courts, clerks, attorneys, and government agencies
  • Additional responsibilities included handling of attorney's personal business account management, rental properties, travel arrangements, etc.

Administrative Assistant to Judge

SC Judicial Department
01.2006 - 04.2010
  • Calendar management which included scheduling hearings and conferences and coordination of travel and continuing education events
  • Office management, including department finances, ordering of supplies, and scheduling of meeting venues
  • Liaison between attorneys, courthouse staff, and judges.
  • Promoted a positive work environment through effective communication skills and fostering professional relationships among colleagues.
  • Received and sorted incoming mail and packages to record, dispatch, or distribute
  • Coordinated office supply inventory management, proactively ordering necessary items before depletion to avoid workflow disruptions.
  • Managed phone and email correspondence and handled incoming and outgoing mail and faxes.
  • Answered multi-line phone system, routing calls, delivering messages to staff and greeting visitors.
  • Maintained confidentiality of sensitive information by adhering to strict privacy policies and implementing secure filing systems.

Paralegal/Administrative Legal Assistant

Nettles, Turbeville & Reddeck, PA
09.1999 - 01.2006
  • Attorney support and case management
  • Reduced attorney workload by drafting routine legal documents such as pleadings, motions, and affidavits.
  • Enhanced case efficiency by organizing and maintaining legal documents, files, and correspondence.
  • Managed scheduling of court calendars and deadlines to maintain smooth flow of firm operations.
  • Contributed to firm-client relationship building through professional interactions with clients during meetings or phone calls, conveying empathy while maintaining confidentiality.
  • Communicated with clients, opposing counsel, and court personnel to keep all parties informed on case updates.
  • Maintained and updated organized client contact information to keep in touch with clients and provide updates on cases.
  • Streamlined communication between clients and legal staff by managing client inquiries promptly and professionally.
  • Facilitated timely and accurate billing by recording billable hours, expenses, and other relevant information in firm's billing system.
  • Communicated pertinent information to clients via phone, email, and mail.
  • Contacted clients to schedule appointments and discuss progress of cases.
  • Revised and finalized letters, briefs, and memos.
  • Reviewed, edited, and proofread litigation for proper grammar, spelling and punctuation.
  • Strengthened client relationships through prompt response to inquiries ensuring their needs were met and concerns addressed.
  • Facilitated smooth daily operations by coordinating office schedules, managing supply inventory, and addressing technical issues as needed.
  • Developed positive rapport with opposing counsel assistants promoting collaboration during discovery process leading to smoother negotiations.
  • Filed court documents and legal pleadings with court clerk on behalf of attorneys.
  • Organized documents to manage paper and electronic filing systems of clients.
  • Scheduled appointments, court appearances, and depositions
  • Prepared and managed attorney travel itineraries to optimize scheduling.
  • Completed data entry of legal documents into electronic filing systems.
  • Prepared and processed invoices for attorney billing
  • Developed and maintained positive relationships with clients and colleagues.

Education

Paralegal Program - Paralegal Studies

Florence-Darlington Technical College
Florence, SC

Bachelor of Arts - Liberal Arts And General Studies

Francis Marion University
Florence, SC
12.2009

Skills

  • Highly organized individual who thrives on overcoming challenges and working toward positive results
  • Dedicated and hard-working professional who exhibits excellence in communication, organization, management, planning, and problem-solving
  • Team player focused on accomplishing tasks in the most efficient, productive, and ethical manner
  • Manages multiple priorities and meets tight deadlines while maintaining quality and accuracy
  • Legal Research, data collection, document preparation, and review
  • Attorney-Client Communication and Support, as well as Case Management
  • Proficient in MS Office, legal research, and billing systems
  • Attention to Detail, effective Multitasking, and Workload Management
  • Critical thinking and problem-solving
  • Notary Public for South Carolina

Certification

  • PROFESSIONAL LEGAL SECRETARY/CERTIFIED LEGAL PROFESSIONAL (PLS/CLP) - National Paralegal Certification, NALS – The Association for Legal Professionals
  • SOUTH CAROLINA CERTIFIED PARALEGAL (CP) – Certified through the SC Bar Association

References

  • Angela Stukes, Director of Physician Recruitment and Retention, McLeod Health, Florence, SC, astukes@mcleodhealth.org
  • William E. “Billy” Jenkinson, III, Esquire, Jenkinson, Jarrett & Kellahan, PA, Kingstree, SC, billyjenkinson@jenkinsonlaw.com
  • The Honorable Michael G. Nettles, Resident Judge, 12th Judicial Circuit, Florence, SC, mnettlesj@sccourts.org
  • Janet Godwin Hicks, CPA, Hicks Guerry Group, PA, Lake City, SC, 843-374-3200w, 843-373-1561c
  • Lisa Castles, Physician Assistant, McLeod Primary Care Lake City, Lake City, SC, 843-519-2399w, 843-676-5868c
  • Drew Godwin, Division Chief, Lake City Fire Department, Lake City, SC, 843-373-9742c

Timeline

Corporate Paralegal

McLeod Health
02.2019 - Current

Senior Paralegal

Jenkinson, Kellahan, Thompson & Reynolds, PA
04.2010 - 01.2019

Administrative Assistant to Judge

SC Judicial Department
01.2006 - 04.2010

Paralegal/Administrative Legal Assistant

Nettles, Turbeville & Reddeck, PA
09.1999 - 01.2006

Paralegal Program - Paralegal Studies

Florence-Darlington Technical College

Bachelor of Arts - Liberal Arts And General Studies

Francis Marion University
Sheree Matthews