Misty Carroll

As a Paralegal Specialist/ Decision Writer, with Social Security Administration Office of Hearing and Appeals, I was involved in the legal writing stage of the hearing level process. I also participated in legal research for multiple laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures associated with our Agency for all districts and circuits in the United States. I used extensive analyzation skills in the evaluation of each case as they are all different.

I had to timely change gears for each case as I prepared work for multiple areas. I am independently accurate, efficient, and factual with all legal matters. I reviewed all claims, process information and craft decisions in adjudicating even highly complex cases to produce a final determination.

I also assisted my co-workers and Judges with trainings on new procedures, projects, and technical issues that may have arisen throughout the process. I have experience in writing formal reports to clients, attorneys, and other affiliates. I recommended legal actions with respect to changes in State and Federal components.

I produced legally defensible determinations while supported by the evidence to address all legal aspects of the cases. I demonstrated strong interpersonal, oral and written communication skills via interactions with clients, co-workers, supervisors, Judges, attorneys, and court staff. I drafted documents grammatically and technically correct determinations and provided a supportive rationale for the findings based on the evidence and relevant issues of the claims.

My previous performance achievements have indicated that I maintain a positive and productive working relationship with others and conduct myself professionally. I consistently treat others with courtesy and respect. I communicate effectively, listen and respond appropriately to feedback from others.

I completed my assigned work in a timely manner. I consistently provided support in all areas as our office, as we served by being one of the highest producing offices in our district. I can adapt to changes in the office.

I am eager to work toward goals and improvement. I consistently produce my fair share of work in a timely manner. I am a dedicated employee and give 100% while on the job. I demonstrated skills and ability to provide a successful level of high-quality performance.

I have skills to express ideas and conclusions in clear and logical terms. I am able to analyze, summarize, evaluate and resolve discrepancies in routine and complex situations or problems that may arise. I exercise due diligence in my own development in all situations and conduct myself with character, courtesy, discretion, and professional manner while using adaptability to improve my efficiency in my work.

Paralegal Specialist - Office of Hearing Operations (OHO), formerly Office of Disability, Adjudication and Review (ODAR) - Tupelo, MS

(2014-12 - 2023-02)

As a Paralegal Specialist with the Office of Hearing Operations (OHO), formerly the Office of Disability, Adjudication and Review (ODAR), I am involved in the writing stage of the hearing level process. With my past experience, I had previously learned SSA’s disability programs and took part in the analysis and evaluation of cases. I reviewed Title II and Title XVI disability claims in an attempt to expedite the hearing process for the claimant.

As a writer, I was able to draft decisions to the best of my ability, again for the benefit of the claimant. I addressed each claim and disability issue with legally sufficient decisions, while assisting my co-workers and ALJ’s with issues that would arise throughout the process. I became a writer in 2014 in the Tupelo office.

Since that time, I have pulled my weight or fair share within our writing unit. I have worked very hard, for the benefit of our office and the claimant. Daily, I am assigned favorable, partially favorable, as well as complex unfavorable cases, to which I take on each case, one-by-one to produce a legally sufficient decision.

A majority of the decisions contain voluminous records involving complex issues. I have experi

Sr. Case Technician (SCT) - Office of Disability, Adjudication and Review - Tupelo, MS

(2011-01 - 2014-12)

I demonstrated skills and ability to provide a successful level of high quality performance. My understanding of the SSA benefit programs under Titles II, XVI and XVIII enabled me to facilitate effective communication with Claimants, Representatives, Attorney, Congressional Offices, Vocational and Medical Experts, and other relevant parties both prior to and after hearings. I communicated pertinent information as well as assisted with understanding issues relating to the hearing process based on Social Security Administration law, regulations and policies.

I navigated the wealth of information, and most accurately replied to the extensive group of professionals and participants involved in this process regarding a broad range of inquiries and I discharged these duties with great alacrity. My resourcefulness in communicating effectively enabled me to ensure that I maintained efficiency and productivity both within my job and the office setting as a whole. I have extensive skills of the Privacy and Freedom of Information Acts, which I utilized when determining whether material requested should be released to anyone other than the Claimant or Representative.

I demonstrated my ability

Bankruptcy Paralegal - Bancorp South Bank - Tupelo, MS

(2001-09 - 2007-09)

I was responsible for setting up files on Excel spreadsheets on each customer or customers that may have filed bankruptcy. I prepared correspondence in an acceptable style and format to the Debtor’s attorney as well as the US Bankruptcy Court. I filed all claims and reaffirmations agreements for Chapters 7, 11, 12 and 13 cases.

I handled all branches of Bancorp South, including, MS, TN, AR, AL, TX & FL. I was responsible for researching case law for each state, by obtaining the rules of each state and their rules and regulations. I reviewed, analyzed, summarized and investigated all accounts the customers had with the bank and filed each claim for the benefit of the bank.

I had to answer calls from the public and refer to the appropriate person. I had extensive communication with attorneys, judges, Trustees and court staff to resolve any issues. I was required to prepare or compose reports or memos in an acceptable style and format and present correspondence, agreements, or orders that I developed to the appropriate party.

Along with my daily duties, 1-2 days per a week, I would travel and represent the bank at 341 Creditors meetings to address the debtors or debtors’ attorney on a

Legal Assistant - American Family Law Ctr - Tupelo, MS

(2001-02 - 2001-09)

I was responsible for preparing new cases for the office, doing legal research, gathering, analyzing and evaluating data and information, drawing conclusions, developing solutions and making recommendations of the case law for the attorney. Along with preparing the attorney for hearings, making flight arrangements and hotel arrangements for the attorney. I was responsible for organizing and maintaining the case files, answer calls or visiting clients by responding to a variety of inquires from in person or by telephone adapting to the response to the individuals' level of understanding.

I had to investigate, analyze, summarize and identify conflicts and solve problems, as well as becoming famliar with complex laws and regulations that govern each states juridictional changes. We handled cases in all 50 states; therefore, I had to intrepret and apply the laws, regulations and the policies of each state. I prepared all correspondenace, legal briefs, opinions and appeals in an acceptable style and format by using the case law and facts of the case with sound review and investigation of each case for the attorney.

I had to help make suggestions to improve the systems and was an office

Legal Assistant - Christopher & Byers, PLLC - Tupelo, MS

(1997-05 - 2001-02)

I was the sole assistant, paralegal and secretary. I was responsible for meeting with new clients, setting up files, drafting and preparing all legal documents associated with each case. I coordinated and initiated each project and workload within appropriate times.

I would prepare all reports and correspondence in an acceptable style and format (i.e. divorce proceedings, adoption proceedings, reports, interrogatories, legal briefs, opinons or appeals, etc.) I was responsible for organizing and maintaining the case files, answer calls or visiting clients by responding to a variety of inquires from in person or by telephone adapting to the response to the individuals' level of understanding. I would contact clients, other attorneys, Judges, and court clerks to work out issue that would arise. I also assisted the attorneys in court proceedings.

I independantly performed work with many processing systems, to include, Word, Power Point, Excel, Access and Outlook. I also independatly worked in Pacer Electronic Court Systems. I independantly work with analyzing, problem solving and oral and written communications.

I had to help make suggestions to improve the systems and was an office re

Bachelor of Science - Paralegal Studies - Mississippi University for Women (1997-01 - Present)

n/a - Managing Multiple Priorities - University of Mississippi (2010-01 - 2010-01)

n/a - Legal Writing and Analytical Reasoning Skills - University of Mississippi (2009-01 - 2009-01)

n/a - Medical Terminology - University of Mississippi (2009-01 - 2009-01)

n/a - Legal Assistants Seminar - University of Mississippi (2007-01 - 2007-01)

n/a - Technical Writing Skills - Itawamba Community College (2007-01 - 2007-01)

n/a - Mississippi Bankruptcy Conference Seminar - University of Mississippi (2004-01 - 2006-01)

Associate of Arts - Paralegal Studies - Itawamba Community College (1998-01 - 2000-01)

n/a - Litigation Practice Skills for Paralegals Seminar - University of Mississippi (1997-01 - 1997-01)

n/a - Mississippi Discovery Skills for Paralegals Seminar - University of Mississippi (1997-01 - 1997-01)