Nancy Barnes
social circle
Summary
Dynamic Legal Specialist with extensive experience at the Social Security Administration Disability Court Hearing, adept at legal analysis and document management. Proven track record in streamlining processes, enhancing team performance, and delivering effective training. Skilled in client communication and legal writing, ensuring compliance and accuracy in all legal documentation.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Legal Specialist
Social Security Administration, SSA
09.2010 - Current
- Analyzes legal documents to ensure compliance with federal regulations and policies.
- Reviews claims for accuracy, identifying discrepancies and recommending corrective actions.
- Coordinates hearings, preparing relevant materials and supporting case presentations effectively.
- Mentores junior staff on legal procedures and best practices, enhancing team performance.
- Performs examination and processing of assorted legal documents.
- Deliveres in-house training sessions on key legal topics, increasing staff awareness of relevant laws and regulations.
- Drafts clear and concise correspondence for staff communication, ensuring understanding of complex legal concepts.
- Supports Administrative Law Judges during hearings by organizing exhibits, contacting claimants, and reviewing evidence.
- Administers legal reporting, maintaining court schedules and supporting case preparation.
- Manages a diverse caseload efficiently, prioritizing tasks based on urgency and importance.
- Streamlines internal processes for efficiency, resulting in reduced research time and faster case resolution.
- Implements best practices in document management, enhancing organization and accessibility of critical files.
- Participates in professional development opportunities to stay current with industry trends and legislative updates.
- Manages scheduling of court calendars and deadlines to maintain smooth flow of hearing operations.
- Edits and proofreads legal documents to verify accuracy.
- Communicates with claimants, counsel and hearing personnel to keep all parties informed on case updates.
- Prepares legal briefs, motions, and pleadings.
- Communicates pertinent information to clients via phone, email, and mail.
- Interviewes claimants to obtain information relevant to cases.
- Explains to claimants the types of documents necessary to facilitate timely processing of hearings and aids in obtaining and completing such documents and forms
- Answers and explains to claimants ALJ Decisions and reasons for the decisions made by SSA and communicates the information both orally and in writing to the claimants and representatives
- Performs legal research utilizing HALLEX
- Prepares regular progress reports about workload, workflow, and specific data on case backlog for assigned group
- Maintains a library of permanent templates of frequently used material in ALJ decisions, such as citing SSA law and regulations, findings of facts, and various generic decisional phrases
- Prepares case summaries by outlining, in narrative form, information from all exhibits which reflect the prior and current medical history of the claimant, as well as any conflicting medical evidence. This involves closely analyzing the medical evidence and treating sources to inform the ALJ of all diagnoses and medical treatment
- Communicates orally daily with attorneys, lay representatives, claimants, Congressional offices and other third parties, to answer questions relating to the hearing process based on SSA law, regulations and policy
- Provides and receives information related to documentary evidence, filing and processing procedures, status of claimants' applications and other related areas of case processing
- Communicates daily, either in a face‑to‑face situation or by telephone, with claimants who may be ill, upset, or resentful of the Administration's processing of or denial of claim, to explain the Social Security law
- Demonstrates strong interpersonal skills by promptly responding to claimants request in a courteous manner, maintaining the highest level of professionalism and confidentiality
- Orchestrates plans to compete large project cases that inquire teamwork and short time frame deadlines
Education
Master of Science - Administration of Science And Security
University of Phoenix
Tempe, AZ06-2008
Bachelor of Arts - Legal Studies
National University
La Jolla, CA10-2003
Skills
- Legal analysis
- Legal research
- Legal writing
- Document review
- Client communications
- Security protocols
- Document management
- Data privacy
- Database administration
- Legal support
- Legal services
- Legal billing
- Office administration
- Client communication
- Proficient in MS office
- Attorney support
- Document preparation
- Case summaries
- Administrative support
- File and records management
- Evidence analysis
- Document drafting
- Case management
- Exhibit preparation
- Calendar management
- Legal research skills
- Legal case files
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Customer service
Certification
- Spanish/English Legal Interpreter Certificate - November 2025
- ABA Paralegal Certificate-Legal Procedure-December 2006
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Legal Specialist
Social Security Administration, SSA
09.2010 - Current
Master of Science - Administration of Science And Security
University of Phoenix
Bachelor of Arts - Legal Studies
National University