About

     PROFESSIONAL BIO: Anne C. LeMieux has twenty years experience as a paralegal, the past thirteen as an Elder Law and Medicaid paralegal for Attorney Donna R. Levine. After an earlier career as a journalist, then a children's and young adult book author, Anne found her way into the legal field through Special Education and Disability Benefits law, to help her son, who was born with a rare developmental disability called Williams syndrome, navigate through the public school system and beyond. After working for several years in litigation (Willinger, Willinger & Bucci, P.C., then Votre and Associates, P.C.) she came to a point where she wanted her work to be more aligned with her personal aspirations. She was blessed to find employment and mentorship at Donna's firm. There, over the past thirteen years, she has done the nuts-and-bolts paralegal work on nearly three hundred Medicaid/Title XIX applications. Anne lives in Branford with her husband Tim Pocock and son Brendan LeMieux.

     PERSONAL NOTE: Working from home during the pandemic brought with it the realization that as my son moves into middle age, his support needs are changing. Being able to work remotely has afforded me the opportunity to accompany him more closely along his journey and support his aspirations. At the same time, I have accumulated a set of skills that allow me to help other families who are trying to care for and help their loved ones. In her book GRACE (EVENTUALLY), Anne Lamott describes volunteering at a special-ed dance class. After the class, one of the dancers was heard to say, "I like those old ladies! They were helpers and they danced." Lamott concludes her essay with, "These are the words I want on my gravestone: that I was a helper, and that I danced." Working with Title XIX clients sadly brings more obituaries across my desk than another job would. I read them all and often find myself surprised by the words that sum up lives, some very uncommon, lovingly well-lived. When the time comes for my own to be written, I hope it will include a note that I was a helper, and that I sometimes filled in on bass guitar for my son's rock band (while dancing a little).

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS SUMMARY

• Excellent writing and written communication skills
• Professional, empathetic rapport with clients and their families
• Excellent Title XIX/Medicaid application preparation and processing skills, with meticulous attention to detail and strong proficiency working with DSS Integrated Eligibility System ("ImpaCT") including developing work-arounds when flaws in the system impede the processing of benefits
• Considerable familiarity with the Department of Social Services Uniform Policy Manual with respect to Medicaid Programs and the regulations and policies governing them
• Excellent research, analytical, logical reasoning, and information organization skills
• Strong complex problem identification-and-solving skills, including problems with benefit eligibility denials and algorithmic flaws and bias issues that affect benefit outcomes
• Strong task management skills, including ability to triage and shift priorities, multitask, and meet critical deadlines, while maintaining focus and capacity for self-direction
• Solid general office skills; proficiency with MS Office, Adobe programs, WordPerfect, and internet legal research services
• Ability to adapt to case and task requirements, and work well as a team member or individually
• Knowledge of and adherence to the legal and ethical boundaries and guidelines for paralegal services as set forth by the ABA
• Strong personal background in Social Security Programs for persons with disabilities, including SSI, SSDI, and eligibility for Disabled Adult Child benefits; familiarity with ABLE accounts and Special Needs Trusts