Our Team
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J.W. “Tex” Chalkley, III, Attorney
Attorney J. W. “Tex” Chalkley, III was born in Texas. He received his Bachelor of Science from Auburn University in 1968 and graduated from the Florida State University College of Law in 1971. He was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1971 and served as Assistant to Florida Lieutenant Governor Tom Adams and as a Labor Law Adviser to Governor Rubin Askew. For more than 25 years, Mr. Chalkley has been actively involved in Workers’ Compensation, Personal Injury and Social Security disability Law. He served on the Florida Workers’ Compensation Rules Committee for the Florida Bar for nine years. He has also served on the Florida Criminal Law Professional Ethics Committee, Florida Disability Law Committee and the Florida Labor Law Committee. He is the past Florida Co-Chairman of the National Organization of Social Security Claimant’s Representatives (NOSSCR). He has been a lecturer for NOSSCR and the National Association of Disability Examiners (NADE).
Court Admissions:
- Supreme Court of the United States, since 1976
- United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, since 1985
- United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, since 1975
- United States District Court, Northern District of Florida, since 1971
- United States District Court, Middle District of Florida, since 1975
- Florida Supreme Court, since 1971
Present Affiliations:
• ABA – American Bar Association
• ABA Health Law Section
• ABA Intellectual Property Law Section
• ABA International Law Section
• FJA – Florida Justice Association
• MCBA – Marion County Bar Association
• NADE – National Association of Disability Examiners
• NADR – National Association of Disability Representatives
• NOSSCR – National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives (past Florida Chairperson)
• NOVA – National Organization of Veterans’ Advocates, Inc.
Past Affiliations:
• Florida Professional Ethics Committee
• Florida Disability Law Committee
• Florida Criminal Law Professional Ethics Committee
• Florida Labor Law Committee
• Florida Criminal Defense Attorneys Association
• Florida Workers’ Compensation Rules Committee (9 years)
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Joseph E. Smith, Attorney
Attorney Joseph E. Smith was born in McComb, Mississippi. He received his Bachelor of Arts in 1972 from Christopher Newport College and graduated from Stetson University of Law in 1976. He was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1976 and the Mississippi State Bar in 1977. He has practiced primarily in the area of Workers’ Compensation for the past 34 years. He represented Workers’ Compensation insurance companies for over 22 years, but for the past 12 years he has exclusively chosen to represent injured claimants. Mr. Smith has also served as a certified Circuit Court Mediator.
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Carlene “Carli”
Mrs. Chalkley was born in New England, but grew up in Florida and California. Following High School Carlene joined the United States Army and became a helicopter mechanic. After serving in the Army, she returned to school and studied Criminal Justice at the University of South Florida. She has worked in the legal field since 1979, and has been a member of The Law Offices of Chalkley & Smith since 1987. Carlene holds the positions of Office Manager, Bookkeeper and Legal Assistant. In Carlene’s free time she enjoys hunting, fishing (fresh and salt water), bowling, scuba diving and reading.
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Tracy, Receptionist
Originally from North Carolina, Tracy has lived in Ocala since 1994. Tracy was a travel agent for over 17 years before joining our firm in 2002, and has been using that same friendly and accommodating mentality for over 8 years as our receptionist and Workers’ Compensation Legal Secretary. She is responsible for the initial interviews with potential Workers’ Compensation, Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice and Automobile Accident cases. She works very closely with all staff members to ensure that all clients are handled with respect and efficiency.
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Cathy, Case Manager/Assistant Office Manager
Cathy has been a member of our firm for over 10 years. Prior to joining our team, she served as a Federal Work Study/Financial Aid Specialist with Central Florida Community College, where she was instrumental in assisting hundreds of students receive financial aid as well as acceptance into the Federal Work Study Program. This background in assistance with financial aid cases has made Cathy a natural fit as a Case Manager for both Workers’ Compensation and Social Security Disability cases. Cathy is dedicated to her work and enjoys helping injured workers and disabled individuals receive the benefits they deserve.
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Melissa, Case Manager
Melissa grew up in Miami, Florida and has been a resident of Ocala, Florida since 1996. Prior to joining Chalkley & Smith, she worked for several years as a Legal Secretary primarily on Workers’ Compensation and Personal Injury cases. Melissa has been a dedicated Case Manager with our firm for over 10 years. During that time she has attended over 100 hours of continuing education courses offered by the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives (NOSSCR). She has also attended and observed hundreds of Administrative Law Judge Hearings, and has managed countless Social Security Disability claims. Melissa is very knowledgeable in the area of Social Security Law, and thoroughly enjoys her career.
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Lynn, Case Manager
Lynn has over 15 years experience in the field of Workers’ Compensation Law and over 13 years with our firm. She has attended numerous seminars and lectures regarding Workers’ Compensation, and is very dedicated to helping injured workers receive the benefits that they are entitled to.
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Paula, Case Manager
A native of Canada, Paula has resided in Ocala since 1978. Paula earned her degree in Business Administration in 1991. She has been with our firm for almost 5 years, and has combined her education along with her 15+ years experience in Hospitality Management into a successful and rewarding career as a Case Manager.
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Heather, Case Manager
A recent transplant from New Jersey, Heather has been a resident of Ocala and member of our firm for just over 1 year. Although she is one of our newest Case Managers, Heather’s background in Administration for a large utility company has prepared her well for navigating the intricacies of Social Security Disability Law. Heather enjoys the opportunities of meeting and helping new people every day, as well as the continuing education aspect that this career offers her.
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April, Case Manager
April grew up in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and moved to Ocala in 1990. Prior to Chalkley & Smith, she worked in Information Technology as a System Developer and Tester for a large mortgage corporation from 2004 to 2009. April joined our team in 2010, and is continually learning Social Security Disability Law. April enjoys new challenges, meeting new people, and making a difference in their lives.
