DAWN M. WOODS
Dayton,Ohio
Summary
Results-driven, highly skilled paralegal specializing in corporate compliance, legal research, and writing. Proven ability to lead teams in meeting compliance standards while delivering exceptional customer service. Proficient in Microsoft Suite, Lexis Nexis, and Westlaw, complemented by State of Ohio Notary Public certification. Experienced in development administration with a focus on strategic planning and project coordination to enhance organizational efficiency.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Construction and Development Administrator
Oberer Companies
Miamisburg, Ohio
10.2022 - Current
- Coordinate the preparation of Commercial Closing Documents and assist with site due diligence reports for single family homes.
- Review legal documents for land purchases and developments.
- Monitor contracts for specific time constraints regarding contingency periods, closing deadlines, contractual obligations, etc.
- Participate in the design of project management processes and budget planning for land development, and track pre-development budgets.
- Managed project documentation for various development initiatives.
- Coordinated communication between stakeholders and project teams.
- Oversaw compliance with regulatory requirements and industry standards.
- Assisted with other general administrative duties, procedures, and processes to improve operational efficiency.
- Managed the full project lifecycle from concept through delivery, ensuring alignment with business objectives.
Postpartum PCT Tech
Miami Valley Hospital
09.2001 - Current
- Assist new mother with the emotional aspects of recovery after giving birth under the supervision of doctors, nurses and medical professionals.
Escrow Closing Paralegal
Chicago Title Company
Dayton, Ohio
08.2020 - 10.2022
- Cultivated and strengthened productive relationships with customers and professionals, like lawyers and lenders.
- Maintained regular communications with clients to discuss and resolve issues.
- Examined deeds, deeds of trust, liens, judgments, and easements.
- Complete the closing transaction by assembling documents and closing statements, checking documents for completeness and accuracy, reviewing papers with the parties to the transaction, explaining provisions and procedures, answering questions, and obtaining signatures.
- Prepares transaction documents by completing forms and statements and collecting and reviewing existing documents.
- Establishes escrow accounts by depositing funds, and maintaining records.
- Closes the escrow account by disbursing funds.
Paralegal
L. Patrick Mulligan & Associates, L.P.A
10.2019 - 06.2020
- Assist 3 attorneys with Family Law and Criminal Law Matters.
- The job duties and responsibilities include but it not limited to the following:.
- Preparing and drafting motions, pleadings, judgments, statements, documents, and other correspondence (e.g., debt and asset lists, witness affidavits, child support worksheets, responsive pleadings, etc.).
- Performing legal research.
- Maintaining attorney calendars and case files.
- Scheduling appointments, court appearances, and mediation/deposition hearings.
- Serving as a liaison between the client and attorney, conducting client interviews.
- Preparing trial notebooks and providing assistance in trial settings.
- Preparing and reviewing discovery packages, including disclosure statements, answers to interrogatories, and production requests.
Paralegal Consultant
Axcess Financial Services, Inc
09.2017 - 09.2019
- Real Estate Paralegal to work as an independent contractor, to complete a lease abstraction for the Commercial Lease/Retail Files.
- Assist with uploading data into the Qube/Alchemy Real Estate Software.
- Which includes but is not limited to the following: Reading and Interpreting complex Commercial Real Estate Leases.
- Abstract all key terms and critical dates relating to lease into a defined format.
- Abstract Tenant Insurance Requirements per Lease Language & ensure accurate information entered into Insurance Tracking System.
- Review Insurance Certificates to confirm all lease requirements are met.
- Maintain electronic library of all lease contracts, amendments and correspondence in an organized file structure.
Paralegal Specialist
Phillips Edison & Company - PECO
06.2017 - 09.2017
- Assist corporate in-house Property Accountant for more than 300+ internally-managed (REIT focused) grocery-anchored shopping centers.
- Day to day duties include but is not limited to the following: Assist in accurately interpreting the terms of a contract and verifying the credentials of the company with which the contract is made.
- Proofread documents line by line and take notes regarding questions and/or or concerns with the terms or the language.
- Assist with evaluating the contracts performance.
- Work closely with Accounting Department with any/all legal agreements and/or issues.
- Review, update, and maintain contract documents and associated financial reports.
Corporate Paralegal
Speedway LLC
03.2010 - 06.2017
- Assist 12 corporate in-house attorneys for more than 2,700 convenience stores in the fields of Real Estate, Litigation and Corporate Law.
- Review and comment on title insurance commitments and land surveys, prepare real estate documents – from the initial negotiations through closing, review real estate due diligence materials, such as easements, land purchase agreements and lease renewals.
- Exercise independent judgment under limited supervision.
- Perform substantive legal work, conducts research & provide legal support.
- Prepare/Assist with routine real estate instruments including deed, contracts of sale, lease amendments, EC and SNDA’s.
- Assist with government and regulatory compliance reporting.
- Proofread documents and interpret legal contracts.
- Manage case files and respond to property maintenance issues and evictions; interact with key store personnel, landlords, property managers, DEA, State Boards, Health Department and FDA.
- Research and analyze a variety of sources such as regulations, statutes, ordinances, opinions, communications and any and all agreements required within the Compliance Department.
- Respond to judicial orders, court orders and administrative/criminal/civil subpoenas.
- Demonstrate ability to take initiative and manage multiple competing priorities while constantly meeting deadlines.
- ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
- Present three to four times a year to the Leadership Participant Program - current employees entering into a managerial role.
- On conversion team for Indiana Acquisition of 88 stores that was acquired in 2/2012.
- On conversion team for the Mid-West/East Coast Acquisition of 1,250 stores that was acquired in 9/2014.
Foreclosure Paralegal Specialist
Reisenfeld & Associates LPA, LLC
06.2008 - 02.2010
- Assist several attorneys with the Judicial Foreclosure process from start to finish (REO), which includes but is not limited to the preparation of complaints, pleadings motions, and affidavits, assignment of notes and mortgages, demand letters, reinstatements, loan modifications, forbearance plan, short sales, deed in lieu.
- Review of title work and constant servicer contact via email.
Paralegal
Strobl & Wolfe Co
, LPA
10.2007 - 05.2008
- Assist three attorneys that have a civil practice (Employment/Educational Law) in courts and before administrative agencies at the federal and state level.
Risk Management Coordinator
PaySource USA, Inc
12.2006 - 10.2007
- Assisted in standardizing policies and procedures that keep up with Federal, State and local regulatory compliance, as well as eliminate legal liability issues thereby create and maintain risk management processes for a PEO.
- Coordinated, implemented and enforced HR policies and procedures that fairly and safely recruit hire and maintain the right staff for the employers' employees.
Paralegal
Washington & Strobl Co
, LPA
07.2005 - 12.2006
- Assist two attorneys that have a civil practice (Employment/Educational/State Law) in courts and before administrative agencies at the federal and state level.
- Produced well-researched and articulate legal briefs, pleadings and statements.
- Coordinated subpoena services and other support activities for legal office.
- Identified and solved complex problems to elevate legal team and business direction.
- Researched documents and publications to establish case-altering details and evidence.
- Partnered with attorneys to provide detailed performance reports for corrective action planning.
- Interpreted criminal law, real property law and bankruptcy.
- Used WestLaw and LexisNexis to examine secondary sources, statutory and case law and federal and state regulations.
Negotiation/Litigation Assistant
Dyer Garofalo Mann & Schultz
05.2004 - 07.2005
- Review medical records and summation.
- Prepared demand packages, letters for settlements and assisted with settlement agreements for attorney at satellite office.
- Managed with attorney, all aspects of personal injury claims from onset to pre-suit negotiation and litigation.
Education
Master of Science - Public Administration
Kaplan University
Master of Science - Legal Studies
Kaplan University
Bachelor of Applied Science - Paralegal
Kaplan University
Associate of Applied Science - Legal Assisting
Sinclair Community College
Skills
- Project management and vendor management
- Negotiation and strategic thinking
- Customer relations and service
- Legal analysis and compliance
- Contract management and corporate law
- Healthcare and insurance expertise
- Research and investigations
- Due diligence and mediation
- Employment law and regulatory compliance
- Zoning and acquisition strategies
- Finance and property management
- Training and development programs
- Product development and task prioritization
- Self-motivation and problem-solving skills
- Inventory assessment and analytical mindset
- Tech-savvy collaboration tools
- Time management techniques
References
REFERENCES UPON REQUEST
Additional Information
- INTERESTS AND PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS , Law Diversity & Inclusion Team Golden Key International Honor Society Alpha Beta Kappa National Honor Society Dayton Bar Association Greater Dayton Paralegal Organization, CERTIFICATIONS , BLS, CPR & AED Program
Timeline
Construction and Development Administrator
Oberer Companies
10.2022 - Current
Escrow Closing Paralegal
Chicago Title Company
08.2020 - 10.2022
Paralegal
L. Patrick Mulligan & Associates, L.P.A
10.2019 - 06.2020
Paralegal Consultant
Axcess Financial Services, Inc
09.2017 - 09.2019
Paralegal Specialist
Phillips Edison & Company - PECO
06.2017 - 09.2017
Corporate Paralegal
Speedway LLC
03.2010 - 06.2017
Foreclosure Paralegal Specialist
Reisenfeld & Associates LPA, LLC
06.2008 - 02.2010
Paralegal
Strobl & Wolfe Co
10.2007 - 05.2008
Risk Management Coordinator
PaySource USA, Inc
12.2006 - 10.2007
Paralegal
Washington & Strobl Co
07.2005 - 12.2006
Negotiation/Litigation Assistant
Dyer Garofalo Mann & Schultz
05.2004 - 07.2005
Postpartum PCT Tech
Miami Valley Hospital
09.2001 - Current
Master of Science - Public Administration
Kaplan University
Master of Science - Legal Studies
Kaplan University
Bachelor of Applied Science - Paralegal
Kaplan University
Associate of Applied Science - Legal Assisting
Sinclair Community College