Kim Koo Foundation and Korean Education Center of Chicago
Janet Fisher Spatafora
Lake Zurich,IL
Summary
Licensed Attorney (NY) with proven success in providing legal counsel, advice, and support for real estate issues, contracts, and closings, managing large-scale projects and working with industry experts to secure real property and land use rights. Collectively responsible for 1000+ new telecommunications site builds (NSBs) / colos for T-Mobile, Verizon and Crown. Strong business partner, experienced in representing clients to formulate viable solutions that appropriately address legal issues. Expert in negotiating / drafting / reviewing / interpreting contractual terms, operating protocols, and providing information on governmental regulations, process, and compliance.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Site Acquisition Specialist
CROWN CASTLE
Downers Grove, IL
08.2021 - 07.2025
- Provided timely fulfillment of jurisdictional requirements on nearly 700 company-owned / leased telecommunications sites for all carrier modifications, drop and swaps, upgrades, new co-locations, and fiber with regard to Federal Law 6409 and FCC Law.
- Reviewed real estate documents (title reports, leases / contracts, deeds). Resolved lease and property management issues, including restrictive covenants, fee owner consent, lease administration, title clearance.
- Prepared various reports related to leasing, zoning, permitting, land / building viability, acquisitions, and modifications of tower sites.
- Identified / evaluated potential risk scenarios on a per-asset basis and presented solutions.
- Provided candidate-specific recommendations for project deployment and exit strategy.
- Managed outside vendors, including GCs, and communicated with team members and other departments.
- Reviewed / obtained deliverables, surveys, engineering / structural reports, architectural drawings, EME reports, photo sims, SSI Reports, insurance, regulatory, and FCC license documentation for proper filing to secure entitlements.
- Obtained, prepared, reviewed, and filed documents for zoning, planning, building applications, approvals / permits, permit close-outs, LOAs, vendor documents, short / long environmental assessment forms under NYS DEC Law and SEQRA, agricultural data statements under NYS Agriculture and Markets Law.
- Coordinated / communicated with jurisdictions, researched property conditions, and resolved legal and real estate issues consistently on time.
- Prepared for and attended zoning hearings.
- Reviewed and interpreted jurisdictional codes, contracts, real estate documents, and property records, providing zoning analyses and fulfilling jurisdictional requirements.
- Performed zoning research and interview of zoning / permitting personnel, obtaining jurisdictional approval requirements for installation of wireless communication facilities and related wireless equipment.
- Conducted negotiations with land and building owners, securing viable locations and entitlements.
- Reviewed Site Candidate Information Packages and other deliverables submitted by third parties to company, ensuring accuracy and clarity of documents.
- Documented activity and tracked properties under contract, verifying specific due diligence items were completed.
- Used internal database (CCISites) and BI Reports, certifying data integrity, performed data analysis to consistently meet KPI goals, forecasting accuracy (monthly / quarterly), and volume for zoning / building permit filings and approvals for customer satisfaction.
Contract Positions (Real Estate Project Manager) through APR Consulting
VERIZON WIRELESS
Schaumburg, IL
02.2017 - 08.2019
- Drafted and reviewed real estate contracts. Researched title issues. Reviewed environmental and local zoning regulations.
- Coordinated post-lease settlements, including contract amendments, upgrades, and dispute resolutions.
- Determined return on investment for secured property rights on company ventures.
- Managed milestone timelines and real estate acquisition budgets.
- Completed purchase order creation, tracking, and receiving on invoices.
- Managed and processed new contracts and upgrades (including 5G) for DAS in-building / neutral host projects, macro sites, small cells, lease renewals, amendments, and retail store decommissions through Siterra and FUZE.
- Ensured FUZE database reflected accurate information.
- Resolved financial lease management / lease administration issues between internal and external parties such as commencement, rent calculations, and tax payments.
- Verified accuracy for 10K+ leases in accordance with SOX and accounting controls.
- Advised and communicated effectively with legal issues, including reviewing work of legal subject matter experts.
- Led team of site acquisition agents, outside consultants, and in-house and outside counsel, meeting project goals and objectives for site design, leasing, environmental, zoning, permitting, regulatory requirements, and construction for 250+ Macro Sites / New Site Builds (NSBs) / New In-building sites in the Midwest Region.
- Ensured site due diligence and compliance with ATSM, ESAs, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Section 106 NHPA, SHPO / THPO review process, Nationwide Programmatic Agreement criteria, FCC, and FAA by securing and evaluating environmental and regulatory materials.
- Coordinated tenant improvement allowances and property tax reimbursements, guaranteeing accurate billing.
- Used experience and mature judgment in handling legal problems, including statutory interpretations, preparing documents, and reviewing documents for legal soundness and accuracy, accomplishing difficult, complex, and varied work relating to procurements for wireless infrastructure, construction projects, regulatory, property agreements, and environmental, real estate, and local laws.
Private Consulting / Contract Work for Clientele
3DM LLC / NVC Inc / Vulcan MMS & Maguire Development
Palatine, IL
01.2010 - 2020
- Consulted PT / FT on short term projects while managing household / family affairs and caring for children.
- Negotiated, drafted, and executed client contracts and resolved contract disputes.
- Communicated with clients, providing residential / commercial real estate leasing and zoning services.
- Performed document review, including obtaining title, reviewing existing leases, establishing entitlements, and supplying construction drawings, surveys, and easements.
- Drafted zoning feasibility analyses, preparing zoning application packages, resolved title clearance issues, and preparing title commitments and policies, processing closing document and preparing real estate documents for filing and recording.
Temp Contract Position through Catalyst Network Services, LLC
BLACK AND VEATCH
Burr Ridge, IL
01.2013
- Performed document review and data integrity, including title reports, leasing documents, zoning, regulatory, environmental, and construction documents / drawings.
Contract Position - Colocation Site Specialist / Site Acquisition Project Manager through TekSystems, Inc. and Glotel, Inc.
US CELLULAR AND T-MOBILE
Chicago, IL
01.2007 - 01.2010
- Responsible for hundreds of NSBs in the Midwest Region including IL/WI.
- Determined lease rights.
- Reviewed lease agreements, prospective locations for cellular operations and convenience stores.
Associate Attorney (Telecommunications)
AMATO & ASSOCIATES, P.C.
Garden City, NY
01.2005 - 01.2007
- Represented clients, including 7-Eleven, T-Mobile, and Verizon Wireless in research and resolution of zoning and title issues on prospective locations for cellular operations and convenience stores.
Contract Attorney - Securities Contracts / Compliance Assignment through The Peak Organization, Inc.
T-MOBILE & MORGAN STANLEY
Garden City, NY
01.2004 - 01.2005
- Managed site acquisition agents for 900+ Rawland NSBs in the Long Island, NY region, and assisted in review, research, and resolution of real estate / title issues.
Attorney (Trademarks / Copyrights / Contracts)
NEW CENTURY SALES, INC.
Flushing, NY
01.2002 - 01.2004
- Filed US Trademarks and copyrights.
- Drafted manufacturing contracts.
Attorney (Real Estate / Title Insurance)
ABSTRACTS, INC.
Garden City, NY
01.2001 - 01.2002
- Researched property, drafted title reports, cleared title for closings, and recorded deeds, mortgages, and lease memoranda at Nassau and Suffolk County Clerks' offices.
Education
Juris Doctorate (JD) -
City University of New York (Cuny) At Queens College
Flushing, NYNY Bachelor of Arts (BA) - undefined
Philosophy and English Textual Studies
Syracuse, NYSkills
- Real Estate Law and Property Rights
- Zoning and Permitting Approvals
- Entitlements, Title, and Closings
- Facilitate Real Estate Transactions, Due Diligence, and Site Acquisition
- Government Zoning and Permitting, Including Public Hearings
- Planning and Delivery of Wide-Scale Real Estate Projects
- Title Report Review, Creation, Clearance, Insurance, and Recording of Real Estate Documents
- Environmental and Regulatory Due Diligence and Compliance
- Drafting, Review, and Negotiation of Contracts, Resolving Disputes
Certification
- New York State Bar Association
- Notary / eNotary Public, Lake County, IL
- Chicago Bar Association Symphony Orchestra, 1st Violin Section
Interests
Timeline
Site Acquisition Specialist
CROWN CASTLE
08.2021 - 07.2025
Contract Positions (Real Estate Project Manager) through APR Consulting
VERIZON WIRELESS
02.2017 - 08.2019
Temp Contract Position through Catalyst Network Services, LLC
BLACK AND VEATCH
01.2013
Private Consulting / Contract Work for Clientele
3DM LLC / NVC Inc / Vulcan MMS & Maguire Development
01.2010 - 2020
Contract Position - Colocation Site Specialist / Site Acquisition Project Manager through TekSystems, Inc. and Glotel, Inc.
US CELLULAR AND T-MOBILE
01.2007 - 01.2010
Associate Attorney (Telecommunications)
AMATO & ASSOCIATES, P.C.
01.2005 - 01.2007
Contract Attorney - Securities Contracts / Compliance Assignment through The Peak Organization, Inc.
T-MOBILE & MORGAN STANLEY
01.2004 - 01.2005
Attorney (Trademarks / Copyrights / Contracts)
NEW CENTURY SALES, INC.
01.2002 - 01.2004
Attorney (Real Estate / Title Insurance)
ABSTRACTS, INC.
01.2001 - 01.2002
NY Bachelor of Arts (BA) - undefined
Philosophy and English Textual Studies
Juris Doctorate (JD) -
City University of New York (Cuny) At Queens College