JENNIFER W. DUNAWAY
Lease Litigation Specialist
Franklin,VA
Summary
Enthusiastic Paralegal eager to contribute to team success through hard work, attention to detail and excellent organizational skills. Clear understanding of lease drafting, analyzing deal memos and letters of intent. Motivated to learn, grow and excel in area of new store locations.
Overview
34
34
years of professional experience
Work History
Lease Litigation Specialist and Risk Management
Dollar Tree – Family Dollar
03.2019 - Current
- Draft, negotiate and manage critical lease documentation, including leases, lease amendments, renewals and extensions.
- Perform timely substantive research related to Dollar Tree and Family Dollar leases to maximize tenant rights and ensure compliance with landlord and tenant obligations.
- Negotiate 1000+ lease amendments/renewals on an annual basis covering all of the United States.
- Research and interpret lease documentation as requested.
- Analyze all incoming Family Dollar claims, review lease documents to determine Landlord or Tenant responsibility and provide lease documentation to outside counsel for litigated matters.
Land Use and Zoning Paralegal
LeClairRyan
04.2001 - 02.2019
- Identify ownership of real estate, and negotiate sale and acquisition of real property and lease of real property.
- Negotiate and prepare Purchase of Sale and Lease Memorandum contracts internally and review of same from outside vendors.
- Responsible for the management of filing of land use applications and seeing matter through public hearing process.
- Contact and arrange meeting with public officials.
- Identify and arrange for meetings with civic leagues and impacted property owners.
- Prepare hearing binders and scripts for public hearings.
- Obtain and circulate agendas and meeting minutes.
- Coordinate projects with other office locations within Firm network as required for matter to move through the zoning process.
- Thorough knowledge of Zoning Ordinances and Comprehensive Plans relating to rezoning of real property.
Real Estate Paralegal - Paralegal
Huff, Poole & Mahoney
04.1999 - 04.2001
- To 4 Partners and 2 Associates of firm.
- Responsible for all facets of commercial real estate sales and/or loan closing, including ordering and reviewing due diligence items (appraisal; survey; title commitment with endorsements and copies of title exceptions; zoning; occupancy and utility verification; PH I and PH II environmental reports; hazard insurance; organizational documentation for corporation; limited partnership; and/or limited liability company; UCC searches; leases, if applicable; copies of architect’s, engineer’s and/or contractor’s contracts; loan payoff information; real estate tax information and related storm water fees; and other required due diligence items).
- Prepare closing documents such as Purchase Contract, Bill of Sale, Deed (Quitclaim, Special or General Warranty) or Deed of Gift, Owner’s Affidavit as to Mechanics’ Liens and Possession, FIRPTA-1099 Report Filing, Virginia Nonresident Real Property Owner’s Exemption or Registration, UCC Financing Statements (original filings and terminations), Certificate of Satisfaction, Promissory Note, Deed of Trust, various Assignments (Assignment of Purchase Contract, Assignment of Leases, and other required Assignments), Secretary’s Certificate, Corporate Resolution, and other required documents.
- Organize parties to attend closings or to execute documents for "dry" closings.
- Attend closings independently or with supervising attorney.
- Coordinate all post-closing matters (loan payoff, disbursements associated with closing, execution and recordation of UCC Termination and Certificate of Satisfaction, closing document binder, issuance of title policy, and other required post-closing matters).
- Extensive Lease review and due diligence management.
- Prepare and coordinate execution of Tenant Estoppels, Tenant and Lender Subordinations, and Subleases.
- Handle various special projects issued by attorneys within the corporate real estate section and throughout the firm.
- Responsible for training new real estate paralegals.
- Extensive oral and written communication.
- Extensive client interaction.
Escrow Closer
Stewart Title & Escrow Company
02.1998 - 04.1999
- Prepare preliminary and supplemental title reports (also known as Abstract of Title and/or Title Commitment) for real property transactions (including, but not limited to, Sales, Contracts, Leases, Loan Refinance, Mobile Home Sales, Limited Liability Coverage Policy, High Liability Coverage Policy, Personal Property Search, Foreclosure Guaranty, and Litigation Guaranty).
- Daily examination of all public records and legal documents affecting real property transactions (such as conveyance Deeds, Trust Deeds, Mortgages, Trust Agreements, Easements, subdivision restrictions and corporate annual reports).
- Daily examination of Circuit and District Court files affecting real property transactions (such as Dissolution/Decree of Marriage, Small Estate, Probate, Complaint, Suit to Quiet Title, Transcribed Judgment and Foreclosure).
- Review Escrow Closing documents and Earnest Money contracts.
- Real property appraisal/analysis.
- Prepare and revise title policies.
Real Estate Paralegal
Williams, Kelly & Greer
08.1989 - 02.1998
- Draft and prepare legal documents for real property transactions (including, but not limited to, conveyance Deeds, Memorandum of Contract, Contract of Sale, Easement for Utility and/or Access, and Lot Line Adjustment).
- Extensive interaction with client and affiliated parties (including, but not limited to, attorneys, appraisers, real estate agents, surveyors, title and escrow personnel).
- Research state statutes and city regulations for property use and conveyance requirements.
Education
Paralegal Certification - ABA Approved -
Meredith College
Raleigh, NCB.A. - Political Science
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NCAssociates of Arts -
Peace College
Raleigh, NCSkills
- Corporate transactions
- Process evaluation
- Land Use and Zoning phase expertise
- Document organization
- Fact compilation
- Legal memos
- Legal Research
- Document preparation
- Exceptional telephone etiquette
- Writing and editing
- Document filing
- Legal documentation
- Complex Problem-Solving
- Key Relationships
Accomplishments
Smart Grow Suffolk, Board Member
Pride ARG, Co-Lead
Additional Information
- CREDENTIALS , Certified Paralegal – Meredith College, Raleigh, NC, ABA approved
Timeline
Lease Litigation Specialist and Risk Management
Dollar Tree – Family Dollar
03.2019 - Current
Land Use and Zoning Paralegal
LeClairRyan
04.2001 - 02.2019
Real Estate Paralegal - Paralegal
Huff, Poole & Mahoney
04.1999 - 04.2001
Escrow Closer
Stewart Title & Escrow Company
02.1998 - 04.1999
Real Estate Paralegal
Williams, Kelly & Greer
08.1989 - 02.1998
Paralegal Certification - ABA Approved -
Meredith College
B.A. - Political Science
North Carolina State University
Associates of Arts -
Peace College
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