Melissa K Schory
Cincinnati,OH
Summary
I am seeking a position that allows me the opportunity to use and expand my experience and current skills. My background includes work as a Corporate Paralegal, Senior Litigation Services Cost Analyst and an Office Administrator. These positions have helped me develop the skills of effective, professional communication, dependability, self-motivation, efficient project management and creative problem solving. I believe my background as a paralegal with 20 years of experience and each of my roles and responsibilities have prepared me well and make me a good fit for the position. I am always willing to learn new skills and work to efficiently integrate these skills into my daily practice when introduced to new information.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Corporate Paralegal
Thompson Hine LLP
10.2017 - Current
- Maintained numerous minute books and created closing binders.
- Drafted resolutions for several transactions including establishing international bank accounts, annual elections and financial transactions.
- Drafted the necessary documents for filing with the Secretary of State for profit corporations, limited partnerships and limited liability companies to complete domestic and foreign transactions.
- Prepared tax filing documents to obtain EIN's, change entity details and responsible party information.
- Drafted and filed state required annual reports.
- Communicated directly with clients to answer their questions in a timely manner and worked to resolve needs effectively and efficiently.
- Drafted all documents necessary to form an entity including filing documents and organizational consents .
- Prepared Form ID, Form D, Form 3's/4's and filed same with the SEC.
- Created presentation and reference guide regarding Delaware annual report filing requirements and detailed franchise tax computation to benefit specific practice groups.
- Researched state Blue Sky filing requirements, analyzed offering and investor information, maintained client investor information and filed notices with the relevant states. Over the years, I have become the primary person to assist with securities filing compliance questions and state notice requirements.
- Reviewed Proxy Statement for grammatical and consistency errors.
- Assisted with Apostille and Authentication requests for international and US clients.
- Assisted with FDA and PACT act compliance and conducted state requirement research to develop filing guidelines and lead project focused needs.
- Researched entity history and prepared summaries regarding same.
- Created and implemented new processes pertaining to entity development and organization of documents relating to same.
- Became a point person for one off requests which included investigating the unauthorized usage of an entity name and its creation including moving forward with cease and desist actions, reviewing documents pertaining to historical property ownership to assist with a litigation matter and investigating SEC filings with chain of ownership details.
- Assisted with M&A, real estate transactions and credit agreements by assisting with the completion of the required schedules which included compiling numerous supporting documents, drafting the authorizing consents pursuant to the transaction details, preparing and filing the relevant state required secretary of state documents and drafting stock certificates along with stock powers.
- Drafted audit response letters.
- Drafted annual shareholder and directors consents along with Officer Certificates and Omnibus Consents relating to specific transaction information.
- Reviewed NDA, contracts and other agreements regarding terms of contract, involved parties, expiration information and maintained database regarding same.
- Provided support with additional requests as needed. While I am located in Cincinnati, I receive requests relating to different practice areas from each of the nine locations resulting in a fast-paced work environment with tight deadlines and attention to detail is key.
Corporate Paralegal
General Cable Corporation
03.2017 - 10.2017
- Maintained numerous original and duplicate minute books and drafted resolutions for several transactions including establishing international bank accounts, annual elections and financial transactions.
- Drafted the necessary documents for filing with the Secretary of State for profit corporations and limited liability companies to complete domestic and foreign transactions. The documents were filed in many states including Delaware, New York and New Jersey.
- Prepared for the Annual Meeting by organizing and communicating the tasks required to the team and updating/maintaining the Annual Meeting checklist. Assisted with the preparation of related materials such as the Proxy Statement and Certifications.
- Assisted with the preparation of the necessary forms for SEC filings including Form 4, obtained signatures and updated the NYSE database as necessary.
- Assisted with the preparation for board meetings by preparing/revising meeting agendas, schedule and planner.
- Audited annual invoice from statutory agent service company and communicated inconsistencies/refund of certain charges. Also, initiated negotiations for new rates on several services.
- Became a point person for one off requests which included changing the banking signatory on an international bank account and creating a process for the successful return of the share certificates of an international company.
- Assisted with securing the current credit agreement for the corporation by thoroughly completing the required schedules, compiling the numerous supporting documents, drafting resolutions for transfer of shares along with the relevant stock powers, coordinating efforts internationally to complete the initial and post-closing requests in a small amount of time in order to meet deadlines.
- Updated and maintained the hCue entity database to reflect Director/Officer updates, entity transactions, ownership interest percentages/share information for all entities and uploaded numerous documents in order for the database and minute books to be aligned.
- Assisted with the due diligence process to prepare for a possible significant corporate transaction including gathering corporate and real estate documents for all entities and upload into a centralized database.
Corporate Paralegal
Macy's, Inc.
01.2016 - 02.2017
- Maintained numerous original and duplicate minute books and drafted resolutions for the annual meeting/elections, amended charter documents, non-routine officer elections, financial transactions, mergers including merger agreements, withdrawals and added information pertaining to the incorporation and qualification of the entities.
- Prepared the necessary documents for filing with the Secretary of State for profit corporations, limited liability companies, and non-profit corporations to complete domestic and foreign transactions such as incorporations, qualifications, mergers, tax clearances, reinstatements, withdrawal of entities and creation/cancellation of assumed names. The documents were filed in many states including Ohio, Delaware, New York and New Jersey.
- Collaborated with Tax to implement requested structure changes and worked with Treasury on related matters.
- Assisted with the preparation of the necessary forms for SEC filings including Form 4/Form 144, obtained signatures and updated the NYSE database as necessary.
- Assisted with the creation of several international communications offices which required the collaboration with local agents and high-level filing requirement analysis and completion.
- Handled several international entities and prepared numerous documents for submission including the apostillization/legalization of documents for the joint venture entities and establishing a liaison office along with its bank account.
- Assisted the litigation team with affidavits regarding corporate structure and corporate history matters.
- Assisted the real estate team with projects involving lease documents and locations of property.
- Prepared Powers of Attorney.
- Assisted with the creation and revision of Intercompany Agreements, Contribution Agreements and Purchase Agreements.
- Assisted with the Self-Insurance renewal process and completed the required documents for submission.
- Prepared quarterly reports detailing corporate structure changes and distributed.
- Maintained the entity management and document databases to reflect structure and officer changes.
- Assisted in due diligence for financings, corporate acquisitions, Federal Reserve Bank audits and other such matters.
- Reviewed registered agent service invoices to confirm charges are warranted and, on a quarterly basis, completed an audit of these invoices.
- Updated the corporate governance and structure portal with contact information and reports.
- Assisted with special projects as assigned.
Office Administrator/Executive Assistant
Franklin County Area Planning, Government Center
08.2013 - 12.2015
- Assisted with accounts payable and receivable.
- Provided assistance with customer questions and concerns regarding zoning, compliance issues, county ordinances, building permits, etc.
- Maintained office calendars via Outlook.
- Scheduled inspections for Executive Director and Building Inspector.
- Answered switchboard.
- Maintained department website and online documents.
- Assisted in the annual budget review and monitored budget on a monthly basis to confirm compliant with budgetary needs.
- Drafted Building Permits in the office software.
- Created and maintained various Excel spreadsheets.
- Provided instruction to customers regarding filing various documents with the Area Planning office.
- Drafted letters regarding non-compliance with zoning regulations.
- Assisted Executive Director on assigned tasks.
- Submitted and maintained payroll for the Area Planning office.
- Typed monthly minutes from the Area Plan Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals meetings and updated minute books accordingly.
- Distributed these minutes to the commission representatives and board members for approval prior to the deadline.
- Created monthly report generating revenue data for permit issuance, electric meter inspections and variance applications.
- Submitted monthly notices of Area Plan Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals meetings to public entities, commission representatives and board members prior to the deadlines.
- Ordered office supplies as needed and monitored supply needs.
- Managed all aspects of Area Planning office in Executive Director's absence.
Paralegal (Temporary Position)
Davis Law Office
08.2015 - 11.2015
- Assisted current and potential clients with questions or concerns.
- Maintained office files and databases.
- Drafted legal documents such as pleadings, agreements/contracts and discovery.
- Organized and reviewed medical records and bills.
- Reviewed file in order for the attorney to bill for her services and drafted invoices.
- Assisted with scheduling and monitoring deadlines.
- Drafted form versions of legal documents to use as templates in future use.
Senior Litigation Services Specialist/Litigation Services Cost Analyst (Claims Litigation Services)
Great American Insurance Company
08.2006 - 05.2011
- Conducted detailed review of invoices for legal services received from retained defense counsel for compliance with company guidelines and industry standards and practices.
- Successfully maintained average yearly compliance review of over $18 million in legal invoices.
- Completed Resolutions and Appeals of legal invoices pertaining to assigned business units.
- Requested appropriate documentation from law firms and/or adjusters in support of their appeal if not already provided or readily available in the ECF (Electronic Claims File) system.
- Assisted in the development and implementation of day to day procedures and department guidelines.
- Produced monthly Business Objects reports for various business units.
- Reconciled payments to the retained law firms.
- Assisted with training new employees on daily tasks, department procedures, review of invoices for compliance and proper coding along with the abbreviations for these codes.
- Developed PowerPoint presentation and provided training for adjusters regarding Case Management in the Litigation Advisor billing software.
- Communicated with counsel regarding legal invoices and resolved counsel issues with reductions, outstanding payments, etc.
- Provided detailed reasoning for reductions and resolved counsel concerns or issues with the guidelines as it pertained to their specific situation. These discussions were based on my review of their supporting material provided or their further explanation of the activities billed to GAIC.
- Resolved internal questions from adjusters regarding status of payments/reconciling payments.
- Maintained business relationships with assigned business units by communicating firm issues and/or concerns.
- Managed firm database excel spreadsheet and personally developed procedures for maintenance, updating and contact with new law firms.
- Provided training and assistance to Litigation Billing Specialist regarding firm database and maintenance.
- Instructed law firms on invoice submission and format. If needed, confirmed invoices were properly formatted and submitted the invoices into Litigation Advisor/LSS (Tymetrix billing software) on behalf of the law firm.
- Assisted law firms and adjusters with regard to Litigation Advisor and the Case Management portion of the system.
- Completed special projects as assigned.
Paralegal/Office Assistant
Droder & Miller, Co., LPA
08.2003 - 08.2006
- Completed paralegal tasks assigned by attorneys including obtaining medical records and completing summaries of records, drafting pleadings and letters, organizing files, updating and maintaining calendars, obtained and researched information available via the Secretary of State and PACER, maintaining excel databases, scheduling events, drafting deposition summaries, filing documents with various courts (in-person, electronically (ECF-electronic court filing or by mail), maintain important deadlines, held discussions with clients as necessary regarding care received/where treating (Plaintiff/PI cases), etc.
- Answered switchboard.
- Assisted office manager with a variety of duties including time and billing, attorney invoice submission via Tymetrix billing software, sorting incoming mail, ordering office supplies, etc.
- Transcribed attorney dictation and other secretarial tasks as necessary.
- Provided assistance with customer questions and concerns.
Education
Associate in Claims - AIC Claims Designation
Insurance Institute of America (IIA)
Member -
Cincinnati Paralegal Association
Bachelor of Arts - and Paralegal Certification
Indiana University - East
Richmond, Indiana2002
High School Diploma -
Franklin County High School
Brookville, Indiana1998
Skills
- Accurate and detailed
- Employee training and development
- Skilled multi-tasker with the ability to prioritize deadlines efficiently
- Organized
- Self-motivated
- Willingness to learn new skills
- Conflict resolution
- Database management experience
- Excellent planner and coordinator with project planning/development experience
- Excellent investigative, research and reporting skills
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
Timeline
Corporate Paralegal
Thompson Hine LLP
10.2017 - Current
Corporate Paralegal
General Cable Corporation
03.2017 - 10.2017
Corporate Paralegal
Macy's, Inc.
01.2016 - 02.2017
Paralegal (Temporary Position)
Davis Law Office
08.2015 - 11.2015
Office Administrator/Executive Assistant
Franklin County Area Planning, Government Center
08.2013 - 12.2015
Senior Litigation Services Specialist/Litigation Services Cost Analyst (Claims Litigation Services)
Great American Insurance Company
08.2006 - 05.2011
Paralegal/Office Assistant
Droder & Miller, Co., LPA
08.2003 - 08.2006
Member -
Cincinnati Paralegal Association
High School Diploma -
Franklin County High School
Associate in Claims - AIC Claims Designation
Insurance Institute of America (IIA)
Bachelor of Arts - and Paralegal Certification
Indiana University - East
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