SANDRA P. SMITH

• Implemented and managed Alabama title operation initiatives in compliance with guidelines set by senior management, state regulatory bodies and partner underwriters.

• Collaborated closely with title providers, both internal and external, to ensure order flow within SLA. Created plans to address deficiencies in delivery performance.

• Supervised and trained staff in all operations including title examinations, title commitment and policy production, underwriting strategies, client support and communication, and other relevant activities.

• Drove regular training activities with newly licensed title agents to improve knowledge and workforce effectiveness.

• Constantly monitored quality control reports and initiated activities to avoid quality deficiencies.

• Human resources POC; assisted managing partner with budget maintenance and planning; reconciled general and trust accounts; managed bi-weekly payroll employees, as well as insurance matters, workman's compensation and compliance reporting for the firm's three branches.

• Developed and performed the firm’s Compliance Management System consisting of the firm’s policies and procedures; the identification of regulatory entities and their respective guidelines to ensure compliance; industry best practices guidelines and proof of compliance; the firm’s complaint management system; and the firm’s employee handbook.

• Designed and managed the firm's website and social media content ensuring compliance with legal regulations whilst maximizing branding outreach and established presentation consistency across Chrome, Safari, Firefox and other common browser interfaces.

• Evaluated success of training programs and recommended improvements to enhance effectiveness.

• Assisted with the examination and resolution of complex title issues and conducted commercial and residential real estate closings.

• Services offered: Notary Services; C-Suite Concierge Services; Paralegal Support Services; Title Insurance Support Services; Title Insurance Compliance Consulting Services; Administrative Support Services; Signing Agent Services; Document Translation Services (English/Spanish).

• Conducted research on emerging trends within industry and capitalized on finds to develop new products, services and strategies.

• Attended trade shows and client meetings, promoting company brand and building rapport with prospects and partners.

• Achieved under-budget and on-time project management to adhere to project goals.

• Built and capitalized the CUSO title agency business plan approved by the BOD.

• Built productive relationships with industry partners and competitors to support strategic business objectives.

• Developed key operational initiatives to drive and maintain substantial business growth which included designing and implementing internal policies measured with heavy compliance strategies to meet external regulations.

• Maintained effective staff and resource utilization rates to balance financial and operational obligations.

• Devised new promotional approaches to boost customer numbers and market penetration while enhancing engagement and driving growth.

ENTITY FORMATION

• Checked availability & reserved corporate names.
• Drafted / filed certificates formation, dissolution and amendment for domestic and foreign entities.
• Drafted / filed various state and federal tax forms (S election of corporations, applications for FEIN, local business privilege forms).
• Recorded and transcribed corporate minutes.
• Performed due diligence and assisted with liquidations, dissolutions, acquisitions and stock transfers of entities.
• Prepared and maintained corporate records (hard and digital copies).

COMMERCIAL, REAL ESTATE & CORPORATE FINANCE

• Prepared pertinent documentation and closing checklists.
• Identified principals, lenders, counsel, trustees, boards, or other parties to the transaction & determine roles & contact information for all.
• Requested and reviewed UCC searches.
• Drafted simple mortgages, UCC financing statements, bills of sale, resolutions, closing statements, agreements, etc.
• Requested COGS/COEs.
• Communicated with paralenders & paralegals to assist with due diligence.
• Assisted with assembly and execution of documents at closing.
• Prepared closing files (verify all documents were properly signed & notarized; all attachments, schedules, exhibits were attached).
• Monitored pending or post-closing items.

GOVERNMENT CONTRACTING - Bid Protests (Agency & GAO)

• Prepared checklists and reminders for crucial deadlines.
• Printed and bound hard copies of appropriate documents in accordance with FAR and GAO rules and regulations.
• Worked closely with lead attorney to assist in preparing and redacting drafts of filings and transmittal of final draft.

• Examined residential and commercial titles searches.

• Mapped legal descriptions and corrected intricate legal description discrepancies by deciphering missing and/or erroneous information.

• Acted as the curative title insurance hub for the firm’s Real Estate, REO & Foreclosure departments; served as a central point of contact for title related communications between internal and external parties, including but not limited to: maintaining records for internal and external audits, monitoring workflow production, training personnel in basic title insurance principles, keeping abreast of the latest real estate & legal trends through various sources such as underwriters, periodicals, web based sources and professional affiliations.

• Processed high volumes of claims per month against title insurance policies; monitored such claims from submission through resolution via strong interaction with internal file processors, client companies, and underwriting counsel.

• Identified and pursued to the point of resolve, all available curative options to title defects, operating within the guidelines of the respective underwriting company and ensuring that all practices and solutions are in compliance with state law and other governing entities such as RESPA, HUD and VA.

• Researched, developed and spearheaded the implementation of an interactive, paperless environment to produce a direct correlation in increased workflow and lowered operating expenses.

• Oversaw the curative department by providing supervision, mentoring and selecting appropriate learning and development resources.

ADMINISTRATION

• Responsible for employee training and continued learning and development.
• General small office administration (accounts payable & receivable, account signatory, order supplies, interview and hire staff, tracking employee benefits and bonuses.
• Performed periodic employee performance reviews and make recommendations to owner.
• Implemented new training methods to improve morale and productivity.
• Researched creative and new promotional packaging directed towards realtors and lenders, using tools such as cost analysis, media options, direct correspondence, yellow pages, radio, web resources, local affiliations, television, newspaper.
• Operated, maintained and balanced the firm’s operating and trust accounts and generate reports to comply with monthly accountability audits including p&l and budget analysis.

REAL ESTATE CLOSER

• Performed full real estate closing and title services in a fast paced, high volume setting, focusing on close scrutiny of closing documents from contract to closing table.
• Fluent knowledge of CONV, FHA, VA, foreclosure transactions and respective compliance requirements.

• Performed full real estate closing and title services in a fast paced, high volume setting, focusing on close scrutiny of closing documents from contract to closing table.

• Fluent knowledge of CONV, FHA, VA, foreclosure transactions and respective compliance requirements.

• Responsible for firm’s REO pre-foreclosure and post-foreclosure title insurance and closings.

• Assisted with closing commercial transactions.

• Researched curative options for title issues prior to closing.

• Assisted with team lead exercised including maintaining team motivation, attitude and efforts through example and leadership, especially during times of heavy stress.

• Implemented strategies to better increase workflow such as suggesting more innovative software and introducing a digital storage system to replace the existing hard copy protocol.

REAL ESTATE

• Performed residential and commercial real estate closing and title services.
• Prepared and processed eviction referrals.
• Handled real estate litigation files.

DOMETIC RELATIONS

• Maintained communication with clients, prepared initial pleadings for simplified & contested dissolutions.
• Prepared pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements.

BANKRUPTCY

• Gathered necessary information to prepare petitions in relation with Chapter 7 and 13 filings.

PROBATE

• Prepared petitions and subsequent pleadings.
• Assisted with due diligence such as locating and transferring estate assets.
• Prepared and submitted notices for publication.
• Acted as point of contact for outside parties.
• Handled disbursement and reconciliation of the estate.

• Performed residential real estate closing services.

• Assisted with preparation and filing of legal documents in connection with uncontested domestic relations matters.

• Assisted with entity formation and maintenance of corporate records.

• Attended preliminary meetings for estate planning.

• Assisted with reconciliation of firm’s trust account

• General clerical duties such as: answering phone, organizing and scheduling attorney / client meetings; assisted with formatting and preparing documents; drafting correspondence as requested; maintaining the firm calendars.

• Rotating assignments on a short-term basis.

• Services provided for legal firms in various areas of law.

• Transcription of sensitive information provided from account with local DEA sources.

• Transcriptions from Spanish to English and vice-versa with a keen ability to detect audio specificities from various surveillance sources such as videotapes, wires, kels and microphones.