Tara Riseling

• Manage and track the full lifecycle of contracts by meticulously logging expiration dates, termination deadlines, and renewal timelines, ensuring compliance and preventing costly lapses
• Review and analyze extensive eDiscovery documents utilizing Relativity, assisting in efficient legal proceedings, and ensuring comprehensive document management for accurate case representation
• Draft, redline, and finalize a wide variety of contracts, collaborating closely with external counsel on litigation, M&A, bankruptcy, and special projects, ensuring all legal standards are met
• Develop and implement a robust internal legal filing system, significantly enhancing organizational efficiency, document accessibility, and compliance with regulatory requirements
• Conduct thorough due diligence and detailed analysis of complex contracts and lease agreements, identifying and capitalizing on cost-saving opportunities to ensure favorable terms for the company
• Assist in meticulous data collection for bankruptcy proceedings, supporting legal strategies and case management with accurate and timely information, and facilitating smooth legal operations
• Created a comprehensive legal database and contract tracker from scratch, systematically identifying expired contracts and canceling those no longer needed, resulting in substantial cost savings for the company
• Identified and reviewed an unused office lease, successfully negotiating a sublease that resulted in over $2M in annual savings, demonstrating strategic financial foresight and resource optimization
• Enhanced case efficiency by organizing and maintaining legal documents, files, and correspondence.
• Edited and proofread legal documents to verify accuracy.

• Managed and tracked legal invoices and accruals, ensuring accurate and timely processing by coordinating with finance department, maintaining financial compliance, and supporting detailed budgeting requirements
• Drafted comprehensive Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) tailored to various business dealings and partnerships, ensuring confidentiality, protection of sensitive information, and compliance with legal standards
• Prepared detailed amendments and addendums to agreements, including Influencer Agreements, Supplier Terms & Conditions, SOW’s, SaaS and Talent Agreements, ensuring clarity and compliance with company policies
• Oversaw entire contract lifecycle by managing, tracking, logging, and summarizing contracts, focusing on expiration dates, termination deadlines, and renewals to prevent costly lapses
• Assisted on variety of special projects, providing legal expertise, conducting thorough research, and ensuring successful completion within designated timelines and compliance with all legal standards
• Ensured corporate compliance by preparing and filing annual reports in multiple jurisdictions, maintaining company's good standing, adhering to regulatory requirements, and avoiding penalties
• Streamlined contract submission process to legal department, identifying best attorney for each contract type, thereby improving efficiency, and ensuring timely reviews and approvals
• Inherited 10 unfiled annual reports in various states, successfully negotiating with state authorities to eliminate late fees and bringing company into good standing, saving hundreds of dollars

• Managed, tracked, and reviewed legal invoices via CounselLink, ensuring adherence to company billing guidelines and securing necessary attorney approvals
• Generated comprehensive reports, managing cases, and setting up new vendors to streamline legal processes
• Prepared and filed various licenses, including alcohol and beverage, FDA, and business and food storage/warehouse licenses, ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements and avoiding legal penalties
• Guaranteed corporate compliance by preparing and filing annual reports, Doing Business As (DBA) filings, and qualifications across multiple jurisdictions, maintaining company's good standing and regulatory adherence
• Reviewed and identified legal invoices that were not in accordance with company billing guidelines, contacting vendors to revise incorrect invoices or negotiate lower rates, saving thousands of dollars in incorrect billing charges
• Trained new employees on company policies and legal standards.
• Liaised with other paralegals and legal staff to complete common tasks on schedule.

• Managed and tracked contracts and leases, including retail, wholesale, and office agreements, by summarizing key terms, gathering supporting documents, and managing amendments, estoppel certificates, and construction contracts
• Drafted and filed essential legal documents such as Non-Disclosure Agreements, SOW’s, SaaS, annual reports, state charity reports, and Letters of Authorization, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and maintaining corporate good standing
• Oversaw company's global contract database and prepared detailed quarterly reports for compliance and legal departments, ensuring efficient contract processing, accurate tracking, and comprehensive regulatory adherence
• Edited and proofread legal documents to verify accuracy.
• Liaised with other paralegals and legal staff to complete common tasks on schedule.
• Promoted a positive work environment by providing training and guidance to interns as needed.

Reviewed, obtained, and managed Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs), loan purchase agreements, and bank recertifications to maintain confidentiality, secure transactions, and good standing with financial institutions

• Fulfilled due diligence requests and completed various applications, including correspondent, wholesale, MSR, and government applications, by organizing and submitting documents, ensuring thorough and timely compliance
• Monitored NMLS for complaints, sanctions, and fines against brokers and correspondents, coordinating and attending audits with executives to ensure compliance with state, federal, and bank regulations
• Reviewed and analyzed government applications, such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, determining qualifications for various programs and ensuring the company meets all regulatory requirements
• Liaised with other paralegals and legal staff to complete common tasks on schedule.
• Edited and proofread legal documents to verify accuracy.
• Improved document organization by implementing a comprehensive file management system for easy access to essential business materials.

Promoted a positive work environment by providing training and guidance to other paralegals as needed.