Toskanelia Palmer
Real Estate Paralegal
Chicago,IL
Summary
Confident Litigation Support Specialist with 15 years of expertly preparing for cases and supporting attorneys with technical, marketing and clerical matters. Personable yet assertive professional with expertise in Real Estate, Family Law, Personal Injury and Bankruptcy. Effectively communicated with all stakeholders to create compelling stories from evidence and related documents. Background includes pulling records, drafting motions and managing litigation calendars. Excellent communication and planning skills with a hardworking and dedicated nature. Experienced in offering strong attention to detail while reviewing documents, checking sites and searching titles. Well-versed in logistical complexities of trial preparation.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
2
2
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Litigation Paralegal
Mandarich Law Group, LLP
Chicago, IL
10.2021 - Current
- Assist 3 attorneys (Illinois, Nevada, and California) with negotiating with defendants and attorneys before the court via phone, e-mail, and regular mail to settle contested Wage garnishment cases
- Assist with drafting and filing motions as well as responses to motions from defendants
- Project Management of distribution of new collection activities
- Responsible for accurately entering information from clients regarding customer complaints, disputes, and other issues to firm's internal system
- Track and monitoring complaints, disputes, and other information in firm's internal system
- Corresponding to client(s) requests for information on pending and active litigation
- Maintain communication with management regarding development within areas of assigned responsibilities and performs special projects as required
- Handling customer or attorney phone calls and incoming qualified written correspondence
- Open and update tasks for monitoring as well as delegating tasks to team members
- Field questions about case and settlement from management as well as present complete case to management with recommendations for settlement
- Reporting and discussing litigation on accounts with senior management in monthly litigation meetings
- Updating litigation database and reports with current information on status of litigation, strategy currently used, upcoming critical events, and dates and/or settlements with clients
- E-filing suits and stipulations for judgments
- Staying abreast of current consumer laws for Illinois/California/Nevada
- Negotiating Settlement Agreements per direction of attorney
- Monitor production, quality control, and data integrity of documents completed by Teams
- Ensure Teams provide professional and comprehensive customer service to internal and external customers
- Docketing relevant information and communicating with court clerks for status updates via phone/email
- Closing accounts in JST system once certain criteria have been met.
- Organized evidence, exhibits, motions and subpoenas to support cases and prepare for trial.
- Completed electronic court filings at state and federal levels.
- Managed exhibits, evidence and data related to California legal proceedings.
Real Estate Paralegal/Residential/Commercial
Chicago Power Brokers
Chicago, IL
04.2011 - Current
- Liaison between attorneys, clients, loan officers, closing agents, sales brokers, title insurance companies, surveyors, and appraisers during due diligence process through closing of Residential/Commercial Real Estate transactions
- Review/clear title, and survey via research and use of online tools and county courthouse
- Develop marketing/pricing strategies to generate new business leads
- Manage marketing budgets and analyze trends
- Review and analyze contracts, leases, easements, restrictive covenants, declarations, and other legal documents
- Draft and prepare ancillary transaction documents such as escrow instructions, estoppel certificates, deeds, easements, memorandum of leases, restrictive covenants, and non-disturbance agreements
- Gather transactional documents to facilitate acquisition of buying, selling, and leasing
- Work with construction teams to address construction-related issues
- Completion of residential closing transactions from start to finish representing Buyer/Seller as Broker of Record for purchase or sales
- Researched real estate customs and laws of various jurisdictions throughout Illinois
- Ensured accuracy and receipt of mortgage payoffs
- Provide document preparation for property owners and real estate investors
- Drafted lease agreements, amendments, and assignments, for new and existing clients
- Assisted Attorneys with Real Estate transactions including title work, title searches, deed preparations, powers of attorney, affidavits, foreclosure notices of sale, and demand letters
- Provided property management services for commercial/residential owners.
- Used public/private databases such as MRED, Cook County Recorder of Deeds and Remine to conduct research.
- Organized contracts and closing documents for rentals and purchases.
- Reviewed and interpreted site plans, maps and blueprints.
- Prepared legal property descriptions for use in transactions.
- Tracked and processed easement documents in accordance with policies and applicable laws.
- Researched statutes, decisions, legal articles and codes.
- Reviewed case files and reported case progress to clients.
Site Development Specialist
Wiverse
Chicago, IL
06.2019 - 03.2020
- Sprint is a Wireless company responsible for supplying wireless throughout the country
- Served as primary point of contact for specific group of sites and oversaw site development activities, including leasing, permitting, and land use processing
- Drove vendors for jurisdictional approvals, including tracking and reviewing applications and presentations before governmental or architectural review boards
- Coordinated with engineering department to obtain information necessary for entitlement applications (RF Affidavits, propagation maps, photo-simulations, etc.) Worked closely with other work groups (e.g., transport, construction, etc.) to coordinate site development activities
- Managed all site documentation about site acquisition process
- Reviewed and approved site-specific documents for quality and completeness
- Ensured Regulatory requirements were met
- Monitored and tracked progress on all open transactions, ensuring database data was current/accurate
- Interfaced with landlords and governmental agencies
- Organized and prioritized multiple applications and projects
- Researched identified areas
- Identified candidate(s)
- Prepared reports
- Presented qualified candidate (or “no candidate”) package to client
- Negotiated on behalf of client lease or amendments with landlord
- Coordinated with Client’s legal department
- Obtained entry and testing agreement
- Completed and submitted tower applications
- Coordinated and tracked preparation of lease with owner from start to finish
- Performed title searches
- Reviewed existing Client leases to verify scope of work is covered
- Notify Client of any conflicts between existing lease and proposed work (equipment rights, lease area, rent increase, etc.) Obtain owner approvals for testing
- Coordinated changes to standard lease/license with Client’s legal department
- Obtained business decision approvals from Client
- Negotiated, drafted, and acquired all easements for access and utilities
- Completed and submitted all zoning/permitting applications
- Coordinated all documents necessary for submittal and completion of zoning/permitting process.
- Identified training needs and developed content while evaluating existing programs.
- Obtained, organized and developed training procedure manuals, guides and course materials.
- Assessed training needs through surveys, interviews with employees, focus groups and consultation with managers.
- Offered specific training programs to help workers maintain or improve job skills.
- Developed individualized and group programming and safety plans in support of academic achievement.
- Administered government-supported community development programs and promoted department programs and services.
- Completed projects in alignment with target deadlines and financial objectives.
- Presented information using variety of instructional techniques or formats, such as role-playing, simulations, team exercises, videos and lectures.
- Designed, planned, organized and directed orientation and training programs for employees or customers.
Customer Development Analyst/Relocation Project Manager
Housing Opportunities Unlimited
Chicago, IL
10.2012 - 04.2014
- Promoted HOU Mobility program via social media channels and direct mailings to CHA Voucher participants
- Responded to inquiries regarding HOU’s Mobility Program regarding eligibility questions and placement
- Developed and attended Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program events related to presenting program to recruit participants (commercial property owners, land developers, voucher holders) for Mobility Counseling Program
- Maintained calendar of Mobility program orientations/workshops weekly
- Provided updates to Chicago Housing Authority regarding number of participants (owners/developers/property owners) enrolled in HOU’s HCV (Housing Choice Voucher) program
- Set up 24-call Center for service providers, and other referral entities
- Simplified mobility program services between Chicago Housing Authority contractors, Real Estate Brokers, credit repair vendors, furniture stores, and relevant HCV staff/contractors on participant issues/concerns to ensure smooth transition when providing customer success
- Provided Broker Price Opinions to CHA and Developers on market-rate rents to ensure inflated rents were not abused in program
- Monitored CHA contractors that provide services to mobility participants to ensure required services are provided (e.g., financial counseling, how to be a good neighbor, and unit search) and that contractor caseloads are evenly distributed
- Monitored participant and program activities in CHA's data management systems
- (Yardi, Salesforce) and provided regular reporting on program activities to Director of Mobility Counseling
- Coordinated with partners within HUD-funded regional mobility demonstration project
- Coordinated with CHA's Housing Rights and Nondiscrimination staff on Fair
- Set up monthly meetings with new landlords/participants of Mobility Counseling Program
- Successfully Placed 300 CHA Voucher Holders throughout various Mobility neighborhoods.
- Optimized business and management practices to improve all facets of project development and execution.
- Led key projects while managing timelines and meeting deadlines within budgetary limits.
- Enhanced operational and team practices to optimize project development.
- Scheduled and facilitated meetings between project stakeholders to discuss deliverables, schedules and conflicts.
- Built successful project plans covering objectives, resources and staffing to meet schedules.
- Sourced, vetted and managed vendors needed to accomplish project goals.
- Proved successful working within tight deadlines and fast-paced atmosphere
- Resolved problems, improved operations and provided exceptional service
- Worked flexible hours across night, weekend and holiday shifts
- Completed paperwork, recognizing discrepancies and promptly addressing for resolution
- Worked to maintain outstanding attendance record, consistently arriving to work ready to start immediately
- Created spreadsheets using Microsoft Excel for daily, weekly and monthly reporting
Education
Certified Paralegal - Paralegal Studies
Robert Morris University
Chicago, Illinois 05.2001 -
Managing Broker Real Estate License - Real Estate Transactions
Chicago Real Estate School
Chicago, Illinois 05.2011 - 06.2011
Certified Mortgage Field Inspector - Residential And Commercial Mortgages
Mortgage Field Services
Chicago, IL 02.2021 - Current
Skills
Yardi/Appfolio
JST Litigation Software
MS Office Suite/MS Teams/Slack
Commercial Property Management
Brief and opinion writing/Disposition tracking
Legal Research/State Court filings
Marketing/Budgeting/Marketing
Multiple Listing Service
Communication/Customer Relationship Management
Worked in fast-paced environment while managing staff and customer concerns
Maintained high level of service with every customer
Strong organizational and time management skills
Legal Research/Title Survey
Contract Negotiations
Worked in a fast-paced environment, managing multiple clients and regularly handling difficult situations
Facilitate meetings with architects, engineers, lenders and property managers to ensure projects were completed on time and in an effective manner
Effectively negotiate lease terms and prices with each client
Remine/ Skip Tracing
Budgeting/Rent Collection
Security deposits, rent payment deposits, payroll documents, accounts payable and Profit and Loss Variance
Monitor all capital improvements, deferred maintenance
Review and analyze all bid summaries for purchase of goods and services
Serve as property representative in court proceedings, understanding all property legal issues affecting residency, storage, abandonment, bankruptcy, fair housing and unlawful detainer/eviction actions
Monitor daily move-in/move-out reports; verify accuracy and completeness of lease packages, follow-up daily on all notices to vacate to determine reason for moving and the possibility of renewal Ensure timely processing of move-outs
Inspection of the property and market ready units for curb appeal, safety and over- all condition
Train, coach, and mentor team members; ensure team members receive the necessary training to adhere to company policies and procedures
Lead by example Accept responsibility for all actions on the property and hold direct reports accountable Keep files, desk, office and calendar organized
Affiliations
- Certified Negotiation Expert
- Nala, The Paralegal Association
- Broker Price Opinion Specialist
- Association of Realtors Chicago
- Association of Realtors National
- National Association of Realtors
- Toastmasters
- Certified Mortgage Field Inspector
Additional Information
Certified Negotiation Expert
Certified Real Estate Paralegal
Chicago Association of REALTORS® (CAR)
Illinois Association of Realtors® (IAR)
National Association of Realtors® (NAR)
Timeline
Litigation Paralegal
Mandarich Law Group, LLP
10.2021 - Current
Certified Mortgage Field Inspector - Residential And Commercial Mortgages
Mortgage Field Services
02.2021 - Current
Site Development Specialist
Wiverse
06.2019 - 03.2020
Customer Development Analyst/Relocation Project Manager
Housing Opportunities Unlimited
10.2012 - 04.2014
Managing Broker Real Estate License - Real Estate Transactions
Chicago Real Estate School
05.2011 - 06.2011
Real Estate Paralegal/Residential/Commercial
Chicago Power Brokers
04.2011 - Current
Certified Paralegal - Paralegal Studies
Robert Morris University
05.2001 -