Corporate Paralegal
Resume:
WENDY GRISSOM, CP
*************@*********.***
Enclosed please find for your consideration my introduction letter, resume and summation of
qualifications, I am seeking a position as a Corporate Paralegal. In 1997, I achieved a designation of Certified
Paralegal after completing accredited courses in Paralegal studies.
My proficiency is in corporate governance matters in private and public sectors with emphasis on
securities, board of director’s issues, routine and complex corporate tasks. My other in-house experience ranges
from; Corporate Governance, Board of Directors, Compliance/Regulatory, Contract Administration, Transactional
(M&A), IP matters and Litigation Management. In addition, I am a highly trained professional with top notch
administrative skills with a can-do-attitude who is professional and discreet.
Since 2009, I have been employed as a Contract In-House Corporate Paralegal on long-term assignments.
I have worked on numerous high-level projects as well as performing daily corporate tasks. I was appointed an
interim Assistant Corporate Secretary on one assignment.
From February 2007 through January 2009, I was employed at Mirant Corporation as an Assistant
Corporate Secretary/Paralegal. My primary role was overseeing compliance in the governance and securities areas
for 100+ companies. My work included both domestic and international companies. I coordinated the Board of
Directors and Committee meetings for each calendared meeting from start to completion.
Prior to permanent employment with Mirant, I worked as a Contractor for Mirant in the corporate
governance area assigned to numerous projects. Prior to Mirant, I worked as an Independent Paralegal Contractor
for 2 years on long-term assignments for organizations in a growth mode; my goal was to bring my many
resources and skills and assist companies in achieving positive results. I have extensive project based experience.
I have widespread internet experience in regards to research tools available regarding federal, state and
local laws and know how to interrupt and apply them. I also possess excellent verbal and written skills.
I look forward to meeting you in person and discussing my qualifications further in depth.
Sincerely,
Wendy Grissom
WENDY GRISSOM, CP
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
Recognized by members of Senior Management and the Board of Directors for being detail-oriented and
exhibiting strong communication and organizational skills, timely responsiveness and creative solutions in the
performance of the duties as a Corporate Governance Paralegal.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS/ACCOMPLISHMENTS
• Completing a high level technology project regarding entity management and board software
• A clear understanding of federal, state and local regulations for numerous regulated industries
• Vast research experience in corporate governance trends and methodologies
• Successfully performed Corporate Secretary/Paralegal functions for over 160 domestic and foreign
subsidiaries
• The ability to manage numerous high level projects while performing daily tasks efficiently
• Built successful relationships with Board of Directors and Senior Management
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of SOX compliance
EMPLOYMENT
Contract In-House Corporate Paralegal 2009-
Present
Mirant Corporation 2007- 2009
Manager, Corporate Secretary Services
o Ensure the company operated in compliance with its governing documents
o Oversaw corporate governance in the corporate and securities areas
o Drafted minutes of board and executive committee meetings, and ensure approval
thereof at subsequent meetings
o Certify to third parties as necessary the adoption and effectiveness of resolutions of the
board or a committee meeting
o Maintained the corporate records of the company (s), including annual reports and other required filings
o Managed 600 company trademarks and patents
Independent Corporate Paralegal Contractor 2004-2006
Two contract assignments
Beecher Carlson Insurance and Community Loans of America, Inc.
o Performed numerous regulatory tasks as it related to the insurance and title loan
industry. Including obtaining licenses and managing educational requirements
o Worked on disclosure agreements as it relates to title lending countrywide
o Acted as regulatory liaison for both companies when matters arose. Responded to state
agencies inquiries
o Prepared and reviewed numerous contracts for operations and the corporate office
o General corporate work as required
HJ Russell & Company 2002-2003
Corporate Paralegal
o Performed as Corporate Paralegal for 50+ subsidiaries and board of directors liaison
o Served as licensing coordinator for real estate business, airport restaurant and alcohol
licensing countrywide
o Served as sole source of corporate records information and maintained sole
responsibility for providing direction to other departments in the company
o Answered inquires of senior management, field personnel, all legal counsel, auditors
and other third parties
o Coordinated the provision of corporate organizational/governing documents and
direction related thereto during the due diligence, negotiation and closing phases of
various acquisitions/sales and refinancing transactions
o Authored resolutions and coordinated execution by parent board members to ensure
achievement of unanimous written consent in accordance with corporate law
o Assisted senior management in monitoring business activities to ensure compliance with
third party agreements and the company’s governing documents and policies
o Assisted company’s General Counsel in ensuring compliance documents were in order
Suburban Lodges of America 2000-2001
Corporate Paralegal
o Performed as Corporate Paralegal for 40+ subsidiaries
o Initiated and managed all business and state required licensing for hotel chain
business
o Served as source of corporate records information and maintained sole
responsibility for providing information to other areas of the company
o Filed annual reports and work closely with registered agent
o Coordinated the provision of corporate organizational/governing documents and
direction related thereto during the due diligence, negotiation and closing phases of
various acquisitions/sales and refinancing transactions
o Authored resolutions and coordinated execution by parent board members to ensure
achievement of unanimous written consent in accordance with corporate law
o Assisted senior management in monitoring business activities to ensure compliance
with third party agreements and the company’s governing documents and policies
o Assisted company’s senior financial officer and treasurer in ensuring compliance
with debt instruments
NCS Mortgage Services, Inc. 1997-1999
Corporate Paralegal
o Drafted corporate documents pursuant to statutory requirements; filed same with
Secretary of State
o Procured and managed real estate broker licenses countrywide
o Worked with brokers to ensure education and state requirements were adhered to
o Prepared applications for employer identification numbers
o Performed manual and automated legal research tasks
o Drafted client correspondence
o In connection with special litigation project: supervised and participated in
production of documents; coded corporate documents during expedited discovery
period; implemented database in order to track documents
o Maintained all files and legal library
o Edited and updated public relations and legal materials
o Entered, organized and edited information in company database
EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION
Paralegal Certificate, with Honors, Accredited. (90%GPA) 1997
The National Institute of Paralegal Studies, Atlanta, Georgia
Associates Degree, Finance
Miami Dade Community College, Miami, FL
Georgia Notary Public
COMPUTER SKILLS
Microsoft Office Package, SharePoint, Secretariat, GEMS, Board Works, Section 16 Direct, Romeo & Dye
Section 16 Software, LexisNexis, Westlaw, Pacer, CT Advantage and CSC Site. Internet Literate
In-House Qualifications (Domestic and International)
Contract Administration:
• Negotiate and draft contracts, amendments and schedules as required within company guidelines
including NDA’s, Confidentiality Agreements, Licensing Agreements, Real Estate Agreements and other
standard corporate agreements
• Establish compliance for on-going contractual obligations
• Established a standard forms file directory
• Archiving all original contracts, as well as preparing and preserving current operational contract files for
daily corporate operations
• Distribute documents, circulate, and initiate contract for signature and follow up regarding
correspondence to clients for counter-signatures on documents and/or contracts
• Support internal customers with full range of contract support and contract tracking. Interact with
members of operations department, project management, corporate officers, as well as other departments
as contracts and contract data are required
• Edit contract request for routine pre-approved changes to standard contracts
Corporate Governance:
• Formations (Countrywide)
• Dissolutions
• UCC Filings
• Mergers
• Conversions
• D/B/A initial registration and maintenance
• Name Changes
• Draft Secretary and Incumbency Certificates
• File Annual Reports, Maintain Licensing (all types)
• Obtain FEIN #s
• Draft By-Laws and Operating Agreements
• Registered agent liaison
• Prepare written consents/resolutions as it pertain to parent company and subsidiaries
• Overall corporate minute books management
Board of Directors:
• Set up quarterly and annual meetings (in-person and telephonically)
Preparing D&O questionnaires and compiling responses
• Draft agendas for meetings and work closely with in-house counsel
• Prepare board materials for board books (I have experience with hard and electronic board books)
• Manage board attendance as it pertains to board compensation and proxy
• Prepare quarterly board compensation through payment (retainer and meeting fees)
• Plan board logistics for meetings (hotel, car service, overall hospitality)
• Manage stock and equity options (work closely with HR on officers and directors incentive plans as it
pertains to SEC filings )
• Draft board resolutions as it pertains to equity grants
• Attend meetings and take minutes
• Work with Audit, Nominating and Governance, Risk and Compensation Committees Chairperson to
prepare information for meetings
• Address overall inquiries from board members
Securities:
• Assist staff attorneys in review of 8Ks, 10Qs and 10-K’s
• File Forms 3, 4, 5 (Section 16 and Romeo & Dye Software), managed filed SEC documents (retention)
• Work with accounting and internal reporting group to insure timely SEC filings
• Prepare in-house compliance paperwork
• Act as transfer agent liaison for company
• Worked closely with HR on officers and directors incentive plans as it pertains to SEC filings
• Maintained and tracked incentive balances in-house
• Identify and maintain information regarding company insiders
• Research on securities laws as required
Regulatory/Compliance
• Research federal, state and local laws to ensure company is in compliance with such laws
• Prepared numerous filing for FERC
• Actively involved with tracking regulatory trends related to our industry/company and making changes to
controls as warranted
• Work with internal audit to ensure controls are in place for outside auditing purposes
• Trained employees on compliance and regulatory matters as required
• Continue to review and make improvements as need to policies and procedures regarding compliance
• Work with other departments to ensure overall compliance
Transactions (M&A):
• Work with outside/inside counsel from deal inception through closing
• Prepare and review due diligence matters (coordinate and work with other departments)
• Prepare documents/resolutions related to the transaction (including setting up a data room)
• Seek board approval if required/draft resolutions
• Set up closing worksheets and files, manage in-house files and records, prepare closing binders
• Address post closing matters
Litigation:
• Respond to third party discovery requests, address subpoenas, gather production of documents
information/requests
• Work with insurance carriers on coverage
• Research and investigate potential experts, mediators, arbitrators and trial consultants
• Perform legal research using all available resources
• Assist attorneys in managing outside counsel
• Create and manage litigation log and calendar
• EEOC and employment issues
IP:
• Insure proper use of company trademarks and logos (i.e. on company website and day-to-day operations)
• Track and maintain trademark and patent renewals
• Complete state and local fictitious and assumed name filings
• Complete Affidavit Section 8&15
• Compile specimens for new trademark applications and renewals
• Work with inside/outside counsel to complete new applications and renewal registrations for trademarks
• Work with copyright company on licensing and on-going registration
Insurance
• Prepare initial and renewal applications
• Obtain certificates of insurance
• Maintain budget for insurance
• Work as broker’s and insurance company liaison
• File and manage claims, all lines
• Prepare audit and other quarterly and yearly information as needed for management
• Work with internal clients on claims investigations and insurance needs
• Work on insurance companies claims management systems
Accounting/Budgeting:
• Review and approve outside counsel legal invoices
• Work within department’s budget
Contact this candidate