Manager Real Estate

ROCHELLE SMITH **********@*****.***

*** ***** ****** *** **, Brooklyn, New York 11238 954-***-****

Florida Bar: Successfully passed Florida Bar examination

New York Bar: Bar admission pending

EDUCATION

Cornell Law School, Juris Doctor Ithaca, NY May 2006

Honors: Legal Information Institute, Editor (competitively selected)

Activities: Trial Advocacy Program, Moot Court and Black Law Students Association

University of Miami, B.S. Communications, cum laude Coral Gables, FL May 2003

Activities: The Communique, Editor

Internships: The Miami Herald, Student Reporter Miami, FL Fall 2003

The Courier-Journal, Copy Editor Louisville, KY

Summer 2002

LEGAL EXPERIENCE

2009 - 2010

The Early Learning Coalition

Contracts Manager Coral Gables, FL

Managed $6 million in contracts and grants covering partnerships with The Children’s Trust, University of

Miami, Miami-Dade County, and Leapfrog, Inc. Reviewed procurement bids and quotation processes in

compliance with County, State and Federal regulations. Drafted RFPs, analyzed balance sheets to ensure

contractors remained within budget, and assessed risk, liability and financial impact of undertaking new social

programs, including projects related to mobile dental units and installation of daycare playgrounds. Drafted and

renegotiated contracts, presented quarterly reports to the Board of Directors, managed subcontractor budget

portfolios, and advised subcontractors on financial disclosure and regulatory compliance issues. Successfully

avoided state audit after discovering and correcting a $3,000 accounting discrepancy. Fostered internal

relationship between contract and finance departments.

2009

Huron Consulting Group

Document Review Attorney Miramar, FL

Responsible for e-discovery and document review associated with the prospective merger of Pfizer Worldwide,

Inc. and an international pharmaceutical competitor. Assessed documents for compliance with disclosure and

production mandates of the Canadian Competition Bureau, anti-competitive regulations and privileged attorney-

client communications.

2008 - 2009

Miami Community Redevelopment Agency

Associate Miami, FL

Managed four community development projects for low-income housing, including drafting grant proposals and

monitoring construction schedules. Drafted the “Finding of Necessity” report required for the expansion of the

Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment area based on its national status as a “blighted”

quadrant. Drafted and reviewed consultant contracts, professional service agreements, RFPs and RFQs. Served

as a liaison between developers and community leaders to determine local housing and employment needs.

Drafted legislation for the development of low- income housing for approval by the Miami City Commission

and prepared items for agenda semi-monthly. Reviewed contractor/subcontractor agreements and drafted legal

complaints for breach of contract. Attended commission meetings to assist general counsel in debriefing city

commissioners.

2006 - 2008

City of Miami, Office of the City Attorney

Legal Consultant Miami, FL

Assigned to Transactional and Land Use practice groups. Successfully petitioned the USPTO citing trademark

infringement, which resulted in the City’s exclusive right to the trademark “Orange Bowl Stadium.” Drafted a

winning motion to dismiss based on lack of standing and insufficient service of process, which allowed Home

Depot to retain a major use special permit. Successfully quashed a petition for writ of certiorari, where the

Third DCA found that the City’s interpretation of the terms “density” and “intensity” was consistent with the

Miami Comprehensive Plan. Drafted legal opinions and memoranda for areas of law including: tax, trademark,

FCC regulations, election law, eminent domain, and land use, including the Miami 21 rezoning initiative.

Advised city commissioners on compliance with Florida Sunshine Law, and assisted senior attorneys in all

phases of complex commercial and land use litigation, including drafting appeals.

Published Article: “Greener on the Other Side: Using Legislation to Promote Environmental

Responsibility” Lorman Seminar 2007

2005

Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge, LLP

Summer Associate West Palm Beach, FL

Assigned to Litigation, Transactional and Real Estate practice groups. Successfully petitioned the IRS to form a

501(c)(3) corporation, assisted in restructuring a corporation to include an employee stock option plan, managed

due diligence for a corporate client’s prospective merger, advised a national bank on trustee rights, and advised

a corporation of its tax liabilities resulting from governmental dissolution. Drafted legal memoranda for areas

of law including: secured bonds, bankruptcy, ERISA regulations, patent transfers and employment

discrimination.

COMMUNITY SERVICE

House of Hope, South Florida

Board of Directors Miami, FL 2009 - present

House of Hope, South Florida, is a not-for-profit, Christian-based 501 (c)(3) organization, and an affiliate of National House of Hope.

The mission of House of Hope is to reach, rehabilitate and restore troubled youth and families by providing safe homes, family

counseling and education to troubled boys and girls ages 13-17.

Legal Services for Women in Need Community Services Project

Volunteer Miami, FL 2009 - present

Directed by the Gwen S. Cherry Black Women Lawyers Association. Responsibilities included meeting with

women at domestic violence shelters who were in need of legal assistance. Conduct intake interviews to

ascertain the nature of their legal issue(s) and assist them in completing documentation.

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