***** ***** ** • Coxsackie, NY *****

518-***-****

NATASHA AFIYA YATES abnjlk@r.postjobfree.com

Admitted to the New York Bar

Highly motivated, creative and integrity-driven professional who has demonstrated the ability of solving complex

problems in fast-paced environments. Strong legal and business qualifications with over 7 years of hands-on experience

in business development, project management, case management and investment strategy. Proven ability to successfully

analyze an organization's critical business requirements, identify deficiencies and potential opportunities and develop

innovative and cost-effective solutions for increasing revenues.

Recognized as a dynamic and intelligent leader who has a propensity to initiate positive changes with strengths in

negotiation, public relations, reengineering business processes and building effective and productive working

relationships with clients and staff. Praised for skillfully managing human and financial resources and for remaining

calm where others would (want to) jump out of windows. Areas of expertise: Commercial Real Estate/Bank

Finance/Commercial Mortgage-backed Securities/M &A deals/Corporate Law

PROFESSIONAL H ISTORY

Y ATES D EV E LO P MEN T LLC, WASHINGTON, DC Investment Advisor, January 2007 – Present

Identified and advised company as to potential sites for commercial development based on financing and feasibility

studies of nursing homes, subdivisions and multi-unit properties. Performed real estate due diligence for potential sites

by investigating current zoning, environmental, easements, encumbrances and ownership. Conducted preliminary

discussions with owners and government officials to determine the probability of obtaining variances and the costs

involved with developing sites.

S ID LEY AU STIN LLP, NEW YORK, NY Structured Finance Associate, May 2006 – November 2006

Recruited by a former colleague to join a four-person team (three of whom were partners) to represent lenders in

transactions involving commercial mortgage-backed securities, including transactions with A/B notes, participation

structures, mezzanine loans and preferred equity investments. Supervised in-house counsel to ensure a complete

evaluation of properties. Evaluated the risks to the investors in purchasing different types of certificates, which involved

an analysis of each of the underlying properties and an assessment and disclosure of the risks associated with each

property in order to accurately disclose them in the prospectus. Drafted, reviewed and edited disclosure information in

prospectus.

S HEAR MAN & STE RLIN G, LLP, NEW YORK, NY Real Estate Associate, Summer 2002 - April 2006

Pro Bono Associate, International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, July 2005

Represented borrowers and lenders in mezzanine and multi-property finance and refinance and/or modification of

securitized loan transactions. Worked efficiently and effectively with clients and other related third parties on a daily

basis. Broad transaction experience with an emphasis on reviewing, negotiating and drafting documents and related

agreements in connection with commercial leasing, sale and acquisition of property, corporate mergers and acquisitions

and development of world financial corporate headquarters for both commercial and retail use. Participated in the

research and writing for major genocide case for the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda located in Tanzania.

H O WARD U NIV E R SITY S C HO O L O F LA W, WASHINGTON, DC Research Assistant, May 2001 - D ecember 2002

Selected, summarized and edited cases for then-impending antitrust textbook. Organized, proposed and strengthened

interstitial material for antitrust textbook. Verified and updated research for law review articles.

E A RLI ER H IS TO RY :

THE FREE LIBRARY OF PHILADELPHIA FOUNDATION, PHILADELPHIA PA Membership Coordinator, September 1999 - August 2000

YATES FINANCIAL CORPORATION, SOUTHFIELD, MI Project Associate, Summers 1995 - 1997

Legal Education / Undergraduate Education

HOWARD UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW, WASHINGTON, DC

Doctor of Jurisprudence, 2003

Honors: Article Editor, Howard Law Journal; Epsilon Sigma Iota; Merit Scholar; Top 15%

UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA, PHILADELPHIA, PA

Bachelor of Arts, Politics, Philosophy and Economics, 1999

Activities: Drama Productions; Bloomers (musical comedy troupe); Philomathean Society

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