attorney, commercial real estate, residential real estate, franchising
Resume:
Traci L. Loar
Jefferson, Georgia 30549
*********@*****.***
Experience
Traci L. Loar, Attorney at Law
Sole practitioner.
Practice has focused on providing mobile real estate closing services as independent contractor with Cook & James, LLC, Atlanta, Georgia and McDonnell and Associates, Columbia, South Carolina. Perform closings for title companies such as Title Source, Old Republic Title, ServiceLink and ValuAmerica on behalf of multiple lenders, including Quicken, Chase, Bank of America, PennyMac, and Citimortgage. Position involves extensive client interaction, including reviewing and explaining loan documents as well as answering legal questions throughout the closing process. I also provide services to condominium associations and homeowners’ associations, as well as corporate legal services.
Goff Enterprises, Athens, Georgia
2007- January, 2011
General Counsel.
Managed legal and business matters for organization consisting of approximately twenty (20) legal entities as well as individual legal matters for Ray Goff, the principal thereof. Responsibilities were multi-faceted, broad and unpredictable. The job was fast-paced and required flexibility, creativity and the ability to act quickly in unanticipated circumstances. I oversaw and/or handled all of the legal aspects of the different businesses and was also involved in the day-to-day operations of many. My duties had a wide range, including drafting and negotiating contracts, preparing various legal documents, managing rental properties, marketing residential properties and assisting potential purchasers with obtaining financing, assisting development and construction of a 72-lot residential subdivision, handling multiple issues relating to franchise companies, commercial development and event planning.
Fortson, Bentley & Griffin, Athens, Georgia
2006-2007
Practiced commercial and residential real estate law.
Involved in various aspects of commercial real estate. Handled residential real estate closings.
Elrod & Elrod, P.C., Jefferson and Gainesville, Georgia 2001-2006
General practice, including business litigation, criminal defense, domestic, personal injury, real estate, and municipal representation.
Involved in extensive real estate litigation involving zoning and condemnation issues, divorce and child custody cases, contract negotiations, contract disputes, capital murder defense. City attorneys for City of Nicholson. Represented neighborhood homeowners’association, including preparing Declaration, Bylaws, and Covenants and representing association in disputes with homeowners regarding various property issues. Litigation experience includes extensive research and drafting briefs for various state and federal courts.
Hunter, Maclean, Exley & Dunn, P.C., Savannah, Georgia 1997-2001
Practiced commercial real estate law.
Represented borrowers in multi-million dollar real estate development transactions from inception to closing, including survey and plat review, title research, negotiating loan documents and satisfying all lender requirements.
Represented lenders in multi-million dollar transactions including drafting complete loan document packages, negotiating terms and closing the transaction.
Extensive landlord-tenant work, representing clients on both sides of the leasing transaction. Landlord work involved drafting and negotiating leases for large developers with multiple shopping centers and national chain tenants. Tenant work involved negotiating leases for small and large business owners.
Handled sale of outdoor advertising company, including billboard leases.
Prepared licensing agreements, franchise agreements.
Handled various property rights and zoning matters.
Zirkle & Hoffman, Atlanta, Georgia1996-97
Practiced insurance defense law, including workers’ compensation and liability. Prepared pleadings, briefs and related documents. Conducted depositions, hearings and oral arguments. Extensive client contact and client development.
Education
University of Georgia
Bachelor of Arts, Journalism, cum laude 1990
Juris Doctor, cum laude 1996
Member, Editorial Board, Georgia Law Review
Admitted to Georgia Bar 1996
Registered Mediator,
Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution
Community Involvement
Jefferson Historic Preservation Commission
Commissioner, Vice-Chair
As a commissioner, I work closely with the other members of HPC to preserve the heritage and historic character of the City of Jefferson in order to stimulate revitalization and business growth in our small town. It is our responsibility to thoroughly review and research and then either approve or deny every application for a Certificate of Appropriateness for any change to a property located within an historic district. Commissioners are appointed by City Council and act pursuant to local ordinance as well as the Georgia Historic Preservation Act. I have been instrumental in proposing and drafting local ordinances to address inadequacies in former legislation. I have met with property owners and city officials to address issues of compliance as well as to facilitate good working relationships. As a member of the commission, I worked with representatives from the Department of Natural Resources to update and improve the City’s Design Guidelines, organized and promoted fundraising events and promotional campaigns, and continually reach out to form relationships with members of the community. I attend annual training in various areas of historic preservation as required by state law.
Peace Place, Inc.
Member, Board of Directors
Peace Place is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing protection, shelter and support to victims of domestic violence. The Board is responsible for overseeing the operation of the shelter and the thrift store that helps to support it. I am involved in all areas of the organization including fund raising, personnel supervision, and financial review; however, my greatest contributions come from using my legal skills to prepare and/or review contracts, including lease agreements, and policies and procedures. I also ensure corporate compliance by preparing and updating Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, and filings, registrations and notices with the Georgia Secretary of State. I participate in periodic training including a training program for domestic violence organizations by the Georgia Coalition for Domestic Violence.
Habitat for Humanity of Jackson County
Member, Board of Directors
Habitat partners with families to assist them in purchasing decent homes at affordable cost with no interest loans. I have been involved in every aspect of the process from selecting a qualifying family based on strict guidelines, guiding the family through their participation in the construction phase and their contribution of sweat equity, and providing support once they have moved in to their new home to increase their chances of success. I have actively participated in long term and short term strategic planning for our chapter, as well as fundraising, financial review, grant proposals, land purchases and gifts, document preparation and review, legal correspondence, and debt collection.
First Baptist Church of Jefferson
Church Clerk
Adult Sunday School teacher
Various committees
Food Bank volunteer
Jefferson Woman’s Club
Civic organization devoted to philanthropy and community service.
CASA, Former member Board of Directors
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