Management Manager

ELIZA M. NIEBRZYDOWSKI

Buchanan, NY ***** ( 917-***-**** ( *********@*****.***

Legal Administrator / Business Manager, Paralegal

Experienced in management of both law firm and corporate in-house legal

department,

for global and domestic companies

legal administration firm management office operations & services

paralegal support HR benefits

billing & budgeting financial planning vendor management IT/technology

facilities & real estate management space utilization security

corporate legacies personal injury and immigration

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

Akzo Nobel Inc. (Tarrytown, NY)

Nov 2010-Oct 2014

Global Fortune 500 Company 2005-2011 (NYSE/Euronext: AKZA)

Legacy Department Administrator for the Americas, Akzo Nobel Legal Group

. Managed corporate department resources: legal legacy reserves, non-legal

and paralegal matters central to the efficient administration of

corporate legacies throughout the North, Central and South Americas. (The

Legacy Department is the group within the Legal Function which manages

assets, and environmental and other liabilities of divested businesses.)

. Responsible for financial management including multi-million dollar

budgeting, short and long-term forecasting, variance/profit analysis and

e-billing. Prepared, coordinated and implemented annual budget in excess

of $25 million for the corporate department and 150+ sites throughout the

Americas.

. Issued purchase orders, coded invoices, confirmed payment authorizations

from appropriate reserves and cost centers to manage reserves balances

with a prudent approach to reviews, adjustments and releases.

. Envisioned, developed and implemented internal procedures to systematize

growing legacy portfolio. Ensured continuity of intellectual capital /

corporate memory through design and development of legacy matter

database.

. Developed corporate departmental capabilities, resources, and

organizational planning through integration of staff across functions,

BUs and countries. Effectuated teamwork between legal, environmental, and

finance teams involved in resolving legacy issues. Part of a team

responsible for design and implementation of a proprietary global matter

management system.

. Interpreted company policies and procedures, and enforced compliance from

staff and contractors alike. Trained staff in use of new software and

procedures. Took active part in implementation of global e-billing.

Ensured continuity of intellectual capital / corporate memory by managing

records retention, storage and retrieval.

. Researched corporate history to confirm liability, assisted Corporate

Secretary in processing of legal and corporate documents.

. Supported Director of Legacies-Americas in implementation of cost-

effective strategies for optimal resolution of legacy issues. Compiled

and presented various progress and financial reports on regular basis.

. Experienced move manager: orchestrated department's consolidation and

relocations from NJ to NY, and from NY to IL.

. Managed residual real estate properties including title, rent, routine

inspection and maintenance. Assisted in corporate and commercial RE

transactions.

Kayne Anderson Real Estate Partners (Armonk, NY)

Dec 2007 - Oct 2010

Division of Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors (NYSE: KYN, KED, KYE)

Business Manager

. Oversaw all aspects of the day-to-day operations of the Real Estate

equity investment firm.

. Designed and implemented operational procedures for current and future

practices of a newly established branch of a national multi-billion

dollar organization.

. Developed and implemented internal processes to systematize a growing

company.

. Liaised with government and banking authorities to obtain time-sensitive

transaction related documents and assisted in a commercial real estate

transactions due diligence process.

. Organized corporate housekeeping, managed corporate minute books,

prepared status reports for ultra-high net worth investors, supervising

committees, and senior corporate management.

. Verified incoming invoices associated with assets and operations and

allocated expenses to appropriate Funds and entities.

. Determined need and extent, procured, ordered, and coordinated outside

services for the firm and facilities.

. Oversaw organization of company events. Coordinated calendar and heavy

travel for Senior Managing Partner, performed all other executive support

duties to C-level executive.

Levitt & Needleman, PC (New York, NY)

Dec 2000 - Dec 2007

Legal Administrator

. Oversaw day-to-day operations of the leading immigration law firm.

. Developed, interpreted, implemented, and monitored company policies and

work procedures.

. Responsible for key office functions including accounting, human

resources, office services, facilities management, security, office

systems and technology.

. Supervised all clerical and paralegal personnel to ensure adherence to

quality standards, deadlines, and proper procedures.

. Identified staff vacancies, anticipated needs and allocated human

resources, responsible for succession planning. Recruited, and

interviewed potential employees.

. Evaluated employees' job performance, development, and administered

disciplinary actions including termination.

. Administered benefits and performance management systems.

. Developed and implemented proprietary case management system.

. Kept records of hours worked by all employees for payroll and billing

purposes. Enrolled new employees for medical insurance coverage,

retirement plan, administered FMLA, STD/LTD leaves. Authorized and

processed all changes.

. Monitored filing of visa petitions and applications. Compiled deadline

reports for all staff members, monitored and enforced compliance.

. Conflict resolution liaison for clients and employees. Addressed

personnel matters in compliance with applicable laws.

. Oversaw bookkeeping, billing, and debt collection. Reviewed and solved

billing issues. Reviewed and approved all AP transactions and monitored

AR. Negotiated and implemented installment plans as an alternative to

collection (eliminated >$2 million in overdue debt). Oversaw payroll

submissions and authorized OT.

. Coordinated and determined need and extent of outside services ordered

for the firm and facilities. Negotiated with vendors. Selected

contractors/consultants needed for projects to be completed within

budget, solicited bids for new contracts and renewals, selected

providers, negotiated and reviewed work contracts. Responsible

for facilities management services and space planning.

. Supervised: tenant services, security, emergency procedures, rent

collection, inventory control, records storage, mail and reception.

Law Office of Magier & Savrin (New York, NY)

Oct 1998 - Dec 2000

Paralegal

. Prepared and filed immigrant and non-immigrant petitions. Corresponded

with DOL and other Federal Agencies.

. Interviewed clients and translated during client interviews. Applied

knowledge of immigration laws and interpreted regulations preparatory to

filing.

. Trained new employees. Updated junior staff on changes in the laws and

procedures.

. Reviewed, corrected and evaluated work of interns.

. Assisted in residential and commercial Real Estate transactions.

Law Office of B. Tomasz Maj/ Mediator Services Co. (Brooklyn, NY)

Mar 1993 - Oct 1998

Paralegal/Office Manager

. Organized operation of a new law firm for a freshly admitted attorney.

Developed and implemented office procedures for legal records keeping,

databases, calendar, bookkeeping and more.

. Created and maintained legal case management system.

. Investigated auto accident cases (PI), gathered evidence and prepared

legal documents for settlements.

. Translated documents and interpreted during EBTs.

. Interviewed clients, prepared and filed applications and corresponded

with government agencies.

. Conducted legal research, applied knowledge of INS laws and interpreted

regulations preparatory to filing.

. Trained new employees.

. Maintained stock of office supplies.

EDUCATION & TRAINING:

BS in Business Administration, minor in HR Management

Warren National University (Cheyenne, WY)

Paralegal Certificate

Katharine Gibbs School (New York, NY)

Foreign Teaching Degree (6-year), Early Childhood Education

IV Teachers' College (Warsaw, Poland)

MEMBERSHIPS AND AFFILIATIONS:

NYS Notary Public

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