Corporate Paralegal / Contract Management

RICHARD J. DERR

Tampa, Florida, *****

Home: 813-***-**** Cell: 813-***-****

*********@*****.***

Contract Specialist / Corporate Paralegal with over twenty years of law firm and in-house corporate experience – wide range of expertise includes Securities and Exchange stock offerings, 10-K filings, entity formation and foreign qualification, reviewing and amending agreements and commodity contracts. Drafted, reviewed and negotiated a wide variety of contracts from cradle–to-grave including Construction, Terms and Conditions, Request for Proposal (RFP), Statements of Work (SOS), Affiliation, Business Associate, Data Use, Clinical Trial, Research, Disclosure, Information Technology, and various Vendor Agreements. Provide exceptional attorney and contract management support and loyalty, along with high billables and organizational skills. Office and computer skills include Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook and Word), along with numerous software applications. Lawyer’s Assistant Certificate and member of the National Contract Management Association.

Experience

Contractor for Veterans Administration (September 2011 to September 2015) Tampa, Florida

Veterans Management Services, Inc. (November 2012 to September 2015) Procurement Analyst

Analyzed, audited and closed out contracts and purchase orders pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) for the Department of Veterans Administration (VA), James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital. Worked with Contract Officers (CO) to modify procurement documents in supply, service, construction and prosthetics in order to archive under the FAR.

Proficient in various contract management software tools including Electronic Contract Management Solutions (eCMS), Online Certification System (OLCS), and Veterans Health Information and Technology Architecture (VISTA). Responsible for producing weekly close-out reports in Excel. Possess strong communication skills, both written and verbal.

This position required a security clearance.

TDB Communications, Inc. (September 2011 to September 2012) Contract Support Specialist

Closed out contracts and purchase orders pursuant to FAR for the VA. Assisted CO in reconciling contracts. Researched and uncovered approximately $3 million dollars of obligated but unspent funds for the VA each month. Proficient in various contract management software tools and MS Office© software. Produced weekly close-out reports on Excel. Security clearance.

Johnnie B. Byrd, Sr. Alzheimer’s Center and Research Institute, Inc. Tampa, Florida

January 2005 to September 2008 Contract Coordinator

Drafted, reviewed and negotiated a wide variety of contracts from cradle–to-grave including Construction, Terms and Conditions, Request for Proposal (RFP), Affiliation, Business Associate, Data Use, Clinical Trial, Research, Independent Contractor, Disclosure, Statements of Work (SOS), Information Technology, and various Vendor Agreements as the Institute established itself as the hub for Alzheimer’s research in Florida. Assisted Chief Operating Officer (COO) with contract issues involving the building and furnishing of a $42 million facility on the campus of the University of South Florida.

Responsibilities included change orders, notice to owners, procurement procedures, bids, contracts, grants, corporate filings, annual reports, HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) compliance, construction issues, proofreading and legal research.

Worked directly under COO, Grants Director and with Chief Executive Officer in managing contracts and research grants through execution. Responsibilities included communicating with department heads, scientists, clients, vendors and interfacing with outside counsel on complex legal issues.

Demonstrated an ability to engage and persuade contract managers and executives to meet client expectations and provider capabilities.

-Negotiated cost reductions or concessions in numerous agreements

-Clinical Research Contract Professional Certification 2008

-Authored the “Executive Summary” for the Byrd Institute’s Business Plan

-Drafted and edited Compliance Plan

-Assigned to Compliance Committee by COO

-Created forms for Scientific Advisors’ Committee and Research Grants

-Created numerous internal policy and administrative forms

Served on Human Resources Committee

-Drafted/edited meeting minutes for the Board of Directors, including Finance and Construction Committees

-Assisted in reducing the Institute’s legal and service expenses

Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP New York, New York

October 1985 to May 2004 Senior Corporate Paralegal

Assisted on major transactions with a Wall Street law firm specializing in reviewing and amending agreements, Securities and Exchange stock offerings, 10-K filings, entity formation and foreign qualification, Uniform Commercial Code filings, Rule 144 opinion letters, corporate housekeeping, personal banking, broker/dealer applications, merger documents, derivatives including International Swaps and Derivatives Association Master Agreements, collateralized debt obligations, mortgage-backed securities, swaps, futures and forward commodity contracts.

I assisted with workflow coordination, orientation, interviewing and training of new paralegals. Legal research responsibilities were focused on due diligence, corporate law, and the Federal Register.

-Awarded Certificate of Achievement by Managing Partner in recognition of superior job performance.

-Writer and Editor of firm newsletter

-Member of Continuing Legal Education Committee

Education

University of Notre Dame

B.A. in Psychology with a minor in English

Dean’s Honor List

Player-Coach of Championship Stanford Hall Football Team

Villanova University (2009-2010)

Master Certificate in Government Contract Management

Certificate of Achievement in Essentials of Government Contract Management

Certificate of Achievement in Advanced Contract Management

Certificate of Achievement in Mastering Business Skills

Studied FAR procurement procedures, negotiation techniques, contract administration principles and practices, Request for Proposal, risk management, and the applicable regulations and laws affecting government contract compliance. I have a good understanding of RFI/RFQ/RFP processes.

Adelphi University (1983)

Lawyer’s Assistant Program Certificate (Honors in Corporations and Research)

Brooklyn Prep

-National Honor Society

-Regents Scholarship

-Advanced Placement College Credits in English, Freshmen Seminar, and American History

-Varsity football, basketball, baseball, and debate teams

Contact this candidate