Zahíra Y. Colón-Collazo, J.D., LL.M.

acyrmy@r.postjobfree.com

787-***-****

Pembroke Pines, FL 33028

EDUCATION

Fordham University School of Law New York, NY

International Law and Justice LL.M. (Master of Laws) Jan. 2009 - Dec. 2009

University of Puerto Rico, School of Law San Juan, PR

Juris Doctor, Cum Laude GPA 3.43 Aug. 2004 – May 2007

University of Puerto Rico Bayamon, PR

Bachelor of Science, Major in Human Biology Aug. 1999 - May 2003

Magna Cum Laude GPA 3.71

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

InSite Group Fort Lauderdale, FL

Associate Counsel May 2016 - Present

Responsible for implementing the Contracts Management and Vendor Management processes of the company. Both the Contracts and Vendor Management processes were established in conjunction with the Director of Procurement and the Director of Information Technology (IT) because it was built into SmartSheet, which is the system used by the company for work management.

The Contracts Management Process includes drafting, reviewing, and/or providing advice and counsel regarding non-disclosure agreements, third-party service provider agreements, and policies on contractual issues affecting the company’s business units.

The Vendor Management Process entails ongoing monitoring of the third party’s activities and performance once the contracts are in place as it is essential to the company’s ability to manage risk of the third-party relationship, and implementing contingency plans for terminating the relationship in an effective manner.

Responsible for the review of all of the company’s standard operating procedures (SOPs) prior to management approval and implementation. Collaborate with the Director of Operations to ensure the SOPs reflect the company’s practices and are compliant with industry regulations.

Responsible for providing advice and counsel to senior management members on such matters as labor and employment and contracts.

Responsible for handling the company’s trademark registrations, searches and renewals, and coordinating with outside counsel regarding intellectual property litigation matters.

Member of the company’s Culture Committee which is responsible for defining and promoting the company vision, values, norms, systems, language, beliefs, and habits.

CircleBack Lending, Inc. Boca Raton, FL

Legal and Compliance Associate October 2015 - April 2016

Responsible for implementing the Contracts Management, the Vendor Management, and the State Licensing Management processes of the company. Both the Contracts and Vendor Management processes were established in compliance with the Gramm-Leach Bliley Act (“GLBA”) and they follow the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency’s Guidelines on Third-Party Relationships.

The Contracts Management Process includes drafting, reviewing, and/or providing advice and counsel regarding non-disclosure agreements, third-party service provider agreements, and policies on contractual issues affecting the company’s business units.

The Vendor Management Process entails ongoing monitoring of the third party’s activities and performance once the contracts are in place as it is essential to the company’s ability to manage risk of the third-party relationship, and implementing contingency plans for terminating the relationship in an effective manner.

The State Licensing Process entails ensuring that the company obtains the licenses required to do business in all the states the company lends in, if any, and ensuring that the renewals of said licenses are filed timely.

Collaborate with the Compliance team of the company to provide legal advice to the company’s business units regarding federal consumer finance statutes and regulations such as FDCPA, FCRA, ECOA, TCPA, UDAAP, BSA/AML, OFAC and GLBA.

Provide training to the company’s new hires regarding federal consumer finance statutes and regulations, and the company’s Contracts and Vendor Management processes.

Conduct legal research and analyze rules, regulations, statutes, jurisprudence, opinions, rulings, memoranda, and other materials pertinent to the marketplace lending industry.

Ability to prioritize workload based on deadlines.

Katzman Garfinkel, P.A. Margate, FL

Paralegal August 2014 - September 2015

Responsible for drafting and/or reviewing correspondence, contracts, and other legal documents, and preparing and maintaining hard copy and electronic files of same.

Conduct legal research and analyze rules, regulations, statutes, jurisprudence, opinions, rulings, memoranda, and other materials such as law journals and reviews pertinent to litigation and transactional matters.

Responsible for drafting pleadings, discovery demands, discovery responses, motions and other litigation documents.

Attend trade shows to promote the services provided by the firm.

Responsible for leading the firm’s Hispanic Outreach Program.

Ability to prioritize work load based on deadlines.

Ability to communicate effectively with senior attorneys, paralegals, clients and third parties.

Fonroche Energy America, Inc. San Juan, PR

Legal Counsel/ Contracts Specialist May, 2013 – June, 2014

Responsible for providing advice and counsel to senior management members on such matters as labor and employment, renewable energy statutes, and contracts.

Responsible for drafting and closing the corporation’s agreements including all services agreements, supply agreements, lease agreements, turnkey project development agreements, employment contracts, and termination of employment and general release agreements.

Responsible for representing the corporation in meetings, negotiations, and/or public hearings before governmental agencies such as the Puerto Rico Public Housing Administration, the Permits and Management Office (“OGPe” due to its Spanish acronym), the Department of Agriculture, the Planning of Board of Puerto Rico, and the State Insurance Fund Corporation.

Member of the Board of Directors of the corporation since September 16, 2013 in the capacity of Secretary. Responsible for making important administrative decisions of the corporation in conjunction with the other members of the Board of Directors; drafting corporate resolutions; drafting corporate minutes of every meeting of the Board of Directors; and attending meetings with financial institutions to negotiate the financing of the corporation’s projects.

Collaborate with the company’s Project Managers on administrative duties pertaining to the projects developed by the company.

Colón-Collazo Law Offices San Juan, PR

Legal Counsel Jan. 2010 – May 2013

Represent and provide legal counsel to clients in civil law matters, including civil and administrative litigation and other dispute resolution methods, with a focus on family and employment cases and notary law, including but not limited to, divorce, alimony, custody, collection of money, unjust dismissal, employment discrimination, estates, and public deeds.

Conduct legal research and analyze legislative history, jurisprudence, opinions, rulings, memoranda, and other materials such as law journals and reviews regarding the laws applicable to my cases.

Draft motions, contracts, opinions, memorandums of law, letters, deeds, and other legal documents in Spanish and English.

Perform extensive and thorough legal research into the legislative history, precedent cases, decisions, and opinions that may be applicable to my cases. Interpret and apply advanced legal principles and concepts, legal research methods, and data analysis techniques to perform complex tasks.

Notary law practice that includes preparation of affidavits, notarization of documents, purchase and sale deeds, prenuptial agreements, wills, and other public deeds.

Maintain all records and case files organized and up to date; review and manage all administrative aspects of the office, including the budget and other financial aspects.

Metropolitan University Bayamon, PR

Adjunct Professor Aug. 2011 – Dec. 2012

Courses taught include Business Law, Civil Systems, Introduction to Penal Law, Introduction to Social Sciences, and Human Rights in the Contemporary World.

Prepared the syllabus and calendar for each course, as well as the lectures, study materials, assignments, and exams.

Explain and clarify the main concepts of each course; encourage the students in their learning process, and guide them through their college experience.

McConnell Valdés, L.L.C. San Juan, PR

Associate Attorney, Labor & Employment Practice Group Sept. 2007 – Dec., 2008

Represented clients and provided legal solutions involving Labor and Employment matters, including discrimination, wrongful discharge and sexual harassment, arbitration, and other ADR methods.

Provided advice and counsel to clients’ Human Resources Departments and Management, guiding them through every stage of their business' life cycle.

Aided clients with the basic drafting of personnel policies and manuals to the more complex collective bargaining and arbitrations.

Drafting of motions, contracts, opinions, memorandums, and other legal documents in Spanish and English.

Conducted and coordinated research and analysis of complex legal issues.

Handled complex cases in both federal and local courts with thoroughness and creative problem-solving.

Developed close relationships with clients, giving them a more profound scope of their legal needs.

Prepared seminars to keep clients abreast of all the new developments that may impact their business.

Wrote articles for the firm’s quarterly publication, "LABOR PERSPECTIVES". In addition, was responsible for writing the Labor & Employment Law Alerts, which explained hot topics and proposed legislation.

Delegated research duties and drafting of memoranda to Summer Associates and evaluated their work.

University of Puerto Rico, School of Law San Juan, PR

Student Attorney - Immigration Law Legal Aid Clinic Aug. 2006 – May 2007

Represented clients and litigated cases before the Immigration Court of Puerto Rico.

McConnell Valdés, L.L.C. San Juan, PR

Summer Associate June, 2006 – August 2006

Worked in all major Practice Groups of the largest full service law firm in Puerto Rico, including Labor and Employment, Litigation, and Corporate.

Conducted legal research and analyzed legislative history, legal decisions, rulings, memoranda, and other materials surrounding local and Federal law; prepared reports, legal documents, and other materials.

SKILLS

Languages: Native Spanish and English Speaker, Fully Bilingual. Basic knowledge of French.

Computers: ProLaw, Westlaw, LexisNexis, SmartSheet, Trello, Microsoft Office, Corel Programs and Internet.

Excellent legal and analytical research skills.

Excellent verbal and writing skills.

Effective both working independently and as a team member.

Contact this candidate