Program Management Contract Administration

Estela M. Andrade Cora, JD

787-***-**** • ***************@*****.***

LEGAL, COMPLIANCE, AND CONFLICT MEDIATION

Administrative Law − Contract Administration − Federal / State Programs − Program Management Hearing Procedures − Bills and Amendments − Research and Analysis − Writing and Transcribing Snapshot: Possess more than 20 years of experience in the field of law for multiple programs and entities that entailed rigorous processes, policies, and procedures and contributed to improve service and productivity. Combination of legal expertise, business acumen, and people skills, key to:

Develop legal mechanism to speed processes for robust compliance, efficiency, and service.

Collaborate in special assignments, such as the creation of new program and rehabilitation projects.

Draft and edit multiple legal documents including motions, opinion letters, and pleadings.

Evaluate department activities to uncover risk areas and create corrective actions.

Train and guide peers and the general public regarding different legal topics and procedures. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Autonomous Municipal Government of Carolina – Carolina, PR Legal Examiner 11/2003 – present

Preside over dozens of administrative hearings yearly for multiple city issues (construction and use permits, public nuisance declarations, revocations, and other matters or disputes for one of the main island cities with a population of 150,000+ people and a budget of $199.6M.

• Collaborate in special projects and assignments in and out of the department: o Lead the project for the improvement of the public nuisance declarations (in progress) to streamline the entire process. Created a legal mechanism in case the succession part (heirs) did not accept the property and it became a donation for the municipality. o Created the structure and workflows for the Dispute Mediation Center for the municipality. o Served as permits advisor for a rehabilitation project in the Municipality of San Juan. o Provided training sessions to the staff regarding research methods for property titles and delivered seminars on regulations of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

• Assist other department for bidding processes and contract preparation and evaluation.

• Analyze upcoming bills and amendments to determine applicability.

• Meet with clients and legal staff to discuss case details, utilize Microjuris to conduct case research and analysis of highly technical information, and made recommendations to various committees on findings.

• Draft and order summons and interrogatories; issue subpoenas for all needed records in preparation for trials, hearings, and other court procedures.

• Analyze law sources including statutes, records of judicial decisions, executive orders, legal articles, constitutions, and legal codes.

Center For Mediation and Conflict, LLC – San Juan, PR Legal Mediator 09/2004 – present

Facilitate communication and agreement between parties in conflict, such as neighbors’ disputes, business partners’ controversies and other cases, some of them referred by the court. Confer with each party to discover causes for the conflict and mediate a path in which both parties reach voluntary resolution to their dispute.

• Report mediation results to the courts upon settlement of disputes.

• Manage all aspects (financials, A/P, A/R, advertising and promotion) of a busy private practice. Estela M. Andrade Cora, JD – Page 2

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Law Offices of Iguina Oharriz, Esq. – San Juan, PR Senior Corporate Paralegal 01/2004 – 07/2004

Collaborated with attorneys and case reviewers for civil cases and legal complaints.

• Organized case exhibits and compiled evidence in preparation for trials at this established law firm.

• Maintained and updated the trial calendar, judicial calendar, and master calendar.

• Researched documents and publications that may become in evidence.

• Prepared clients for hearings and deposition interviews. Law Offices of Reyes Elías, Esq. – San Juan, PR

Paralegal 07/1997 – 12/2000

Provided legal support to attorneys in a civil practice with a log of dozens of cases.

• Worked in tandem with attorneys and case reviewers to assess and resolve legal complaints.

• Transcribed all official court records during civil trial court proceedings, drafted judicial correspondence and processed all court mailings.

• Facilitated courtroom conference calls.

Isolina Ferre Center for Family Guidance – San Juan, PR Program Coordinator 03/1995 – 07/1997

Worked in a federal-funded program to educate and guide youngsters from high-risk populations.

• Worked with education professionals to deliver in-school and community programs.

• Encouraged over 50 students to attend educational and career planning workshops with peers.

• Contacted mental health service providers to coordinate in-school support counseling. EDUCATION

InterAmerican University of Puerto Rico, Law School – Juris Doctor InterAmerican University of Puerto Rico, Metro Campus – Master ‘s Degree in Criminal Justice Howard University, Washington DC – BA in Political Science, Caribbean Relations Highlights:

− Certified Conflict Mediator and Professor (Professional Mediation College)

− Recipient of the Cruz Collegial Award for exceptional academic achievement

− Former member of the American Association of Professional Women OTHER INFORMATION

Previous Experiences:

− English and Spanish Teacher, Language Innovations

− Social Sciences Professor, Columbia College

Technology: Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and Microjuris Database Languages: Bilingual (Spanish and English)

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