ARMESHA L. BELL·2626A S. KING DRIVE #Box 3·CHICAGO, IL  60616

Cell: (312) 513-4525·email: armeshabell@sbcglobal.net

 

 

SUMMARY

 

To obtain a position that will provide challenging opportunities for continued growth and advancement in a legal and corporate environment.

 

 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

 

ST RESIDENTIAL, LLC, Chicago, IL                                                                                                        2010-Present

Senior Paralegal-Legal Department

 

ã          Performs independently a variety of complex legal tasks related to the corporate governance of the REO subsidiaries.

ã          Assists in the formation of business entities, including checking and reserving entity names, preparing corporate documents and registering entities in various States to transact business.

ã          Drafts resolutions, agendas and minutes for corporate board meetings.

ã          Organizes, summarizes, files and retrieves documentation as required for real estate transactions.

ã          Uses form documents to prepare first drafts of contracts, leases, amendments, and closing documents.

ã          Assists with abstracting, drafting and coordinating of contracts and leases.

ã          Prepares and files UCC financing statements, amendments and terminations.

ã          Assists with document organization, distribution, execution and notarization at closings of real estate transactions.

ã          Manages property related information, environmental reports, contracts, surveys, title and related documents.

ã          Reviews, analyzes and summarizes title commitments, exception documents and surveys.

ã          Works closely with title examiners to clear exceptions and obtain title insurance coverage.

ã          Researches real property tax, zoning, liens and ownership information in public databases.

ã          Maintains complete and accurate files for all matters including files contained in electronic database.

ã          Manages and reviews all closing checklists, closing books and CDs containing all real estate closing documents.

ã          Ensures company legal files are maintained in compliance with company standards and policies.

ã          Liaison to internal and external counsel for a multitude of special projects.

 

 

CORUS BANK, N.A., Chicago, IL (now part of ST Residential, LLC)                                                                     2001-2010

Legal Officer/Commercial Loans-Legal Department

 

ã          Assisted in the formation of business entities, including checking and reserving entity names, preparing corporate documents and registering entities in various States to transact business.

ã          Drafted resolutions, agendas and minutes for corporate board meetings.

ã          Assisted in the initial preparation of ancillary transaction documents for review by attorneys which includes deeds, notes, mortgages, escrow instructions, loan agreements, security agreements, non-disturbance agreements, modifications, and release deeds.

ã          Drafted, reviewed and organized form agreements, including confidentiality agreements, independent contractor agreements, retail leases, and consulting agreements.

ã          Managed document assembly, coordinated due diligence, monitored critical dates, closing checklists and closing binders.

ã          Managed property related information, environmental reports, contracts, surveys, title and related documents.

ã          Reviewed, analyzed and summarized title commitments, exception documents and surveys.

ã          Worked closely with title examiners to clear exceptions and obtain title insurance coverage.

ã          Researched real property tax, zoning, liens and ownership information in public databases.

ã          Maintained complete and accurate files for all matters including files contained in electronic database.

ã          Ensured company legal files are maintained in compliance with company standards and policies.

ã          Liaison to internal and external counsel for a multitude of special projects.

Qualifications of Armesha L. Bell

Page Two

 

 

CHICAGO TITLE INSURANCE COMPANY, Chicago, IL                                                                                   1998-2001

Real Estate Paralegal/Commercial Division

 

Commercial

ã          Performed New York Style Closings for Million Dollar Sales transactions.

3Shopping Center at 3100 Dundee Road (Northbrook)

3Property located at 13^th & Michigan Avenue

3Three-Story Building located at 15 E. Oak Street

ã          Evaluated and underwrote title issues and title clearance for new orders, later dates and closings; and requests for various endorsements such as: Zoning 3.0 and 3.1, Extended Coverage, Variable Interest Rate, Restrictions, Location, Encroachments, and Special Endorsements.

 

Residential

ã               Knowledge in the examination of all stages of Foreclosures, Unprobated Estates, Probated Estates (supervised and independent administration), all stages of Tax Deed proceedings, Co-Ops, Condominiums, Bankruptcy cases, Mechanics Lien Foreclosures and Contract Purchasers exams.

ã               Reviewed title applications, various searches, recorded documents, surveys, easements, and judgment searches.

 

Corporate

ã          Knowledge of reviewing corporate documents such as; Articles of Incorporation, Resolutions, By-Laws, Certificates of Good Standing, Partnership Agreements, and Trust Agreements.

ã          Knowledge of reviewing and filing UCC ‘s - State and County; experience with Mergers and Acqusitions.

 

SIDLEY AUSTIN, LLP LAW FIRM, Chicago, IL                                                                                                  1994-1998

Project Assistant/Litigation

 

ã          Drafted and organized files which included correspondence, pleadings, legal memoranda and research, discovery, subject matter files, witness files, depositions, and trial preparation.

ã              Assigned specifically to assist Partner in Product Liability Group with special projects for General Electric Asbestos cases and IMC Global Fertilizer cases, including large document productions.

ã              Pinpointed cite checks and shepardizing of various legal documents and abstracting of depositions and hearing abstracts.

 

EDUCATION

 

ILLINOIS STATE UNIVERSITY (ISU) - Normal, IL.                                                                                    1989-1993

Bachelor of Science Degree

Major: Political Science

 

ORGANIZATIONS

 

· Studied Abroad (Sophia University - Tokyo, Japan)

· Illinois State University Alumni Association

· State of Illinois Certified Notary Public

· Near South Youth Association Cheerleading Coach

 

TECHNICAL SKILLS

 

Microsoft Office Word, Excel, Outlook, Access, PowerPoint, Westlaw, Lexis/Nexis, Lexis/Nexis Courtlink, ShareFile, Concordance, Timeslips, Concur Solutions, AvidXchange, CT Advantage