Heather M. Brennan

6300 Barrett Street

Downers Grove, IL  60516

Home (630) 442-2783

heather.m.brennan.530@gmail.com

 

 

Objective:  To provide outstanding support by using strong interpersonal, analytical and technical skills to achieve the goals of the company and my career.

 

Strengths: Proactive, self-motivated and self-directed professional with excellent organizational, interpersonal and communication skills. 

 

Experience:

 

 

4/2008-12/2013Walgreen Co.

Senior Legal Assistant – Real Estate Law

 

Responsibilities Include:  Review of title/survey together with preparation of comments for same; review of leases; rent clearance (review file to confirm all documents required have been received in order to authorize rent disbursement); review Contracts; prepare/review closing documents; facilitate closing of real estate transactions.             

 

7/2006-3/2008Shaw Gussis Fishman Glantz Wolfson & Tobin, LLC

Real Estate Paralegal

 

Responsibilities Included:  Review of title/survey together with preparation of comments for same; review of leases; preparation of lease abstracts; order title; request zoning searches; prepare UCC-1 requests; prepare closing binders; draft loan and other closing documents in connection with commercial real estate transactions.

 

10/2004-3/2006Inland Real Estate Group, Inc.

Leasing/Contract Paralegal

 

Responsibilities Included:  Preparation of closing documents for TIC deals (1031 Exchange Program); review of title/survey; review of lease documents; prepare lease abstracts; coordinate closing with outside counsel, title company, and investors; responsible for conflict resolution with outside parties; responsible for reviewing/updating exclusives for assigned properties (over 150 properties); draft correspondence; respond to inquiries made by investors, outside counsel, and Reps; trained incoming staff.                                                       

 

9/1994 – 1/2003McDonald’s Corporation, Oak Brook, Illinois

Promoted 1999U.S. Legal Department – Commercial Real Estate

Paralegal

 

Responsibilities included: facilitated the closing of real estate transactions including preparation of all conveyance/leasing documentation (NDAs, lease review, lease abstracts, Easements, Amendments, Estoppel Certificates, Deeds, etc.) and title review (including underlying recorded documentation) and approval; monitored and finalized acquisitions and disposition of lease transactions for the Ohio, Michigan and Indiana regional offices, to include, drafting necessary documentation; review of surveys and site plans; coordinating deal workloads with regional coordinators; field and facilitated requests from landlords, owner/operators, and regional and home office personnel; mentored/trained paralegals and administrative support personnel; and prepared and conducted training sessions for paralegals and administrative support.

 

1994 to 1999Legal Administrative Assistant: 

 

Responsibilities included:  Preparation of incoming real estate files; scheduling of meetings; conducted training sessions for regional coordinators and other administrative support; responded to routine inquiries; typed, proofed and distributed correspondence and legal documents; maintained appointment and meeting calendars; made travel arrangements for principals.

 

Accomplishments: 

§                     Planned, coordinated and hosted first annual global paralegal conference

 

 

Education

§    Certificate – Paralegal Studies – MacCormac Jr. College, Elmhurst, Illinois (1994);

§    Associates in Applied Science – Criminal Justice – College of DuPage, Glen Ellyn, Illinois (1996);

§                                                                        Bachelor of Science – Behavioral Science – National-Louis University, Wheaton, Illinois (1998)

 

SkillsWindows XP; WordPerfect9; Excel; Access; Lotus Notes; Lotus Organizer; GroupWise; Typing 70+ wpm; Excellent Organizational and Time Management Skills; Outlook

 

Association

AffiliationIllinois Paralegal Association; National Federation of Paralegals; Associations; Notary Public/State of Illinois

 

 

TEMPORARY ASSIGNMENTS:

 

10/2003 – 2/2004Zurich North America (temporary assignment)

Legal Auditor

 

Responsibilities Include:  Analyze litigation legal bills for the Specialty Claims Department, ensuring consistency and guidelines being met with over 500 firms representing Zurich Insurance.

 

8/2003 – 10/2003Arlington Hospitality, Inc. (temporary assignment)

Real Estate/Corporate Paralegal

 

Responsibilities include:  facilitate the closing of real estate transactions for the development of hotels; preparation of all conveyance documents; track licensing agreements/annual reports, and have renewed accordingly; review title/survey; draft correspondence; primary contact for counsel, title company, regional staff.