brenda blask-lewis - resume

Brenda I. Blask-Lewis763 Eatonville Road, Herkimer, NY 13350· 315- 867-3236 ·[email protected]

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Experienced and Professional Paralegal/Abstractor/Title Examiner

Seasoned, dependable, results-driven, detail-oriented, law-school trained, goes the ‘extra mile’ Record of delivering top-notch results independently and cooperatively with a team Personable, professional, and committed to excellence

Professional Experience, Skills and AbilitiesAbstractor / Title Examiner

B.Blask-Lewis, LLC for T.S. Dudley Land Company, Inc. June 2011 – December 31, 2015

Self-Employed Independent Contractor for Mason Dixon, LLC November 2005 – June 2011

Field Abstractor/Paralegal for Consumer Marketing Services, Inc. May 2004 – December 2005

Owner/Independent Contractor/Abstractor – Covered counties of Susquehanna, Tioga, Wayne, Bradford, and Potter in Pennsylania. Covered counties of Yates, Schuyler, Chemung, Chenango, Jefferson, Cortland, Onondaga, Fulton, Montgomery, Oneida, Otsego, Oswego, Hamilton, and Lewis in New York.

Examined title orders within the client’s established guidelines to determine the conditions of the title by considering the effect of such documents as deeds, mortgages, leases, easements, rights of way, mechanic liens, tax liens, judgments, assessments, probates, civil actions, condemnation proceedings, and other matters of record.

Successfully organized, prioritized and managed multiple complex title projects.

Researched, analyzed, and evaluated court house records and online databases, including, but not limited to LandEx, Courthouseonline and PACER to verify ownership, legal descriptions, and any conjunction to title.

Performed title searches, verified, reviewed, and compiled information including, but not limited to, geographic information, property surveys, and legal descriptions, title orders, customer information, ownership histories, and physical address, which involved the return of a set of documents illustrating the history of the subject property.

Plotted metes and bounds descriptions and located plotted parcels on the plat and warrant maps as well as on drill site maps.

Updated title and judgment searches and ensured the timely processing of associated documents.

Recognized title defects, performed due diligence to address the deficiencies, and brought the potential issues to the attention of the crew chief and the attorney.

Prepared Tract Indexes, flow charts, ownership reports, and marked up plat maps for presentation to the attorney for review and use in the preparation of a title opinion.

Communicated effectively with attorneys, project managers, crew chiefs, land technicians, support staff, independent contractors, clients, court house personnel, said communication being both verbal and written.

Shows excellent follow through in the completion of assigned projects including those taking over 12 months to complete, and shows the ability to pay strict attention to detail, to work independently and as part of a team.

Recruited, trained and supervised abstractors, assigned and scheduled work, and provided technical guidance.

Assisted attorneys in the review of other abstractors’ work products, and assisted in drafting title opinions.

Required to work under strict deadlines and kept office staff, crew chief/project manager, and attorneys

mailto:867-3236%C2%[email protected]


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apprised of the status of the assigned projects.

Paralegal Experience June 1983 – May 2004

Solomon & Solomon, P.C., Albany, New York

Thomas S. Soja, Esq,, in-house counsel for Faxton-St. Luke’s Healthcare, Utica, New York

Zogy & Jonas, Utica, New York

Kowalczyk, Tolles, Deery & Johnston, Utica, New York

Philip D. O’Donnell, Esq., Herkimer, New York

Drafted, proofread, and submitted various affidavits, acknowledgements, correspondence, and memoranda.

Drafted real estate documents such as deeds, mortgages, HUD Settlement Statements, Statements of Sale, Land Contracts, Purchase and Sale Agreements. Recorded documents with the county clerk.

Drafted, proofread, and submitted pleadings, motions, interrogatories, legal briefs, proposed judgments, decrees, Last Wills and Testament, contracts, employment agreements, title opinions, bond and real estate closing documents; subpoenas, citations, and surrogate court forms in connection with the probate or administration of estates.

Collected, organized and maintained trial records, including transcripts, exhibits, and motions.

Met with clients and other professionals to discuss details of various types of cases.

Filed pleadings with the clerk of the court and recorded documents with the county clerk in New York State and the Recorder of Deeds in Pennsylvania.

Gathered and analyzed research data, such as statutes, decisions, legal articles and codes.

Familiar with HIPAA rules and regulations, performed legal research in the law library and using Lexis/Nexus and Westlaw, pertinent to health care law.

Investigated facts and law of cases and searched pertinent sources, such as public records, to determine causes of action and jurisdiction.

Directed and coordinated law office activity, including keeping the attorney’s court calendar, scheduling appointments, tracking and monitoring return dates, billing clients, accepting and recording payments received from clients.

Kept and monitored legal volumes to ensure the law library is up to date.

Worked closely with and assisted attorneys and other support staff.

Experienced researching and analyzing the Civil Practice Law and Rules of New York State and the State of Massachusetts.

Skills



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Proficient in the use of Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat, Powerpoint, Excel, Dropbox, Windows Vista, 7, and 10. Extensive experience researching information on the internet.

Education, Professional Development and License

Member in Good Standing : AAPL, NALA and MLBC-AAPLNotary Public and Real Estate Agent License: State of New York Albany Law School, Albany NY Relevant Coursework: Real Property I & II, Contracts, Civil ProcedureUtica College, Utica, NYBachelor of Arts: Political Science/Social Sciences: Minor, Pre-Law

*References and writing samples available upon request.


brenda blask-lewis - resume

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