Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Languages
Interests
Timeline
Generic

Gwen Haynes

Calgary

Summary

Detail-oriented commercial real estate paralegal with expertise in legal document preparation and due diligence. Proven ability to manage complex transactions and streamline processes, ensuring compliance and timely closings. I have 40 years of extensive experience in my profession. I have only ever worked for one lawyer my entire career - proving my extreme loyalty and commitment and ability to do the job assigned to me to the utmost of my abilities.

Overview

40
40
years of professional experience

Work History

Commercial Real Estate Paralegal

Walsh LLP
Calgary, AB
10.2023 - Current
  • Conducted due diligence for commercial real estate transactions, ensuring compliance with legal requirements.
  • Prepared and reviewed legal documents, including commitment letters, for accuracy and completeness.
  • Organized and maintained case files, ensuring accessibility of documents for ongoing projects.
  • Researched property titles and zoning regulations to support client inquiries.
  • Developed standardized templates for routine documents to improve efficiency in document preparation processes.
  • Trained junior paralegals on best practices in real estate documentation and compliance standards.
  • Organized client files efficiently for easy access to historical data during future transactions or audits.
  • Conducted thorough due diligence for property acquisitions, ensuring risk minimization and compliance with regulations.
  • Managed complex commercial real estate transactions, resulting in timely closings and satisfied clients.
  • Collaborated with brokers, lenders, and title companies to facilitate smooth transactions and ensure accuracy of all documentation.
  • Reduced errors in legal documents by meticulously proofreading and editing drafts before submission to clients or other parties.
  • Coordinated the execution of closing documents, ensuring all parties were informed about key deadlines and requirements.
  • Assisted lawyers in drafting and reviewing legal documents, contributing to seamless negotiations and transaction processes.
  • Facilitated smooth completions of commercial real estate deals by coordinating document preparation among multiple parties involved in the transactions.
  • Handled the preparation of closing books for Lenders and Borrowers ensuring trust conditions adhered to
  • Handled the flow of monies between the Lender and the Borrower's counsel and prepared the trust letters involving those monies
  • Performed meticulous title reviews to identify potential issues early in the transaction process, avoiding costly delays or complications later on.
  • Communicated pertinent information to clients via phone, email, and mail.
  • Managed transaction timelines and coordinated communications among clients, lawyers, and stakeholders.
  • Worked mainly for large financial institutions on the lender side of deals - occasionally acted for both the lender and the Borrower

Commercial Real Estate Paralegal

Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
Calgary, AB
03.2005 - 08.2022

Please see duties of job above as they are identical to here.

Reason for leaving - the lawyer I worked for retired.

Commercial Real Estate Paralegal

Miller Thomson LLP
Calgary, AB
01.1995 - 03.2005

Same duties as listed for Walsh LLP.

Reason for leaving: the lawyer I worked for switched firms and I went with him

Commercial Real Estate Paralegal

Brownlee LLP
Edmonton And Calgary, AB
09.1986 - 01.1995

Same duties as listed for Walsh LLP

Reason for leaving: the lawyer I worked for moved firms and I went with him.

Education

High School Diploma -

Paul Kane High School
St. Albert, AB
06-1986

Skills

  • Legal document preparation
  • Title examination proficiency
  • Commercial transactions
  • Real property financing
  • Foreclosure process expertise
  • Real estate closings management
  • Due diligence coordination
  • Proofreading
  • Documenting and legal writing
  • Title policies understanding
  • Customer service
  • Problem-solving
  • Time management
  • Reliability
  • Excellent communication
  • Organizational skills
  • Adaptability and flexibility
  • Verbal and written communication
  • Flexible schedule
  • Proficient in MS office, Excel, Microsoft Teams, Outlook, Adobe Acrobat, Prolaw, Acumin, World Docs
  • Task prioritization
  • Self motivation
  • Good judgment and decision making
  • Professionalism
  • Client confidentiality
  • Workload management
  • Effective multitasking
  • Teamwork and collaboration

Languages

English

Interests

  • Enjoy participating in running for overall physical and mental well-being
  • I am heavily involved in dog training and competing in dog sports with my dogs Have been doing this for over 25 years Highly accomplished and respected by my peers in the dog obedience community My dogs are the top in the country for my sport and have been acknowledged and rewarded for their excellence I teach seminars and classes in dog obedience and often times I am consulted by the City when they take in my breed at their shelters

Timeline

Commercial Real Estate Paralegal

Walsh LLP
10.2023 - Current

Commercial Real Estate Paralegal

Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
03.2005 - 08.2022

Commercial Real Estate Paralegal

Miller Thomson LLP
01.1995 - 03.2005

Commercial Real Estate Paralegal

Brownlee LLP
09.1986 - 01.1995

High School Diploma -

Paul Kane High School
Gwen Haynes