1. DARECIA A. ARIF
1536 S. MANNHEIM, UNIT 2N
WESTCHESTER, ILLINOIS 60154
312-560-8140
darecia1965@gmail.com
dareciaj@yahoo.com
EDUCATION:
ROOSEVELT UNIVERSITY, Chicago, Illinois
Lawyer’s Assistant Program,
ABA-Approved Paralegal Certificate, 1996
NORTHEASTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY, Chicago, Illinois
Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice & Social Work, 1988
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION, Hoffman Estates, IL
Senior Paralegal, June 2014 to Present
• Provide support to Attorneys, Managers, and Supervisor with various projects.
• Negotiate and draft sophisticated lease agreements, lease amendments, letters of intent, REA
amendments, escrow agreements, easements, consent letters and other relevant real estate legal
documents.
• Assisted with Closings, reviewed real estate contracts, and prepared closing documents.
• Reviewed survey, cleared title, reviewed and analyzed contracts, leases, and other legal documents
relating to the transaction and REIT transactions.
• Review, analyze, and effectively summarize lease provisions, REA documents and other real estate
agreements.
• Work closely with business clients throughout stages of transaction.
• Identify and assess risk to the company, recommend course of action and develop solutions.
• Interface with business units and cross-functional teams within Sears.
• Supervise and interface with outside law firms and business units within Sears.
SAC WIRELESS, Schaumburg, IL, (CONTRACT POSITION)
Site Acquisition Specialist Contractor (Leasing), June 2012 to October 2013
• Provide support to Managers, Supervisor, and Senior Project Specialists with various duties including
assist with lease review, negotiation, drafting, and amendments; collocation applications; re-
approvals; and notices to proceed (NTPs).
• Review and analyze Contracts, Leases, Title Reports, Surveys/Site Plans/drawings, and Deeds
for leasing requirements to upgrade LTE and SPEC-OPS equipment for over 80 sites, Rooftops,
Towers, and Utility-Transmission Towers.
• Interact with Landlords, attorneys, and clients. Prepare lease objectives; present terms; examine
proposals; explore options; conclude agreements; negotiate with other telecommunication carrier
regarding lease agreements and collocation antenna sites.
• Obtain permits by researching requirements; gathering information; completing zoning and land use
applications; obtaining and providing information to municipalities and agencies; verifying land
entitlements; preparing information packets; and providing guidelines to zoning officials for land use
ordinance revisions.
MCDONALDS, Oakbrook IL, (CONTRACT POSITION)
Real Estate Legal Assistant (Leasing Paralegal), April 2012 to May 2012

2. • Reviewed existing files, surveys, site plans and recorded documents for anything which would hinder,
prohibit, or interfere with the remodeling or rebuilding of the existing store based upon proposed
plans.
• Drafted agreements, amendments, and basic commercial real estate documents and correspondence.
• Interacted with client and third parties by telephone, e-mail, and correspondence.
CHASE BANK, Chicago, IL, (CONTRACT POSITION)
Paralegal Research Specialist II, January 2012 to April 2012
• Analyzed investment documents.
• Created document packages for signature.
• Communicated with Clients and negotiated contracts.
ARNSTEIN & LEHR, LLP, Chicago, IL, (CONTRACT POSITION)
Real Estate Paralegal, February 2011 to May 2011
• Assisted with Closings, reviewed real estate contracts, and prepared closing documents.
• Reviewed survey, cleared title, reviewed and analyzed contracts, leases, and other legal documents
relating to the transaction.
• Prepared various documents relating to real estate transactions which included deeds, bills of sale,
Affidavits of Title, closing statements, and Escrow Instructions.
• Recorded deeds in various counties and states.
• Prepared transfer tax forms, zoning requests, correspondence, and tax forms.
LAW OFFICE OF CHRISTOPHER A. WEINUM & RICHARDSON & MACKOFF, Chicago, IL
Part Time Real Estate and Litigation Paralegal, July 2009 to February 2011
• Assisted with Closings, reviewed contracts, and prepared closing documents.
• Drafted and edited Notice of Motions and Motions.
• Prepared Complaints, Summons, Wage Deduction Affidavits, Subpoenas, and Verification Letters.
• Filed Complaints, Summons, and Affidavits in all Illinois counties for Small Claims, Chancery
Division, Law Division, and Federal Courts.
• Requested medical records and other documents pertinent to each case.
• Assisted in trial preparation by organizing exhibits, files, and other supporting documents.
• Interacted with clients and attorneys, and assisted with collections.
PORTER LAW NETWORK, Chicago, IL
Part Time Litigation/Bankruptcy Paralegal, January 2010 to October 2010
• Prepared correspondence, Summons, Automatic Stays, and various Bankruptcy documents.
• Prepared and filed Complaints, Summons, Subpoenas, Wage Deduction Affidavits, Warranty Deeds,
Notice of Motions, and Motions in various Municipalities and Federal Courts.
• Communicated and interacted with clients and opposing attorneys, and assisted with collection
matters.
MCDERMOTT WILL & EMERY LLP, Chicago, IL
Real Estate Paralegal, July 2007 to February 2009
• Prepared for, assisted with, and attended real estate closings.
• Prepared real estate contracts, amendments, assignments, and addendums.
• Reviewed due diligence projects.
• Reviewed contracts and leases, prepared closing documents, escrow agreements, loan documents, and
checklists for residential and commercial real estate transactions.
• Reviewed and abstracted title, title documents, and surveys; resolved title and survey issues; and
cleared title.

3. • Assisted with estate planning matters; prepared trust agreements; prepared and recorded deeds;
transferred properties into new trust nationwide, and opened new trust at various banks.
• Ordered and summarized UCC searches and filings, and recorded releases in various counties and
states.
• Maintained corporate minute books and prepared documentation for corporate annual reports.
• Ordered utility letters and prepared notice letters.
• Coordinated execution of closing documents between parties; attended closing transactions; and
worked directly with Clients, Lenders, Title Companies, and Attorneys.
• Ordered and reviewed property tax history and tax redemptions; prepared tax exemptions and various
tax forms.
• Prepared transfer tax forms, zoning requests, correspondence, and tax forms.
NEAL GERBER & EISENBERG, Chicago, IL
Real Estate Paralegal, 1996-2007
• Managed and Supervised University Village Project.
• Completed over eight hundred (800) closings for South Campus Development Team
(UNIVERSITY VILLAGE).
• Completed over twenty five closings (25) for Revere Community Housing Development
(COMER), low income housing.
• Coordinated execution of closing documents between parties; attended closing transactions; worked
directly with Clients, Lenders, Title Companies, and Attorneys.
• Reviewed contracts, prepared closing documents, loan documents, and closing checklists for
residential and commercial real estate transactions.
• Negotiated with buyers and clients to resolve disputes.
• Informed attorneys of new contracts, closing schedules, and other ongoing matters.
• Prepared contracts, amendments, assignments and addendums; prepared transfer tax forms, zoning
requests, and correspondence.
• Obtained Residential License, Business License, Developer License, and Renewals for various
projects.
• Researched and summarized statutes pertaining to business licenses and operations.
• Reviewed and abstracted title, title documents, and surveys; resolved title and survey issues; and
reviewed due diligence projects.
• Ordered and summarized UCC searches and filings and recorded releases.
• Maintained corporate minute books, prepared documentation for corporate annual reports, and
prepared minutes and by-laws.
• Organized and assisted in turn over meetings to Unit Owners.
• Ordered utility letters and prepared notice letters.
• Assisted in trial preparation by organizing exhibits, files, and other supporting documents.
VOLUNTEER:
COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATE (“CASA”)
Advocate for Abused and Neglected Children, 2007 to 2010
• Prepared Case Reports.
• Visited and interacted with Foster Parents and Foster Children.
• Interacted with GAL, States Attorney, and Social Workers.
• Attended Court and presented status report to Judge on the children placed in foster homes.
SKILLS:
• Notary Public, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Word, Work Share Compare Write, Word Perfect, Lotus
Notes, ACT, Excel, Lease-net, Clear-vision, Sprint Siterra, T-360, Livelink, CTAdvantage.