Keith Sheppard Email and Phone Number

Supervise the daily operations of the Investment Management paralegal team, which includes recruitment, workload management, attendance, training, and development. Collaborate with attorneys and Human Resources to conduct performance reviews for all paralegals. Present salary recommendations to Management and provide feedback to the paralegals. Work closely with partners and supervising attorneys to determine staffing requirements. Monitor workloads and professional growth of paralegals to ensure fair distribution of tasks and coverage based on client needs. Identify training needs for paralegal development to establish a comprehensive cross-training process. Create an orientation program and onboarding procedures for new hires. Offer guidance and mentorship to paralegals. Handle payroll timekeeping, approve timesheets and PTO requests, and review time entries for billable hours. Maintain SharePoint databases and status trackers related to Compliance Confidentiality Agreements, Project Status trackers, Split Billing Allocations, Engagement Letters, Transfer Agreements, Fund Launch/Sub Doc review, and Compliance/Marketing. Serve as a liaison between the paralegal team and senior management within the firm.

Lead high-performing team of 20 to boost organizational revenues, strategizing and driving pitch production process and preparing key sections to produce specifically tailored proposals and presentations. Oversee negotiations for RFPs and Service Level Agreements, as well as leverage Salesforce to track and monitor sales activities. Cultivate positive client relationships, connecting with customers to facilitate meetings, provide action plans and project status updates, and ensure outstanding client experience.Key Achievements:● Launched company’s marketing division, developing and implementing sustainable processes, building a team, and defining marketing and business development objectives and goals.● Increased sales revenue by 78% YOY from 2020 to 2022, creating and maintaining digital content for UCS website and building social media marketing campaigns across YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.● Designed and integrated Chat widget to improve website engagement, resulting in 30% sales increase in 2022. ● Revamped company website to improve user experience, directly leading to 45% increase in 2021 sales revenue.● Direct training program and drive program management, building and presenting training seminars to boost staff knowledge of core services offered.● Coach and mentor Business Development Assistant and live chat team, providing staff development opportunities to drive performance improvements and associate growth into sales roles.● Drive budget management for marketing budget of $150K, tracking expenses, delivering accurate sales projections, and completing P&L forecasting.

Managed the operations of a team consisting of 15 Customer Service Representatives (CSRs), 12 Client Service Assistants (CSAs) administrative staff. Implemented efficient workflows, assigned tasks, and prioritized work activities. Fostered collaboration across departments to oversee office management, administrative tasks, and accounting functions. This included securing office premises, overseeing financial management, and providing support for accounts receivable and accounts payable. Maintained regular communication with clients to establish pricing and ensure a positive revenue stream. Compiled and analyzed financial data to prepare comprehensive reports for senior leadership.Key Achievements:• Established a new branch office in NYC, which involved creating a comprehensive business plan, assisting with financial planning, selecting a suitable office location, overseeing vendor management, and assembling a new team. Collaborated with both internal and external stakeholders to ensure the initiative was completed within the designated one-year timeline.• Took charge of preparing and overseeing the annual office budget, implementing financial controls to ensure sustainable operations and optimizing cost-effectiveness.• Developed metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs) for the CSR and CSA teams, establishing guidelines to manage expectations and drive achievable growth among staff. • Conducted performance reviews and set individual goals for staff members, utilizing performance data to recommend annual raises and salaries for exempt and non-exempt employees.• Piloted a new recruiting program, which included implementing an on-campus recruiting initiative and creating policies and procedures for hiring, onboarding, and ongoing training activities.• Created an internal Knowledge Base, which consisted of process documents, best-practice guidelines, and state forms and fee information.

At Proskauer Rose, I directed paralegal services for a thriving firm, leading an effective team to produce outstanding results supporting a large legal team. I tracked and reviewed billable and non-billable hours, as well as assisted with SEC document filing including Section 16 and 8K's, and 10K’s. I also liaised across the organization to collect and discuss feedback, resolve issues, and confirm exceptional internal and external client satisfaction. Key Achievements:► I scaled my team to meet organizational growth, leading recruiting, hiring, onboarding, and training activities for new paralegal staff.► Completed mid-year and annual performance reviews for staff, providing positive coaching, addressing performance related issues, and delivering informative feedback.► I streamlined processes and integrated business process improvements to advance efficiency and productivity. ► Designed an audit letter process and tracking database, monitoring attorney responses to initial requests, managing records, and drafting audit letters based on data collected, resulting in accurate and comprehensive data collection and timely audit letters.

As a Paralegal in the Finance Group, I prepared transaction documents for Uniform Commercial Code/Lien filings to include in large scale transactions. I directed, analyzed, and managed Uniform Commercial Code/Lien search results, in addition to performing due diligence searches in preparation of upcoming of transactions. A few of my additional duties and key achievements include:► Drafted certificates of incorporation and formation, qualifications, mergers, dissolutions, bylaws, resolutions, and stock certificates.► I assembled closing sets for various types of banking and finance transactions.► Supported corporate secretarial operations including corporate document management and maintaining minute books, preparing company filings, and corresponding with states regarding company status and transactions.

• Prepared transaction documents for Uniform Commercial Code/Lien filings to include in large scale transactions.• Directed, analyzed, and managed Uniform Commercial Code/Lien search results.• Performed due diligence searches in preparation of upcoming of transactions.• Drafted certificates of incorporation and formation, qualifications, mergers, dissolutions, bylaws, resolutions, stock certificates.• Assembled closing sets for various types of banking and finance transactions.• Performed corporate secretarial matters such as maintaining corporate documents and minute books, preparing company filings, and corresponding with states regarding company status and transactions.

At Deutsche Bank , I reviewed various loan files such as Syndicated, Commercial Paper, Letters of Credit, Asset-Backed and Mortgage-Backed Securities, confirming borrowers adhered to “Conditions Precedent” of relevant agreement. Some of my additional duties and key achievements include:► I indexed and safeguarded collateral held by the bank, and prepared Uniform Commercial Code/Lien filings and searches.► I successfully redesigned and implemented a database for tracking Uniform Commercial Code/Liens, boosting efficiency and productivity.Additional experience at CT Corporation System in New York, NY as a Team Leader-International Operations and Paralegal-Customer Specialist-Domestic.