James Elder
-| - | Cleveland Heights, OH | www.linkedin.com/in/jameselder1
SUMMARY
Seeking Contract Paralegal role with 18 years of legal and contract management experience. Proven expertise in drafting
and revising legal documents, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, and managing corporate files. Strong
background in intellectual property, legal research, and complex document analysis, with successful tenures at Robert
Half, Litigation Management, and The Lubrizol Corporation.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Robert Half/Master Builders Solutions
Beachwood, OH
Senior Contract Paralegal
Aug 2024 - May 2025
• Drafted and revised a range of legal documents, including contracts, agreements, and corporate bylaws, to support
corporate transactions and board meetings.
• Ensured compliance with regulatory and legal requirements by tracking filing deadlines and managing accurate
document submission.
• Organized and maintained corporate records, both electronic and paper, in accordance with document retention
policies, facilitating easy access to critical information.
Cellular Technology Limited — CTL
Contract Specialist
Nov 2020 - Feb 2024
• Prepared, revised, executed, and managed a wide range of contracts and agreements, ensuring compliance with
company and regulatory guidelines.
• Coordinated and maintained all contractual documents for the CRO Laboratory, including management of
associated electronic databases.
• Monitored CRO Laboratory schedules to ensure strict adherence to contractual obligations.
• Assisted the Chief Scientific Officer with various ad-hoc projects, contributing to strategic initiatives.
Litigation Management
Mayfield Heights, OH
Contract Paralegal
2019 - 2020
• Analyzed complex legal documents, including emails, contracts, spreadsheets, and medical records, to identify
relevant issues and applied appropriate coding.
• Evaluated document responsiveness to case issues, ensuring alignment with legal requirements and client needs.
• Conducted quality control on peer reviews to maintain high standards in document review processes.
Signet Corporation
Fairlawn, OH
Lease Negotiator
2018 - 2019
• Conducted lease negotiations and developed documentation for transactions with local, regional, and national
property owners, optimizing terms for store closures and revised leases due to decreased mall traffic.
• Collaborated with department supervisors to align legal and policy responses, ensuring protection and successful
transaction closures.
• Prepared amendments, assignments, and lease terminations as requested, maintaining current status on all open
matters with support staff to enhance processing efficiency.
The Lubrizol Corporation
Wickliffe, OH
Environmental Health and Safety Compliance Specialist
2008 - 2017
• Conducted thorough analysis of environmental documents, laws, and EPA records to determine appropriate
corrective or recommended actions.
• Reviewed and interpreted new environmental regulations, providing compliance memorandums with actionable
recommendations for implementation.
• Trained Environmental Health and Safety personnel on compliance issues specific to plant and manufacturing
standards.
• Developed rules and procedures for the distribution of biocidal products, ensuring adherence to US and EU
regulations.
Intellectual Property/Contracts Paralegal
2006 - 2008
• Conducted a thorough audit of intellectual property and trademarks, reviewing applications and issued trademarks
for completeness, and generated detailed reports on trademark statuses and filing requirements.
• Drafted and amended intricate sales and distribution contracts, while ensuring database information's accuracy and
compliance with priority claims.
EDUCATION
Cleveland State University
Coursework, Master's Program, Environmental Science
Cuyahoga Community College
AAS, Environmental Health and Safety Management
University of Washington
Certificate, Paralegal Studies
Seattle, WA
Langston University
BA, Business Administration
Langston, OK
CERTIFICATIONS
OSHA 40 Hour Hazwoper Certification
CFATS (Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards) Certification
OSHA 30 Hour General Certification
Clean Water Act (CWA), Clean Air Act (CAA), SARA Title 3 Reporting, TSCA,
EPCRA, RCRA, and FIFRA
SKILLS
Trademark Audit • Environmental Health and Safety • Intellectual Property Expertise • Trend Analysis • Training •
Legal Research • Corrective Action • Investigations and Inspections
