Leah Speckhard

Background

About Leah Speckhard

Senior Paralegal in the Legal Transactions Department at W. P. Carey Inc, which is currently one of the largest diversified net lease REITs that provides long-term sale-leaseback and build-to-suit capital solutions for companies across North America and Europe. Experienced at drafting closing documents and organizational documents for large acquisitions, sales, and loans, and comfortable working with multiple attorneys, high-pressure deadlines, and a need for accuracy. Often liaise with other departments, including asset management and investments, and correspond with external parties to help ensure smooth closings. Manage upkeep of the primary internal database of closing documents, and have experience compiling data rooms for mergers and transactions. Enjoy learning, problem-solving, and managing challenging, time-sensitive work. Also have experience working in Investor Relations at a large NYSE-listed Greek shipping company, Diana Shipping Inc, and prepared roadshow presentations for investors, drafted speeches for executives, interacted with investors, and worked in tandem with a colleague on organizing the annual general meeting of the board. Reviewed analyst reports daily on macroeconomics, the shipping industry, emerging economies, and political factors, and drafted reports containing major updates and potential impact for the CEO and other C-suite executives. Lived overseas for a decade in Belarus, Belgium, and Greece, have a degree in International Affairs and Political Science, worked at the U.S. Embassy in Belgium in the summer during university, and completed an internship for Dow Jones, primarily covering daily developments at the European Commission. Have had security clearances in the past with the U.S. government, and am comfortable managing sensitive materials and interacting with high level dignitaries, executives, and celebrities.