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Maria Alejandra Castellanos

@mariaalejandracastel

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I manage commercial contracts, compliance workflows, and high-volume legal operations.

Colombia

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What I'm looking for

I'm looking to contribute commercial legal counsel, contract management, compliance, and legal operations experience in a role where I can improve workflows, manage high-volume matters, and support sound business decisions.

I lead Legal Analysis and Compliance operations in Los Angeles, overseeing workflows, deadlines, contract lifecycles, and a team of 12–20 paralegals. I improved departmental efficiency by 30% and helped complete more than 150 legal cases with a focus on compliance and deadlines.

I develop procedures for case initiation, development, and closure, while implementing solutions for recurring operational issues. I also introduced AI use in drafting processes and report departmental performance to upper management.

At Castec Representaciones SAS, I manage commercial contract lifecycles and risk analysis for NDAs, non-exclusive distribution agreements, and commercial representation agreements in the equipment and infrastructure sector. I advise international companies and suppliers across Colombian and international legal contexts.

My background also includes personal injury litigation support at Law Brothers and legal research, appeals, consumer rights, intellectual property, warranties, and copyright work at Colombia’s Superintendencia de Industria y Comercio. I bring Colombian legal counsel experience alongside U.S. senior paralegal operations experience.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Department Lead

Current

Legal Analysis and Compliance

Dec 2022 - Present (3 years 9 months)

Developed strategies to enhance performance and compliance of the Department to provide quality UCERT, Sub-Ins and FOIA requests. Oversaw daily legal operations, structured internal reference procedures, and implemented innovative solutions including AI use for drafting processes.

Legal Analysis Compliance UCERT Freedom Of Information Process Improvement AI Implementation Contract Lifecycle Management Team Leadership

Current

Legal Counsel

Current

Castec Representaciones SAS

Jan 2020 - Present (6 years 8 months)

Managed contract lifecycle and modeled documents for risk analysis in NDAs, non-exclusive distribution agreements, and commercial representation agreements. Provided expert legal advice on complex matters for informed decision-making and risk mitigation in Colombian and international legal contexts.

Contract Management Risk Analysis NDA Commercial Agreements Legal Advice International Law

Paralegal

Law Brothers

Jan 2022 - Dec 2022 (11 months)

Provided essential legal support for the initial drafting process for personal injury settlements and lawsuits. Conducted investigations, client interviews, and expert consultations to identify crucial facts and information for case preparation.

Legal Drafting Personal Injury Case Preparation Investigation Client Interviews

Paralegal

Superintendencia De Industria Y Comercio

Jan 2021 - Jan 2022 (1 year)

Assisted with high-level legal research and drafting legal documents for the agency, including legal action concepts and appeals presented before the Constitutional Court of Colombia. Contributed to public legal writings on consumer rights, lemon law, intellectual property, warranties, and copyright.

Legal Research Legal Drafting Consumer Rights Intellectual Property Constitutional Law

Intellectual Property Legal Assistant

Herrera DíazAbogados

Jun 2018 - Dec 2018 (6 months)

Advised on copyright law and drafted formal legal documents presented to government officials to ensure regulatory alignment. Participated in research for a high-profile case regarding slogan ownership, contributing to a successful outcome for the firm.