Gail Mercer
Summary
To leverage my analytical, problem-solving skills, attention to detail and excellent communication abilities to secure a challenging and rewarding role in Customs and Boarder, where I can utilize my skills to facilitate my passion for ensuring national security, international trade, and upholding integrity at our territory's borders. Eager to bring my skills to a new professional area, focused on contributing to detect and prevent terrorists and terrorist weapons from entering our Territory, conduct inspections of individuals and conveyances and facilitate the flow of legitimate trade and travel.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Compliance Analyst
Harneys
01.2021 - Current
- As a key member of the Legal Compliance Team, I play a pivotal role in maintaining the accuracy of clients' information and meticulously updating the database
- I am dedicated to ensuring strict adherence to regulatory agencies' rules, company policies, and procedures, thereby upholding organizational standards of conduct and effectively managing risk within the firm
- Evaluate new clients, bill payers and related KYC parties to understand the nature of business, ownership and control structure, identifying any higher risk areas;
- Conduct screenings on new matters within Intapp, analyze, interpret, and evaluate commercial concerns, adverse media and OFAC/EU/OFSI sanctions results;
- Responsible for the identification, escalation, and remediation of potential conflicts issues;
- Draft memos to risk committee to escalates high risk clients and matters for approval;
- Handle the periodic reviews of existing and historic clients to ensure Customer Due Diligence (CDD) requirements are met;
- Analyze complex corporate structures and liaise with attorneys in connection with CDD requirements;
- Determine risks and advise on Anti-Money Laundering, CDD, Sanctions and PEP related issues;
- Review high risk entities and high risk relations;
- Run background checks as needed for AML, KYC, Sanctions, PEPs related issues;
- Obtain client beneficial ownership information where required, clear potential matches for screenings, and ensure clients and matters are risk rated;
- Ensure enhanced due diligence policies and procedures are followed wherever higher risk triggers are identified escalating the matter as appropriate;
- Provide compliance guidance across the law firm;
- Perform risk-based assessment;
- Keep abreast of international developments in AML/CFT/CPF;
- Maintain strict standards of confidentiality in dealing with highly sensitive information;
- Conducting administrative filing and managed View Point data input with precision;
- Executing daily conflict checks requests, ensuring thorough and timely completion;
- Receiving and processing due diligence documents for both legal and fiduciary matters;
- Generating and maintaining client/matter reports from the VP system;
- Screening clients against live unstructured media, conducting world checks and sanction checks for individuals and corporate entities;
- Conducting internet research on individuals and companies to prevent money laundering;
- Perform Batch Screenings on all legal clients for any adverse media;
- Support compliance staff in different jurisdictions;
- Distribute and assign work requests to team, monitor, and report on progress;
- Led the cleanup project for reviewing and updating the current KYC missing files;
- Creating and updating compliance information on Director/Shareholder/UBO master files and databases;
- Inputting Excel data for compliance reports, maintaining accuracy and efficiency;
- Responding to staff with basic queries related to general compliance matters;
- Ensuring the timely update of the compliance database;
- Supporting the Compliance Officer/MLRO by undertaking various duties and projects;
- Additional Contributions: Scheduling and organizing compliance department meetings; and Recording comprehensive minutes of all compliance meetings to ensure accurate documentation
Corporate Services Administrator: Fiduciary & Custodial – Liquidations Department
Harneys Fiduciary
01.2018 - 01.2021
- As a Corporate Services Administrator within the Liquidations Department, I collaborated with a dedicated team to deliver comprehensive dissolution services for the firm's international and local clients, ensuring efficient handling of BVI Business Companies
- Reporting directly to the Team Leader, I also bore the responsibility for overseeing and executing various corporate secretarial tasks in alignment with the Registry of Corporate Affairs guidelines
- Managed instructions and inquiries from department heads, clients, and Harneys Legal;
- Collaborated with the Team Leader to ensure effective handling of instructions and inquiries;
- Consulted with the Team Leader to enhance overall efficiency and effectiveness;
- Reviewed and responded to daily client instructions promptly and comprehensively through various channels;
- Collaborating with banking and corporate lawyers on new instructions to deliver premier corporate solutions;
- Assessed company solvency before accepting a liquidation appointment;
- Provided clients with accurate quotations;
- Generated invoices and conducted debtor chasing;
- Drafted and provided liquidation documents, and liaised with clients for finalization;
- Drafted meticulous liquidation documents for Non-RA/RO matters;
- Collected, reviewed and submitted compliance documents to the compliance department to determine company status;
- Submitted Notice of Appointment of Liquidator to the Registry of Corporate Affairs for filing and arranged for the relevant publication of the notice with the local newspaper and BVI Official Gazette;
- Submitted Notice of Dissolution to the Registry of Corporate Affairs for filing and arranged for the relevant publication of the notice with BVI Official Gazette;
- Managed statutory filings and liaising with the Registry of Corporate Affairs/Virrgin accordingly;
- Managed Viewpoint and addressing client fee queries;
- Updated Viewpoint database post-dissolution for accurate record-keeping;
- Lead e-filing initiatives to maintain up-to-date records;
- Handled client communications, debtor chasing, and fee billing;
- Ensured efficient client billing and completion of WorkFlow steps for liquidation;
- Additional Contributions: Prepared Liquidators resolution for distribution of various assets held by the liquidating company
Legal Secretary – Corporate & Commercial Department
Harneys
01.2010 - 01.2018
- Assumed the primary responsibilities as the lead legal secretary within the department;
- Managed day-to-day secretarial tasks and facilitated efficient operations;
- Conducted daily client correspondence, showcasing strong communication skills;
- Opened and managed client matters;
- Prepared pre-bills for invoice processing;
- Prepared draft legal document including first draft of Legal Opinions, Resolutions, and Registration; of Charges, Notarial Certificates and coordinated document for legalization;
- Requested Registered Agent's Certificate from Registered Agents;
- Requested Company and High Court Searches;
- Prepared and filed Registration of Charges with the BVI Registry of Corporate Affairs on Virrgin;
- Monitored Accounts Receivable (AR) and Work in Progress (WIP);
- Entered time for lawyers to ensure accurate billing;
- Utilized SUGARCRM for Business Development data input;
- Prepared SUGAR reports and compiled information for business trips;
- Conducted research on client information for SUGAR and supported BD initiatives;
- Managed Expense Report Forms and scheduled meetings;
- Ensured accurate timekeeping by entering hours for respective lawyers;
- Assisted in drafting and filing Registration of Charges, Variation of Charges, and Release of Charges;
- Assisted with the Liquidation process including filing Notice of Appointment of Liquidator and Notice of Completion with the Registry of Corporate Affairs on Non Harneys Companies and preparing the publications for the appropriate advertisement
Legal Executive – Corporate & Commercial Department
Walkers
01.2007 - 01.2010
- Managed day-to-day secretarial tasks efficiently;
- Assisted in daily correspondence with clients;
- Opened and managed client matters;
- Drafted legal documents, including first draft of Legal Opinions, Resolutions, and Registration of Charges;
- Prepared and filed Registration of Charges with the BVI Registry of Corporate Affairs on Virrgin;
- Requested Certificates of Good Standing from the BVI Registry of Corporate Affairs;
- Monitored Accounts Receivable (AR) and Work in Progress (WIP);
- Generated invoices and conducted debtor chasing;
- Entered time for lawyers to ensure accurate billing;
- Provided telephone support in the absence of the Receptionist;
- Assisted Search Clerks by conducting company searches at the BVI Registry of Corporate Affairs and High Court Registry;
- Assisted with the Liquidation process, including filing Notice of Appointment of Liquidator and Notice of Completion with the BVI Registry of Corporate Affairs and preparing of the publications for the appropriate advertisement
Legal Secretary – Banking & Finance Department
Harneys
01.2000 - 01.2007
- Managed day-to-day secretarial tasks;
- Opened new client matters;
- Drafted Search Reports;
- Drafted and submitted Registration of Charges for filing with the Registry of Corporate Affairs for filing;
- Produced first drafts of standard legal opinions and made necessary amendments;
- Requested Registered Agent's Certificates and Certificate of Incumbency from Registered Agents;
- Requested Certificates of Good Standing from the BVI Registry of Corporate Affairs;
- Conducted Search Results from the Registry of Corporate Affairs and High Court of Justice;
- Entered time for lawyers for accurate billing;
- Responded to clients' daily emails;
- Monitored Accounts Receivable (AR) and Work in Progress (WIP);
- Generated pre-bills for the formation of client invoices;
- Conducted debtor chasing on outstanding invoices
Education
ICA Certificate - Compliance
02.2025
Foundation of Corporate Governance Series
Financial Services Institute
04.2019
Certificate of Achievement - Effective Business Writing
University of the West Indies
01.2014
Certificate of Achievement - In-House Paralegal Training Sessions
Harneys
01.2006
Paralegal Course
University of the West Indies
01.2003
Certificate in Advanced Type Writing and Computer Skills -
Wilkins Secretarial College
Basseterre, St. Kitts01.1993
High School Diploma -
Sandy Point High School
Sandy Point, St Kitts06-1992
Skills
- Communication
- Teamwork
- Adoptability
- Time Management
- Flexibility
- Leadership
- Interpersonal Skills
- Problem-solving
- Critical Thinking
- Self-motivation
- Positive Attitude
- Dependability
- Attention to detail
Proficient In
- Microsoft 365 Suite
- Workshare Compare
- IManage
- Elite WebView
- SugarCRM
- ADOBE Acrobat
- View Point
- INTAPP
Timeline
Compliance Analyst
Harneys
01.2021 - Current
Corporate Services Administrator: Fiduciary & Custodial – Liquidations Department
Harneys Fiduciary
01.2018 - 01.2021
Legal Secretary – Corporate & Commercial Department
Harneys
01.2010 - 01.2018
Legal Executive – Corporate & Commercial Department
Walkers
01.2007 - 01.2010
Legal Secretary – Banking & Finance Department
Harneys
01.2000 - 01.2007
Foundation of Corporate Governance Series
Financial Services Institute
Certificate of Achievement - Effective Business Writing
University of the West Indies
Certificate of Achievement - In-House Paralegal Training Sessions
Harneys
Paralegal Course
University of the West Indies
Certificate in Advanced Type Writing and Computer Skills -
Wilkins Secretarial College
ICA Certificate - Compliance
High School Diploma -
Sandy Point High School
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