Theresa Bailey

Military Service:

• Rank: Lance Corporal

  Branch/Position: Marine Corps

  Period: November 2008 - November 2016

  Occupation: Administrative Clerk

  Security Clearance: None

  Duties Description:

  Administrative clerks performed clerical and administrative duties, including postal service, incident to general and operational administration. They used both manual and automated information systems. Typical duties consisted of the preparation of naval correspondence and messages; preparation and maintenance of directives; preparation of travel orders; completion of general administrative requirements such as leave authorizations and identification cards; and preparation and maintenance of command punishment books.

  Personal achievements: 

  Theresa Bailey served with honor and distinction in the United States Marine Corps. While attending law school and fulfilling her duties in the Marine Reserves, she courageously reported to her battalion serious violations committed by superiors—after a fellow Marine confided that
  he was considering suicide due to the maltreatment. Her reporting uncovered gross errors in critical documentation and exposed the abuse of multiple junior Marines by a superior. 

  In the face of personal adversity, including an unrelated gender-motivated physical attack, Theresa demonstrated extraordinary resilience—running two marathons in a single year. Her achievement was not only personal but also a pointed rebuttal to false claims that female Marines could
  not run three miles, a narrative used to tarnish reputations and deny promotions to those who reported misconduct. 

  Today, Theresa continues to champion veterans’ rights and actively seeks ways to strengthen
  integrity, accountability, and fairness within the U.S. military. 

  Training courses:

  • Certificate of Appreciation: Exceptional support to the Prior Service Recruiting Force (02/15/2012).)
  • Certification of Completion: Grey Belt Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (05/12/2009).
  • Certificate of Achievement: High endeavor, superior accomplishments (98 grade average, MOS 0151, Personal Administration School Honor Society) professional education course (05/12/2009).
  • Certificate of Commendation: Meritorious achievement in performance of duties (11/02/2012).

Work history:

• Job Title: Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel

  Company: Bella Caveat, LLC

  Period: September 2024 - present

  Trainings, Certifications and Licences:

  • CLE: New York Compliance Officer Roundtable (Sidley Law, 06/17/2025).
  • CLE: Too Much, Too Little or Just Right? Just Awards that Survive Appeal (NYS ATL, 06/24/2025).
  • CLE: Legal Intelligence Meets Artificial Intelligence: A New Era of Practice (NYS ATL, 06/26/2025).
  • CLE: Artificial Intelligence, Real Consequences: Ethical Duties in a Synthetic Era (NYS ATL, 07/09/2025).
  • CLE: Trust Issues: Mastering IOLA Ethics Without Breaking a Sweat (NYS ATL, 07/16/2025).
  • CLE: Loopholes to Liability: Outsmarting Corporate Evasion Tactics (NYS ATL, 07/24/2025).
  • CLE: Way to Represent: The Power of Corporate Depositions in NY (NYS ATL, 07/22/2025).
  • CLE: Rideshare Roulette: Tech and Torts Collide in the Courtroom (NYS ATL, 08/06/2025).
  • CLE: Securities Enforcement Forum-New York (Securities Docket, 01/28/2025).
  • CLE: Securities Enforcement Forum-D.C. (Securities Docket, 11/06/2024).
  • CLE: Corporate College Day 1 (Sidley Law, 09/10/2024).
  • CLE: Corporate College Day 2 (Sidley Law, 09/11/2024).
  • CLE: New York City Broker-Dealer Compliance Fall Roundtable (Sidley Law, 09/24/2024).
  • New York Film Academy Film Intensive (Dwyer Veterans Creative Arts Program, July-August 2025).
  • CLE: Private Funds 2025 (Sidley Law, 05/13/2025).
  • CLE: Breaking Up is Hard To Do: Structured Settlements in Employment Cases (NYS ATS, 08/12/2025).
  • Licensed to practice law in New York (September 2024 - present)
  Role Description:

   • Advised on compliance with state and federal laws, establishing policies that align
  with regulatory requirements and reduce risks within the organization. 

  • Streamlined complex legal document reviews, significantly reducing reliance on external
  legal counsel through in-house negotiations and policy enforcement. 

  • Implemented data-driven pro bono programs supporting economic empowerment, enhancing
  community engagement while optimizing resources allocation for legal
  investigations. 

  • Integrated STEM methodologies to improve legal and business operational processes within
  an innovative startup framework. 

  • Utilized analytical skills to identify and combat systemic discrimination issues,
  employing data analysis to improve organizational practices and compliance.  

• Job Title: Chief of Compliance, Development & Operations

  Company: Bella Caveat, LLC

  Period: April 2016 - September 2024

  Trainings, Certifications and Licences:

  • CLE: Orientation to the (law) profession (First Appellate Division, 04/28/2024).
  Role Description:

   • Designed and executed comprehensive compliance programs to mitigate regulatory risks and
  enhance the organization's governance framework for sustainability. 

  • Leveraged research and data to create strategic initiatives addressing gender and
  economic disparities, leading to increased organizational visibility and growth
  opportunities. 

  • Transformed marketing strategies utilizing innovative low-budget alternatives, resulting in
  substantial cost savings for business development activities. 

  • Conducted socio-economic research to inform organizational decision-making and compliance
  strategies, contributing valuable insights for policy adaptations during
  COVID-19. 

  • Enhanced the legal compliance structure by incorporating advanced data analytics,
  ensuring that governance measures are in line with industry standards.  

  • Performed more than 150 hours of pro bono legal service across multiple initiatives, including 120+ hours aiding Harlem residents in New York City Council District 9 (March–May 2024), 22+ hours supporting Right-to-Counsel housing access (NYCLA, Dec. 2023–Jan. 2024), and prior service with NYLAG and independent advocacy to connect distressed New Yorkers with critical legal and social services. 

  • Served as a whistleblower to U.S. federal and New York State authorities (May 2024–present), reporting documented violations of Americans’ rights by a U.S. governmental entity, advancing accountability through formal government channels.  

• Job Title: Legal Support Coordinator

  Company: Colony NorthStar Inc.

  Period: June 2017 - July 2017

  Role Description:

   • Performed thorough reviews and modifications of legal contracts, ensuring regulatory
  compliance and effective documentation management for the legal team. 

  • Provided administrative support for legal filings and documents in compliance with SEC
  requirements, enhancing the efficiency of legal operations. 

  • Developed organizational tools for efficient document flow and meeting preparations,
  significantly improving team productivity.  

• Job Title: Commercial Real Estate Assistant

  Company: LeFrak

  Period: November 2016 - March 2017

  Role Description:

   • Improved operational efficiency by developing and implementing an Emergency Contact
  System for the Commercial Division, strengthening compliance protocols. 

  • Organized legal records and created structured documentation to support marketing efforts
  and client engagement, facilitating smoother operations.  

• Job Title: Assistant, Information Technology

  Company: Teach For America Inc.

  Period: March 2012 - April 2015

  Role Description:

   • Supported heads of IT in legal and compliance-related initiatives, contributing to the development of policy revisions and compliance trainings. 

  • Managed comprehensive administrative tasks including travel arrangements and budget
  oversight, ensuring effective resource allocation across departments.  

• Job Title: Compliance Analyst

  Company: Wells Fargo

  Period: April 2011 - July 2011

  Role Description:

   • Conducted detailed compliance reviews, including KYC assessments and OFAC screenings, ensuring adherence to regulatory requirements. 

  • Compiled compliance reports and identified documentation gaps, actively addressing
  policy violations and reinforcing compliance measures.  

• Job Title: Human Resources Junior Generalist

  Company: Société Générale

  Period: September 2010 - December 2010

  Role Description:

   • Coordinated new hire processes, ensuring strict compliance with HR policies and regulatory
  requirements during onboarding. 

  • Drafted crucial HR documentation and audited exit interviews, promoting compliance and improving internal policies.  

• Job Title: Human Resources Associate, Diversity & Inclusion

  Company: Moody's

  Period: June 2010 - August 2010

  Role Description:

   • Provided administrative assistance to HR leadership in implementing diversity programs,
  ensuring efficient operations and compliance with organizational standards. 

  • Analyzedemployee data to inform diversity initiatives, contributing to enhanced
  workplace satisfaction and policy improvements.  

• Job Title: Tax Preparer

  Company: Ernst & Young

  Period: January 2010 - April 2010

  Role Description:

   • Prepared tax returns in compliance with a variety of regulations, identifying potential issues and ensuring timely submissions. 

  • Conducted audits of financial documents as part of compliance measures, enhancing accuracy in financial reporting.  

Education:

• New York Law School

  Juris Doctor (J.D.) – Tax, Finance, and Corporate Law

  Period: September 2012 - June 2016

• The New School

  Bachelor's Degree – Non-Fiction Writing/Journalism and Social Sciences

  Period: September 2002 - June 2008