Director of Human Resources (August 2005-Present)
Office/Human Resources Manager (October 2001-August 2005)
Confidential,Austin, Texas

Responsible for human resources function of Chicago-based law firm with 9 offices and 300+ employees. Responsibilities include benefits administration, extensive employee relations, grievance and complaint investigations, performance management, compensation administration, implementation of policies and procedures, and local facilities management. Serve as plan administrator for benefits plans and member of firm benefits committee; create job descriptions for all positions, recruit non-attorney staff, conduct employee orientation, manage staff development opportunities, and handle terminations (voluntary and involuntary). Prepared for and directed firm move to new office site with a budget of $300,000. Attended all construction meetings; worked directly with architects and designers; managed vendor relations, etc. Directly supervise three HR Managers, HR Generalist, HR assistant and Austin non-attorney and administrative staff of approximately 30.

People Development Manager (Human Resources Manager) (September 2000-May 2001)
Confidential,Austin, Texas (Position ended due to layoff; local site closed)

Managed human resources function for local office of publicly traded, B2B, e-commerce company with corporate headquarters located in Pittsburgh, PA consisting of 1,100 employees globally. Developed new-hire orientation program. Formulated corporate policies. Coordinated and communicated benefits plans to employees, including medical, dental, vision, life, STD, LTD, and 401(k) plans. Served as benefits administrator for benefit programs. Handled extensive employee relations issues, as well as suggestions and grievances, corrective actions and terminations (voluntary and involuntary). Assisted with administration of local performance management program. Responsible for human resources department budget, including recruiting budget. Assisted with reduction in force planning and office shut-down. Responded to claims for unemployment benefits. Directly supervised recruiter and assistant.

Human Resources Manager (September 1999-Sept. 2000)
Confidential,Austin, Texas (Position ended due to layoff; business closed)

Planned, aligned and coordinated human resources function for fast-paced, start-up, technology company where human resources department did not exist. Formulated and communicated policies and practices for new hire and employee information. Developed job descriptions for all positions. Administered performance management program. Designed and implemented process for recruiting efforts, thereby growing company from approximately 30 to 150 employees. Negotiated contracts with off-site recruiters. Recruited 75+ employees in four months. Aided in selection of benefits programs, including: 401(k) plan, health, dental, LTD and STD insurance plans, and premium only plan. Coordinated and communicated benefits plans to employees. Served as benefits administrator for benefit programs, including COBRA and HIPAA. Responsible for administration of payroll through ADP payroll software. Co-developed and administered compensation program. Responded to claims for unemployment benefits and workers’ compensation insurance. Negotiated contracts with outside vendors for facilities maintenance and management. Handled employee relations issues, as well as suggestions and grievances, corrective actions and terminations (voluntary and involuntary). Assisted with reduction in force planning. Directly supervised team of three employees including a full-time recruiter and human resources coordinator.

Office Manager
Confidential,Austin, Texas (August 1996-August 1999)
Responsibilities included AP/AR, client billing, compensation, benefits administration, budgeting, and information systems and facilities management. Conducted the human resources functions of interviewing, hiring, orientation, salary administration, staff development and terminations. From August 1996 through June 1997, I was also a contract paralegal for Harrison & Rial, L.L.P. During that time I assisted with case management and trial preparation of products liability/commercial litigation files.

Paralegal June 1994-July 1996)
Confidential, Austin, Texas (Position ended due to layoff; firm no longer in existence)
Managed personal injury/insurance defense files from inception through settlement or trial. Responsibilities included legal research, drafting pleadings, discovery, and other legal documents, summarizing depositions, and general trial preparation. Interviewed and prepared clients and witnesses for depositions and hearing/trial testimony. Obtained court settings, attended and assisted attorneys in depositions and hearings. Assisted in conducting interviews of incoming legal, secretarial and reception staff. Delegated duties to paralegal, case clerk and secretary.

Confidential,Austin, Texas (Position ended due to layoff; firm no longer in existence)

Responsibilities included managing and handling all aspects of new employment law cases (federal and state) from inception through attendance at trial, including but not limited to, legal research, drafting pleadings and other legal documents, and summarizing depositions. Interviewed and prepared clients and witnesses for depositions and trial, compiled, organized and managed numerous exhibits, exhibit lists, and databases. Attended and assisted attorney in depositions and hearings. Attended and assisted attorney in trial from voir dire through issuance of a verdict. Assisted in three (3) federal jury trials and five (5) state jury trials throughout the State of Texas. Delegated duties to two (2) litigation assistants (case clerks) and secretary. Assisted in conducting performance reviews of litigation assistants and secretary. Assisted with interviews of incoming secretarial support staff. Assisted head of litigation with orientating new associate attorneys.

Education:
Human Resource Management Certificate Program,
Certificate awarded April 1999
Professional in Human Resources (PHR), Certified June 1999 by the Society for
Human Resource Management - Human Resource Certification Institute
Legal Assistant Certificate Program,
Certificate awarded December 1990

Affiliations:
Member - Society for Human Resource Management
Member - Austin Human Resource Management Association
Member - Association of Legal Administrators