Experience

Entertainment Industry Foundation

• United States
• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Senior Vice President Human Resources & Labor Relations

  • Jan 2021 - Present



YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles

• Non-profit Organizations
• 200 - 300 Employee

• Chief Human Resources Officer/General Counsel

  • Aug 2015 - Nov 2020

  • Oversaw all HR and Risk/Compliance functions, including talent acquisition and recruitment, compensation and benefits, employee relations, HRIS and Human Resource operations for 26 branch locations, 2 camps, 50+ child care sites and over 3000 employees in the greater Los Angeles area. • Implemented and developed COVID-19 prevention and reopening guidelines, procedures, strategies and training for employees, members and child care.• Oversaw all legal matters, including employment litigation, wage and hour, general litigation, workers’ compensation, contracts and leases. • Handled in-house legal matters, including contract review, investigations and responses to charges and complaints. Managed and oversaw outside counsel related to all other legal matters.• Partnered with, and key officer for, the Board of Directors in all legal, compensation, risk and compliance matters. • Oversaw succession and talent management, diversity, reward and recognition programs. • Oversaw Training and Development, including development and implementation of harassment training, diversity and implicit bias training, supervisor training and all other related trainings. • Led compensation practices and performance reviews across the organization to ensure that compensation decisions were fair, consistent and based on legitimate factors. • Handled in-house legal matters, including contract review, investigations and responses to Managed and oversaw outside counsel related to all legal matters. • Provided operational oversight and management of all HR programs and processes.



Seyfarth Shaw LLP

• United States
• Law Practice
• 700 & Above Employee

• Counsel

  • May 2013 - Jul 2015

  Represented companies and not-for-profit institutions in a wide variety of employment-related matters, including wrongful discharge, discrimination, harassment, whistleblowing, retaliation and wage and hour class actions. Researched and drafted numerous state and federal court motions. Made appearances in California state and federal court. Counseled employers on various employment issues, including the Family Medical Leave Act, the California Family Rights Act, wage and hour issues and compliance with state and federal anti-discrimination statutes. Took and defended depositions of plaintiffs and witnesses. Investigated employee complaints concerning harassment, discrimination, manager misconduct and various other employment-related matters. Prepared and conducted sexual harassment and other training for employees and managers. Drafted and revised various employment polices and procedures. Drafted and negotiated executive employment contracts and severance agreements.



UBS Investment Bank (Consultant)

• Employee Relations Specialist

  • Sep 2006 - Jun 2011

  Investigated employee complaints concerning harassment, discrimination, manager misconduct and various other employment-related matters. Conducted training for employees and managers concerning harassment, discrimination, employment laws, disabilities and managing for success. Developed and delivered training entitled “Managing within US Laws.” Prepared and delivered Orientation and Sexual Harassment training for all new employees. Advised management during headcount exercises regarding risks and various employment laws. Developed on-line sexual harassment training program with vendor. Advised managers regarding various employee issues, including performance, attendance, disabilities, leaves of absence and policy violations. Prepared quarterly Employment Law Update. Revised and updated UBS employment application and various employment policies.



Epstein, Becker & Green

• United States
• Law Practice
• 500 - 600 Employee

• Employment Law Associate

  • Jan 2001 - Jan 2006

  Researched and drafted various state and federal court pleadings, including complaints, summary judgment motions, and motions to dismiss. Prepared discovery responses. Drafted, reviewed, and revised employment applications, employee handbooks, and severance agreements. Prepared and presented an on-site seminar for an employer and its managers regarding relevant employment laws. Conducted investigations regarding harassment and discrimination and prepared responses to the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights.



Akerman Senterfitt

• Law Practice
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Employment Law Associate

  • Jan 1997 - Jan 1999

  Researched and drafted various state and federal court pleadings, including appeals to the Eleventh Circuit, summary judgment motions, motions to dismiss and jury instructions. Drafted and reviewed employment applications, employee handbooks, employment contracts and settlement agreements. Conducted seminars and prepared seminar materials for clients regarding sexual harassment, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act and other employment-related topics.



Proskauer Rose

• United Kingdom
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Employment/Labor Law Associate

  • Jan 1993 - Jan 1997

  Represented corporations in a wide variety of employment-related litigation matters, emphasizing wrongful discharge, employment discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliatory discharge and ERISA matters. Researched and drafted numerous state and federal court motions, including appellate briefs to the Ninth Circuit, writs, demurrers, summary judgment motions, petitions to compel arbitration and discovery motions. Made appearances in California state and federal courts. Counseled employers on a wide variety of employment issues, including the California Corporate Criminal Liability Act, the California Written Illness and Injury Prevention Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, drug testing, wage and hour issues, and compliance with Title VII, the Fair Employment and Housing Act and other anti-discrimination statutes. Took and defended depositions of plaintiffs and witnesses.



Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meager & Flom

• United States
• Law Practice
• 700 & Above Employee

• Employment/Labor Law Associate; Summer Associate

  • Jan 1990 - Jan 1993

  Propounded and responded to interrogatories and document requests. Defended depositions. Litigated Section132a claims before the California Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board. Reviewed and revised employee handbooks, employment applications, employment contracts and settlement agreements. Conducted labor due diligence for corporate mergers and acquisitions. Prepared WARN Act notices.