Small firm law practice specializing in Social Security Disability and SSI disability benefit claims. We assist individuals with disabilities achieve a modicum of financial and healthcare security. My coworkers and I put our wealth of experience and sincere compassion for others to work for those who need or would like assistance navigating the administrative law labyrinth. We offer one-on-one interaction with our firm and our personal commitment to doing everything in our power to assist you to restore your dignity and secure the benefits you deserve.

General Practice legal advisors and counselors at law, attending to the needs of individuals, not-for-profit entities, and small businesses.

Administrative rule drafting, editing, filing and interpreting for the Oregon Department of Human Services, Children, Adults & Families Division, Child Welfare and Self Sufficiency programs. The rulemaking work was necessary both to implement new legislation and to ensure new agency program initiatives were consistent with controlling state legislation and federal law. These decisions may have significant implications for the Department’s budget and can affect the health and safety of Oregonians served by the programs operated by the Children, Adults and Families Division of the Department.Support hearing representatives in contested case hearings. The contested case hearings support requires knowledge and application of the relevant hearings provisions of the Oregon Administrative Procedures Act, Oregon administrative rules, and federal regulations. Review, revise, and re-issue Administrative Law Judge issued proposed final orders regarding claimant requested contested case hearings. This involves reviewing and analyzing proposed and final orders issued by administrative law judges and determining, in some cases, whether the agency should rewrite the order.

Performed the full-range of attorney services in a vigorous and voluminous Social Security Disability law practice. Primary focus of this practice was representing claimants at hearings before federal administrative law judges.• In advocating for these clients I conducted new client intake consultations; drafted pre-hearing and hearing preparation memoranda, medical provider questionnaires and letters; conducted witness interviews and transcribed statements; drafted hearing memoranda and prepared hearing exhibits for organization and submission.• I had regular and frequent communication and interaction with clients, witnesses, Social Security Office of Disability Adjudication and Review attorneys and staff, independent vocational and medical experts, and administrative law judges.• I analyzed, researched and drafted hearing memoranda, Social Security Appeals Council Briefs and United States District Court Plaintiff’s Opening and Reply briefs.• Also directed, supervised and evaluated the work activities and product of office paralegals, legal assistants and administrative staff.

• Managed activities in multiple program areas: Regulatory Compliance, Employee Relations, Recruiting, Compensation, Benefits, Workforce Diversity and Performance Management.• Conducted periodic reviews to assure compliance with applicable governmental rules, regulations and laws, as well as analyses to ensure that policies and procedures were effective and competitively viable. Recommended suitable revisions, as needed, to senior management.• Advised management on company responsibilities under the Fair Labor Standards Act, Equal Employment Opportunity Act, FMLA / OFLA, Worker's Compensation Act, OSHA, ADA, COBRA, HIPAA and other governmental regulations affecting human resources functions.• Ensured employment, safety, labor and personnel policies and practices complied with applicable provisions of state and federal laws. Maintained all necessary reports and files.• Created and implemented programs to meet Human Resources needs, working closely with regional and headquarters management. Developed expertise of staff through effective hiring, conducting impactful employee performance evaluations, identifying individual training and development needs; as well as coaching, disciplining and terminating employees as necessary for optimal business performance and overall positive employer / employee relations.• Directed the candidate selection process: recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, orientation and initial training of diverse workforce in a Retail environment.

• Produced effective written memoranda on a variety of legal topics including Employment, Labor Relations, Evidence, Civil Service, Contracts, Remedies, Public Records and Tort Claims.• Assisted attorneys with preparation for and participated in witness interviewing, discovery matters, deposition questions, settlement negotiations, and administrative & arbitration hearings.

• Conducted legal research, wrote and edited documents as directed by the Assistant Dean for Natural Resources and Environmental Law and a Professor of Law.• Assisted in the planning and facilitation of an organizational Futures Forum Summit Meeting involving federal and state agencies, the private sector, and non-governmental organizations.• Conducted research and analysis on law school institutes and made recommendations on how NRLI could best formulate its mission, goals, funding mechanisms and organizational structure.

• Managed activities in multiple program areas: Regulatory Compliance, Employee Relations, Recruiting, Compensation, Benefits, Workforce Diversity and Performance Management.• Conducted periodic reviews to assure compliance with applicable governmental rules, regulations and laws, as well as analyses to ensure that policies and procedures were effective and competitively viable. Recommended suitable revisions, as needed, to senior management.• Advised management on company responsibilities under the Fair Labor Standards Act, Equal Employment Opportunity Act, FMLA / OFLA, Worker's Compensation Act, OSHA, ADA, COBRA, HIPAA and other governmental regulations affecting human resources functions.• Created job descriptions including responsibilities, duties and proficiencies for more than 20 positions at all levels within the bakery. As a complement to these documents, developed a compensation system to synchronize wages for positions with equivalent skill requirements.• Purchased ingredients and supplies, obtaining highest quality at the best costs, reduced cost of goods sold by over ten percent; Negotiated agreements to protect against price fluctuations, and procured relocation cost-sharing from vendors for move into a new manufacturing facility.• Directed the candidate selection process: recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, orientation and initial training of diverse workforces in Manufacturing and Retail environments.

• One hundred percent responsible for branch operations in a 24/7 customer service and on-demand custom manufacturing environment.• Ensured employment, safety, labor and personnel policies and practices complied with applicable provisions of state and federal laws. Maintained all necessary reports and files.• Coordinated with company vice-presidents to define the roles of newly created functional departments. Solicited constituent feedback; conducted industry-wide research; tested systems, policies, procedures and products; made recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding policy and budgetary concerns.• Created and implemented programs to meet Human Resources needs, working closely with regional and headquarters management. Developed expertise of staff through effective hiring, conducting impactful employee performance evaluations, identifying individual training and development needs; as well as coaching, disciplining and terminating employees as necessary for optimal business performance and overall positive employer / employee relations.• Purchased supplies, obtaining highest quality at the best costs, reducing cost of goods sold.• Directed the candidate selection process: recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, orientation and initial training of diverse workforces in Manufacturing and Retail environments.