EXPERIENCECONTRACT GENERAL COUNSEL – Employment Law, HR & COMPLIANCEMerriett Law | Encinitas, CA07/2019 - PRESENTLead consultant and attorney providing General Counsel, Human Resources & Compliance, Litigation, and Client Advocacy Services on an ongoing contracted or individual project basis.• Manage and conduct civil litigation, HR and Safety investigations, and audits.• Develop comprehensive employment policies for HR, Safety, and Compliance.• Conduct internal corporate independent contractor reclassification audits and responses for investigations.• Created safety, recruiting, and professional development plans to improve operations and employee relations.• Developed defense strategy and early litigation response to defeat class certification effort for Wage & Hour suit.• Counsel clients on business process efficiency, privacy, and HR policies to limit scope of PAGA claims.• Perform legal research, prepare legal documents, negotiate contracts, and represent clients in civil proceedings.

In this current role, I guide C-Level leadership and Operations Managers, delivering legal expertise in litigation and adeptly navigating employee reclassification, tax, and regulatory compliance audits. I formulate robust employment policies, litigation strategies, and procedures, providing a solid defense in federal SCRA litigation, DOJ investigations, and audits by IRS, FTB, and regulatory bodies. My role includes offering comprehensive legal support, from counsel and document reviews to conducting depositions and handling court proceedings in commercial, employment, and family law cases.Key Accomplishments:☛ Thwarted a plaintiff’s bounty law firm's Class Certification effort in a Wage/Hour PAGA lawsuit, leveraging strong interpersonal skills during employee interviews and employing a hands-on approach to ensure operational compliance.☛ Negotiated early and favorable resolutions for 95% of litigation demands over three years, showcasing a track record of successful outcomes for corporate clients.

During this tenure, held newly-created director role in a new independent Compliance Department for a Federal Contractor boasting over 1000 employees. In this capacity, I provided strategic counsel to C-Level Executives on Ethics, Regulatory, and Employment Laws, as well as DFARS and Contract Compliance. My role involved advocating for internal compliance to policies and procedures to ensure adherence to these laws and regulations, mitigating risks and promoting a culture of ethical conduct and regulatory compliance within the organization.Key Accomplishments:☛ Negotiated Collective Bargaining Agreements with National and Local Labor Unions, and integrated strategic and precision-crafted arbitration provisions to align seamlessly with evolving employment laws and elevate labor relations. ☛ Analyzed and evaluated global data integrity, diversity/inclusion plans, and regulatory reporting processes. ☛ Enacted unique risk mitigation strategies to encourage impeccable compliance with EEO-1, VETS-4212, and pay data reporting.

As a General Counsel – HR, Litigation & Compliance I headed a groundbreaking safety initiative that triggered a seismic shift, resulting in a remarkable reduction in employee injuries and an unprecedented experience modification rating below 1.0.Key Accomplishments:☛ Spearheaded legal and HR excellence for dynamic transportation firms with 130+ employees across four strategic locations, consistently securing and managing high-stakes government contracts.☛ Innovated a model Recruiting Advertisement recognized and embraced by all AAA contractors in Southern California in 2018, cementing a standard of excellence.☛ Revolutionized the landscape through an ambitious redesign of Tort Claim Resolution, SCRA Risk Management, and Safety Programs, gaining a remarkable 25% reduction in legal disputes and compliance challenges.☛ Orchestrated comprehensive HR and employment law initiatives, boasting a notable 100% success rate in appeals and implementing cutting-edge compliance/risk management programs.

While serving as a General Counsel, I orchestrated impactful litigations, negotiations, and discovery processes, while skillfully navigating technology licensing teams, sales forces, and administration. Taking decisive control of satellite office operations, I propelled excellence in human resources, training, and cutting-edge technology implementation.Key Accomplishments:☛ Attained 36 favorable settlements, brokered patent licenses, and advocated for the company in state/federal courts across the country, actively engaging in multi-district litigation in the Federal District Court in Minnesota.☛ Launched a high-growth licensing startup for FDL's flagship client, concurrently managing external counsel and delivering strategic legal services during pivotal transitions.☛ Offered guidance to legal and business teams in transformative initiatives, shaping tactical business development, IP licensing, and groundbreaking nationwide legal efforts.

In this role, I orchestrated high-stakes negotiations for critical licensing deals and masterfully navigated the resolution of intricate IP disputes. This included addressing challenges in patent, copyright, trademark infringement, employment law, trade secret misappropriation, contract disputes, and unfair trade practices. As the architect behind comprehensive civil litigation strategies, I seamlessly guided a diverse clientele – from corporate giants to individual stakeholders – through the complexities of the legal landscape.Key Accomplishments:☛ Commanded the establishment and launch of a distinguished law firm in Texas, recognized among America's elite as one of the Best Law Firms.☛ Led a plaintiff to victory in a formidable legal campaign, coordinating 11 patent infringement lawsuits across nine states and expertly navigating intricate patent litigation against hundreds of defendants nationwide.☛ Steered client representation in state and federal courts nationwide, culminating in successful case resolutions through arbitration and mediation.☛ Garnered acclaim as a Texas Rising Star by Thomson Reuters and Super Lawyer Magazine in 2011.☛ Orchestrated the consolidation of 18 federal patent lawsuits across states before the US Judicial Panel on Multi-District Litigation, securing a favorable settlement via strategic post-hearing communication and negotiations with key defendants.

As an Associate, I played a pivotal role in a high-stakes multi-patent litigation in the Western District of Wisconsin, spearheading non-infringement and invalidity analyses for cutting-edge computer touchpad technology. Taking charge of comprehensive case management from inception through trial, I personally led the strategic direction, motion practice, all phases of discovery, hearings, and meticulous trial preparation.Key Accomplishments:☛ Acted as a key player in W. Bryan Farney's litigation group, navigating federal and state courts nationwide with expertise in intellectual property, trademark, trade secret, employment law, unfair competition, and complex commercial litigation.☛ Recognized as a standout California Rising Star by Thomson Reuters and Super Lawyer Magazine in both 2009 and 2010.☛ Honored with the prestigious 2009 Klein Pro Bono Award for an outstanding commitment to pro bono work negotiations with key defendants.☛ Argued under 35 U.S.C. section 285, securing computer-maker Gateway over $1M in attorneys' fees in a landmark patent case against Microsoft and Dell.☛ Contributed significantly to fact investigation, interviewing witnesses and drafting statements as part of an onsite team working for acclaimed Mass Tort/Products Liability group that ultimately achieved pretrial dismissals of significance for pharmaceutical giant Amgen.

Served as a federal law clerk to the Honorable Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. in the United States District Court, Southern District of Florida.

Served in the Judge Advocate General's office and in Supply Chain & Logistics, Transportation and Material Management.