Corporate professional with over 16 years of experience in the legal and finance industry. Tasks includedPerform regular audits of legal inventory to ensure standard operating procedures are being followed.Review and develop department proceduresDirect and oversee employee professional development and retentionMaintain relationships with several external vendors and law firms across the country.Manage production flow of legal processes to ensure timely filing and critical deadlines are met.Ensure department is in compliance with the laws of the courts and to protect and secure the interests of the organization in legal matters.Manage external law firms and provide support for legal strategy for litigation in all 50 states.Manage the defense of the organization in contested matters, countersuits, and appellate matters.Prepare department reports and statistical data which includes tracking defense costs, case management, settlement costs, and litigation trends for each state.Issue written and oral instructions including internal policies and procedures for the department.Manage support staff of over 100  paralegals, legal clerks, and operations managers  that provide administrative support to all internal and external counsel which includes preparing and responding to discovery, filing various motions and pleadings, communicating with court personnel and opposing counsel, negotiating settlement when necessary, and ensuring cases are flowing through the legal channel appropriately.Attend court hearings, trials, mediations, and depositions as a corporate representative as needed.