Joanna Blake

Joanna Blake Email and Phone Number

Senior Employment Counsel to CA & Multi-State Businesses + Strategic/People-Centered HR Leader @ Rutan & Tucker, LLP
Joanna Blake's Location
Los Angeles Metropolitan Area, United States, United States
Joanna Blake's Contact Details
About Joanna Blake

Dynamic labor and employment counsel and HR leader providing practical legal guidance and people-focused leadership to CA and multi-state businesses. Trusted advisor. Known for identifying needs, building initiatives, and driving implementation to meet business goals and mitigate organizational risks. Excels at collaborating with key stakeholders and building cross-functional teams. Reputation for proactive and pragmatic problem solving, clear communication, organization, integrity, work ethic, and accountability. DE&I champion. Admitted to practice in CA and TX.

Joanna Blake's Current Company Details
Rutan & Tucker, LLP

Rutan & Tucker, Llp

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Senior Employment Counsel to CA & Multi-State Businesses + Strategic/People-Centered HR Leader
Joanna Blake Work Experience Details
  • Rutan & Tucker, Llp
    Of Counsel, Employment
    Rutan & Tucker, Llp Sep 2022 - Present
    Irvine, California, Us
    I provide preventative counseling and guidance to businesses regarding all aspects of the employer-employee relationship. This includes: Serving as a day-to-day resource regarding employment questions;Advising employers about wage and hour risks such as meal/rest period regulations, employee misclassification (exempt/non-exempt), improper bonus/commission plans, unpaid business expenses, uniform claims, reporting time pay, and timecard rounding; Guiding employers through reduction-in-force programs, including compliance with state and federal laws such as the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (“WARN”); Drafting employee handbooks, workplace policies, employment agreements, commission plans, separation agreements, and employee counseling documents; Advising on leave of absence and disability accommodation issues; and Providing on-site sexual harassment training pursuant to A.B. 1825.
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  • Wks Restaurant Group
    Vice President Of People Services And General Counsel
    Wks Restaurant Group Aug 2016 - Apr 2021
    Cypress, Ca, Us
    Leadership: Senior leader responsible for people, training, and legal strategies for franchisee of five nationally-known restaurant brands (Wendy’s, El Pollo Loco, Denny’s, Krispy Kreme, and Blaze Pizza). During tenure, grew from 116 to over 340 units and from 5,000 to 10,000 employees in 19 states. Led team of 12 HR and Training professionals.Legal: Sole attorney. Provided advice and training to senior leaders, operations partners and HR team about employment and wage/hour risks, including sensitive terminations, harassment, discrimination, and retaliation complaints, protected leaves, workplace accommodations, meal and rest break compliance, exempt/non-exempt classifications, and COVID-19 protocols. Implemented systems to maintain multi-state legal compliance. Managed all stages of employment claims and litigation, including wage/hour class actions and PAGA claims; controlled legal spend. Conducted all employment related due diligence and transition planning for mergers and acquisitions. Prepared and reviewed wide range of contracts and agreements.HR/Training: Provided strategic vision for HR and Training teams focused on people-centric culture, employee engagement, retention, recruiting, career path development, and total rewards. Developed and implemented best practices for addressing employment issues while scaling organization for growth. Led people-focused integration program for newly acquired teams. Directed misconduct investigations. Led the creation, implementation and training of procedures and programs, including employee handbooks, people development and succession planning programs. Built and led implementation of Company total rewards (compensation and benefits) strategy.
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  • Le Duff America, Inc.
    Associate General Counsel
    Le Duff America, Inc. Apr 2014 - Jun 2016
    Dallas, Texas, Us
    In-house counsel for Le Duff America, Inc., which owned la Madeleine, Mimi's Cafe and Bruegger's Bagels. Managed all litigation and controlled legal spend. Advised business and HR partners about complex human resources policy and employee relations issues. Created, implemented and maintained policies and systems to ensure legal compliance across 35 states. Led Risk Management department, including oversight of insurance renewals for all coverage lines, as well as GL and workers' compensation claims administration and litigation.Prepared and reviewed contracts and agreements (e.g., marketing, technology, services). Oversaw drafting and maintenance of corporate records, including Board minutes and resolutions. Advised operations and marketing regarding protection of brands’ intellectual property.
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  • Mimi'S Cafe
    Sr. Director Of Legal Affairs
    Mimi'S Cafe Nov 2009 - Apr 2014
    Dallas, Tx, Us
    In-house counsel and sometime Human Resources leader for Mimi's Cafe, a chain of up to 147 upscale casual dining restaurants in 23 states. Leadership/Employment Law Advisor: Executive team member responsible for employment law strategy. Advised, counseled, and trained executives, operations leaders, and HR team on complex employment risks and issues, with particular focus on wage/hour liabilities. Collaborated with HR and operations partners to develop, revise, and implement company policies.Legal/Litigation: Managed litigation using outside counsel. Represented company in mediations and before state and federal EEO and wage/hour enforcement agencies. Led enterprise-wide wage/hour task force to identify federal and state wage/hour risks and implement policies and procedures to mitigate potential liabilities. Significantly reduced wage/hour class action liabilities through strategic partnerships with operations and HR. Decreased employment claims and related outside counsel spend by 50 percent. Reviewed contracts and advised marketing, operations, and real estate regarding business deals. Supervised Administrator of Alcoholic Beverage Control and process for obtaining and renewing alcoholic beverage licenses. Conducted and directed internal investigations. As interim HR leader, guided team through employee relations, total rewards, and company acquisition challenges.
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  • Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo
    Senior Associate
    Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo 2001 - Nov 2009
    Cerritos, Ca, Us
    Employment and labor attorney representing employers in all stages of employment litigation, arbitrations, and administrative agency claims. Supervised junior associates and paralegals. Advised and counseled employers regarding human resources policy and employee relations issues, including hiring, discipline and termination, discrimination, leaves of absence administration (family medical, workers’ compensation and disability leaves), workplace accommodations, harassment and other internal investigations, and wage/hour issues. Designed and conducted training seminars and conference presentations on complex employment law topics.
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  • Lionel Sawyer & Collins
    Attorney
    Lionel Sawyer & Collins 1998 - 2001
    Las Vegas, Nv, Us
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  • Broadway Stores, Inc.
    Business Manager, Product Development
    Broadway Stores, Inc. 1994 - 1996
  • Broadway Stores, Inc.
    Human Resources & Training
    Broadway Stores, Inc. 1989 - 1994

Joanna Blake Skills

Litigation Employee Relations Employment Law Arbitration Legal Compliance Training Employment Contracts Litigation Management Mediation Deferred Compensation Human Resources Employee Handbooks Discrimination Wage And Hour Cross Functional Team Leadership Fmla Legal Writing Management Hiring Internal Investigations Employment Discrimination Employment Law Compliance Team Building Civil Litigation Legal Research Risk Management Workplace Harassment Class Actions

Joanna Blake Education Details

  • Southwestern Law School
    Southwestern Law School
    Jd
  • Chapman University
    Chapman University
    Legal Studies

Frequently Asked Questions about Joanna Blake

What company does Joanna Blake work for?

Joanna Blake works for Rutan & Tucker, Llp

What is Joanna Blake's role at the current company?

Joanna Blake's current role is Senior Employment Counsel to CA & Multi-State Businesses + Strategic/People-Centered HR Leader.

What is Joanna Blake's email address?

Joanna Blake's email address is jb****@****yer.com

What schools did Joanna Blake attend?

Joanna Blake attended Southwestern Law School, Chapman University.

What skills is Joanna Blake known for?

Joanna Blake has skills like Litigation, Employee Relations, Employment Law, Arbitration, Legal Compliance, Training, Employment Contracts, Litigation Management, Mediation, Deferred Compensation, Human Resources, Employee Handbooks.

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