Deputy General Counsel
Current• Provide advice, strategy and counsel regarding all facets of organizational management for a large regional building trades union representing over 25,000 members in Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. • Lead negotiator on over 100 collective bargaining agreements covering the construction and manufacturing sectors resulting in better conditions and higher wages than regional and national averages for similar agreements. • Responsible for advice and representation of the organization in employment relations matters relating to its staff of over 200 employees, including ADA compliance, Title VII investigations, discipline and discharge matters and staff salary negotiations. • Developed nearly all internal staff policies in coordination with the organization’s executive team including spearheading the development and implementation of an employee handbook. • Oversaw development of a sexual harassment policy and its utilization, including leading investigations and advising on several serious matters. • Experienced in employment mediation and arbitration representing both employees and the employer. As lead counsel, I have provided advice on, negotiated on and, if required, arbitrated all manner of employment matters including wage and hour, employee shift schedules and discipline and termination matters. • Drafted legislation, advised on political and regulatory changes and coordinated with multiple outside organizations, elected officials and interest groups to put my client and its members in the best position possible politically.• Reviewed and negotiated service contracts for compliance with organizational requirements. • Broad knowledge and experience in employment law matters gained from representing my client’s members from the employee side and my client as the employer.
