attorney/manager

Posted on: 2006-06-19

DENISE L. HAGEMEIER, JD 2533-7 Costmary Lane, Wilmington, NC 28412 910-793-2619 [email protected] Vice President / Director – Human Resources / General Counsel Employment Law / Litigation / Negotiation / Claims / Risk Avoidance / Training / Liability Regulatory Compliance / Staffing / Contracts / Dispute Resolution / Strategic Planning Led employment law department at top one hundred Massachusetts law firm. Represented employees and employers in human resource issues, including hiring, performance reviews, termination, family/medical leave, wage/hour claims, and claims of discrimination and sexual harassment. Reengineered firm’s human resources/personnel group for greater productivity.  Turned around employment law function, creating and implementing new policies and procedures.  Took charge and overhauled firm’s human resources/employment department.  Litigated employment law case for employer, reducing damages awarded 92%.  Created unique strategy to reach settlement on client’s family/medical leave claim. Special Skills: Building strong relationships between employees and company. Establishing results-oriented teams. Assessing organizational deficiencies and creating effective solutions. Developing policies and practices to meet corporate goals. Expert legal counsel on complex issues. Leader in change and innovation. Juris Doctor, Columbus School of Law, Catholic University. BS, Political Science, Trinity College (cum laude). Member: Massachusetts Bar Association and North Carolina Bar Association (pending). Published in Northeast Human Resources Association and BostonWorks.com. SELECTED ACHIEVEMENTS Turned around employment law function, creating and implementing new policies and procedures. Volunteered to take lead role in employment litigation with department unprofitable and in disarray. With no experience in this area, pursued additional coursework and participated in several seminars on subject matter. Initiated strict policy on cases accepted and guidelines for fee structure. Established expectations and trained associates on new policies and procedures. Turned department into profit maker in five years. Took charge and overhauled firm’s human resources/employment department. Assigned lead responsibility for all personnel issues. Provided guidance on all compliance issues in areas including human resources and employment. Prepared comprehensive, up-to-date revision of personnel manual. Implemented on-going communications plan with management and staff. Greatly reduced staff turnover and eliminated potential employee actions against firm. Litigated employment law case for employer, reducing damages awarded 92%. Hired to represent chemical company client being sued for $300K+ by former student intern for unpaid wages and violation of child labor laws. Conducted in-depth investigation of case circumstances, determining no company wrongdoing. Launched vigorous defense, resulting in judge ordered mediation. Settled case through mediation process for $25K. Created unique strategy to reach settlement on client’s family/medical leave claim. Represented client whose sister, killed in 9/11 attack, had young child. Client sought and was denied family/medical leave, under Family Medical Leave Act, to care for child. Performed thorough analysis of FMLA, determining employer had no obligation. Advised client to promote cause in media sources and generated local press coverage. Secured employer agreement to provide requested family/medical leave for client. CAREER OVERVIEW Vice President & Shareholder, Barron & Stadfeld, P.C. – 1993 to 2006. Promoted to partner in 20+ attorney firm with over $6M in gross annual income. Served as member of firm’s management committee, responsible for directing all aspects of day-to-day firm operation, including financial, human resource, staffing, material and facilities issues. Managed departments of family/domestic law, employment law and landlord/tenant litigation, providing direct supervision of all department associates. Associate Attorney, Barron & Stadfeld, P.C. – 1989 to 1993. Practiced in areas of family law, employment law, landlord/tenant law, and social security disability claims. Earlier Career: Solo Practitioner, Denise Delpero, Attorney-At-Law – 1986 to 1989; Associate Attorney, Law Office of Kenneth C. Roy – 1983 to 1986.