Leslie Simoneau

*** ***** ******* ******, ** ****8

Cell: 612-***-**** acgfxi@r.postjobfree.com linkedin.com/in/lesliesimoneau

Employment attorney with expertise in advising management and executives on employment law and managing

single plaintiff and class action litigation. Depth of my experience includes actions alleging discrimination,

harassment, retaliation, personal injury, breach of contract, wrongful termination and wage and hours. I design,

develop and implement effective policies, procedures and regulatory compliance guidelines that reduce costs

and exposure for the company.

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS

Exemplis Corporation, Cypress, CA, (Contract position) February 2014 – August 2014

Senior Corporate Counsel

Led and Managed Litigation

o Interview and select outside counsel and develop and strategize the litigation course of action

o Work with insurance carriers to ensure best and most cost effective resolution for the claims

o Design alternative fee arrangements to negotiate fees with outside counsel

o Ensure outside legal fees do not exceed budget

Provided strategic and legal advice to Exemplis’ Executive and Management Teams:

o Advise on product liability and Consumer Protection Safety Commission reporting requirements

o Conduct risk assessments and improved processes on work compensation practices, quality

control process, customer incident reporting procedures

o Branding and product identity protection

Drafted, Reviewed and Negotiatde Employment and Commercial Agreements:

White label arrangements with dealers and retailers

Sales Representative agreements

Company collaboration agreements

Regulatory Compliance and Patent and Trademark Management

Life Time Fitness, Inc., Chanhassen MN, (LTM on the NYSE) April 2006 – January 2014

Senior Corporate Counsel October 2010 – January 2014

Led and Managed Litigation

o Prepared disputes for litigation, conducted investigations, interviewed witnesses, drafted

memoranda

o Evaluated litigation matters to determine if the Company should settle or litigate claims

o Responded to all state and federal administrative charges – EEOC, Human Rights, DOL, NLRB

o Interviewed and selected outside counsel

o Developed and strategize the litigation course of action

o Represented the Company at mediations, settlement hearings, fact finding conferences

o Designed/negotiated alternative fee arrangements with outside counsel to ensure fees do not

exceed budget

Provided tactical counseling, problem solving and crisis management to avoid litigation:

o Human Resources – employment investigations, employment litigation, employment agreements,

compliance with state and federal regulations, benefits, recruiting, new hire functions, I-9 compliance,

wage & hour, exempt/non-exempt job analysis, reduction in force and WARN

o Personal Training – compliance with offsite training program to ensure Trainers are properly

compensated and adherence to the FLSA and DOL also draft member waiver form, ensure

compliance with the 7(i) exemption and non-compete and non-solicitation agreements

o New Club Openings – provided Executive Team with applicable regulations to ensure compliance

with state and local laws for all aspects of the business

Prepared temporary/permanent US visa applications, work permits/visa applications, I-9 compliance

Continually analyzed proposed and established legislation, prepare legal recommendations for Executive

Team, and continually design company policies to ensure compliance

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Drafted and maintained the Team Member Handbook and Code of Conduct

Led and oversaw the Company’s drug and alcohol program

Led, designed and implemented training courses and policies & procedures:

o Title VII compliance – ADA, harassment, discrimination, retaliation, 3rd party retaliation, GINA

o FLSA compliance – proper “worker” classification, exempt vs. non-exempt status, donning and

doffing, breaks & rest periods, travel time, interns, tips & tip pooling, commissions and bonuses, work

restrictions for minors, discipline and discharge

o Leaves – FMLA, jury duty, USERRA, ADA (interactive process), vacation, paid time off

Corporate Counsel September 2007 – October 2010

Managed employment litigation and agency claims

Designed and implemented training courses and policies & procedures

Provided legal counsel & employment advice to Company Executives, Directors, and Managers

Drafted and maintained the Team Member Handbook to more effectively train and prepare team

members on legal, HR, and company policy/procedure compliance

Employee Relations Attorney April 2006 – September 2007

Managed Employment Litigation & Agency Claims

Developed and Implemented Training Courses and Policies & Procedures

Provided legal counsel & employment advice to company Executives, Directors, and Managers

Designed/implemented employee warning report, performance improvement plan & termination process

Oversaw and conducted employee investigations to resolution

The Wellbridge Company, Midwest Region, Minneapolis MN August 1992-April 2006

Staff Attorney November 1999-April 2006

Interpreted and communicated Federal and State statutes to ensure Wellbridge’s policies and procedures

complied with Local, State, and Federal statutes, and regulations

Investigated employee claims and counseled field staff on appropriate course of action

Drafted the Manager On Duty (MOD) manual and training program to more effectively train MOD

candidates, manual and training program include both legal and company policy/procedure compliance

Program Director November 1998-November 1999

Organized and implemented profit center club activities, promotional programs, special events

Managed profit centers for successful revenue while working within budgetary guidelines

Operations Manager August 1992- November 1998

Executed high standard of club operations and provided excellent customer service

Hired, managed, trained, and provided leadership to Frontline Staff and Department Supervisors

Promptly responded to customer suggestions to improve customer service and employee training

EDUCATION

Hamline University School of Law, Juris Doctor, May 1999

University of Minnesota –Twin Cities, Bachelor of Arts, French and Philosophy, June 1996

L’Universite de Paul Valery, Montpellier France, Junior Year Abroad

LICENSES, ADDITIONAL TRAINING & CERTIFICATIONS

Admitted to practice law in Minnesota (#0339507)

Registered In-House Counsel in California (#801980)

Orange County and CA State Bar Associations – member

Hennepin County, MN State and American Bar Associations – member

Word, Excel, Power Point, Westlaw Next

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