Jeffrey Cook

***** ******* ******

Hayward, CA **544

510-***-****

acrxvf@r.postjobfree.com

LABOR & EMPLOYMENT PARALEGAL,

EMPLOYEE RELATIONS/EEO INVESTIGATOR

Labor & Employment Law expertise with superb investigative and leadership skills. Over 20 years of success and valued contributions in the corporate and law firm environments, specializing in the investigation and resolution of Labor and Employment complaints, including high profile and sensitive cases. Advised and oversaw HR/ER personnel to investigate and resolve hundreds of internal and external employee complaints with outstanding results (e.g., 99% win rate on EEO agency charges).

“Jeff is simply the best investigator and interviewer of witnesses that I have ever worked with. He has superb analytical and ‘people skills’ and is a wonderful writer.” Tom Wilson, Partner, Morrison & Foerster

Highly effective organizational, communication, and relationship management skills. A true people person and consummate multi-tasker who is often recognized by peers and clients alike for outstanding organizational and people skills. Long-term success in partnering with and overseeing HR/ Employee Relations personnel and outside counsel to handle multiple complex, sensitive, confidential investigations and compliance projects with positive outcomes. Provided training and day-to-day advice/coaching to HR/ER personnel and Operations management.

“One of Jeff’s biggest assets is his ability to interact with virtually anyone at any level, under any circumstances with poise, tact and effectiveness. He is almost ‘part’ of many dept’s.” -Ken Jew, SVP, Ross Stores

Keen understanding of compliance, court systems and regulatory agencies. Exposed to diverse cases and works well with internal and external clients, opposing counsel, and court/government officials at local, state, and federal levels to resolve disputes and compliance issues (e.g., EEOC, DFEH, OFCCP, DLSE, DOL, NLRB). Represented companies in EEO agency mediations and union grievance hearings

“Jeff negotiates and obtains tremendous results even in the most difficult situations, particularly with difficult claimants, government agencies and agents.” -Ken Jew, SVP Ross Stores

Case Management Project Management Written/Verbal Communications Advising & Counseling Negotiations Conflict Resolution

Customer Service Client Relationship Management Follow-Up & Problem Solving

“Hiring Jeff is one of the best decisions I ever made at Ross. He epitomizes the ‘team player’ and is the foundation and backbone of our department.” Mark Askanas, former SVP Human Resources and General Counsel, Ross Stores

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

LEVI STRAUSS & CO., San Francisco, CA (11/2014 to Present)

Contractor - Consultant (Reporting to Chief Counsel LSA, Global HR-Employment)

Investigated internal employee complaints and a wage and hour class action, coordinating with HR, legal team and other departments, outside counsel and vendors. Led and managed project to improve and implement utilization of Serengeti case management system. Revised Investigations Manual and drafted claims processing procedures.

ROSS STORES, INC., Pleasanton, CA (7/2001 – 10/2013)

Senior Paralegal, Manager (Reporting to SVP Human Resources and General Counsel)

Discount retail store chain and Fortune 400 Company with over 1,200 stores; sales over $10B, net earnings $800M, and 05,000 employees.

Responsible for the investigation and resolution of a wide array of labor & employment claims, including EEO agency charges, wage/hour agency claims and informal complaints/demands. Oversaw HR personnel and outside counsel from initial claim to resolution, including investigations, internal resolutions, formal settlements, position statements, mediations and/or arbitrations. Trained, counseled, and advised field HR staff in employment matters. Devised and applied guidelines and procedures for effective claims processing and case management.

Contributed in a number of special projects for HR and other business units that included compliance, employee relations, training, and claims process improvement. Projects included: Affirmative Action Pay Equity Analysis, Wage and Hour Compliance Audits, Time Allocation Analysis of Retail Store Management (exempt status), Guidelines for Handling Wage/Hour Claims, Investigations Training for HR, ADA Compliance (Retail Store Access).

Identified wage and hour compliance issues and assisted with implementation of recommendations that reduced class action liability and expenses by 75%.

Held a 99% win rate over 12 years for position statements submitted to EEO agencies (over 300).

Handled three-fold increase in annual case volume over 12 years (up to 200+ cases); reduced average costs per employee claim by 40% over 5 years during a 100% increase in volume.

Reduced settlements and penalty costs for EEO and wage/hour claims by 50%.

EARLY EXPERIENCE:

Senior Legal Assistant, Howard, Rice, Nemerovski, Canady, Falk & Rablin, P.C. (Employment Law)

Legal Assistant Coordinator/Senior Legal Assistant, Morrison & Foerster, LLP (Labor & Employment Group)

Police Officer

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Science, Organizational Behavior (Honors)

University of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA

Paralegal Certificate (2X Recipient of Daniel O’Connor Scholarship Award)

St. Mary’s College, Moraga, CA

Law Enforcement Certification (Graduated First in Class)

State Law Enforcement Academy, Pierre, SD

PAST ACTIVITIES & AFFILIATIONS

Association of Workplace Investigators (AOWI)

Elected Trustee on Board of Education for Hayward Unified School District

Youth Leader, Boy Scouts of America

Volunteer missionary in South America

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