Human Resources Administrative Assistant
Resume:
LORI BERGER
** ******** ***** ~ Basking Ridge, New Jersey 07920
****@*********.***
____________________________________________________________________________
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SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
Rare Labor and Employment Law candidate with both law degree and experience
in Human Resources at a unionized Wall Street clearing organization.
Significant experience counseling private and public employers regarding
all aspects of labor and employment law; resolving EEO complaints filed
with state agencies; and managing litigation.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Project-Based Consultant 2008-
2009
Provided investigatory services to Board of Directors and CEO of bank
and public agency respectively. Investigated harassment and racial
discrimination claims. Interviewed witnesses; analyzed documents; drafted
final report regarding whether allegations were sustained; reported
results and recommendations for future action to officers. CEO requested
that I become agency's employment counsel.
VERIZON WIRELESS September 2004-March
2007
One Verizon Way, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920
Senior Attorney (Resigned for family reasons; offered part-time or
consulting work from VZW at time of resignation; declined.)
Counseled Human Resources clients regarding ADA, FMLA, FLSA, Title
VII, HIPAA and other federal and state employment laws. Advised
clients on a wide variety of employment related issues (e.g.
disability accommodation, performance management, discipline/warnings,
discrimination, retaliation, whistleblower claims, and compliance).
Resolved over 20 discrimination charges pending before the EEOC and
state human rights agencies. Reduced number of claims moving beyond
agency level to state and federal courts by early identification of
problematic cases. Worked closely with outside counsel to coordinate
litigation strategy in matters pending before federal and state
courts; provided liaison role between outside counsel and business
clients. Liaised with claims insurer regarding pending cases;
responded to coverage letters from insurer. Drafted, negotiated, and
interpreted business contracts (e.g., employment/severance, non-
solicitation, consulting, confidentiality, vendor, and business
agreements). Investigated internal compliance complaints.
FISHER & PHILLIPS June 2003-
September 2004
430 Mountain Avenue, Murray Hill, NJ 07974
Associate (Contracted to Verizon Wireless, a client, to cover for a
maternity leave from June 2004 to September 2004; while at VZW, applied for
open position and was hired.)
Counseled firm clients regarding ADA, FMLA, FLSA, Title VII, CEPA and
other federal and state employment laws. Drafted pleadings,
deposition outlines, discovery requests and responses, motions and
opposition papers, briefs, mediation and position statements, legal
memoranda, settlement agreements, non-compete agreements, and other
employment related contracts. Conducted FMLA training and researched
state and federal employment law.
JASINSKI & WILLIAMS February 2003-June 2003
Ten Park Place, Newark, NJ, 07102
Associate (Fisher offered me position prior to joining Jasinski but had to
withdraw when associate unexpectedly returned from maternity leave; in
June, 2003, vacancy materialized and Fisher offered me position. Left
Jasinski to join Fisher (then Collier, Jacob, & Mills).
Drafted trial, NLRB, and arbitration briefs; conducted labor and
employment law research; drafted legal memoranda, contracts and
settlement agreements; and pleadings.
GREENBAUM ROWE October 1998-August
1999
99 Wood Avenue South, Iselin, New Jersey 08830
Associate (Resigned for family reasons. Partner for whom worked informed
"You could be partner here".)
Counseled firm clients regarding federal and state employment law
(NJLAD, Title VII, Family Leave Act, FMLA, ADA, CEPA, FLSA); provided
advice regarding labor relations matters to municipality; drafted
trial, appellate, and arbitration briefs; represented municipality in
New Jersey Division of Civil Rights matters; drafted non-compete,
confidentiality, and settlement agreements; drafted employee
handbooks; researched state and federal employment law; drafted
pleadings and discovery requests; responded to discovery requests;
assisted in depositions; and drafted collective bargaining agreement
provisions.
LORI BERGER
43 Sentinel Drive ~ Basking Ridge, New Jersey 07920
****@*********.***
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THE DEPOSITORY TRUST & CLEARING CORPORATION (DTCC)
July 1988-October 1998
55 Water St., New York, New York, 10041
Assistant Counsel (resigned to move to Greenbaum Rowe, closer to home after
having infant.) January 1996 - October 1998
Counseled members of the corporation on ADA, FMLA, ERISA, Fair Credit
Reporting Act, Securities Act of 1933, Securities Exchange Act of
1934, and New York State Labor and Banking Law; acted as liaison
between business and outside
counsel on litigation matters; drafted position statements and
conducted investigations relating to discrimination claims filed with
the EEOC, NYSDHR and NYCCHR; drafted and submitted SEC regulatory
filings; assisted in due diligence during
merger; conducted sexual harassment investigations; reviewed QDROs;
updated human resources policies; drafted, negotiated, and interpreted
business contracts (e.g., employment/severance, non-solicitation,
consulting, confidentiality, vendor, and business agreements);
reviewed new legislation such as the USERRA to establish compliance
programs; and managed process of responding to and complying with
subpoenas.
Prior positions held within the Human Resources Department at DTCC:
Labor Relations Supervisor
November1990-January 1996
Labor Relations Senior Analyst
March 1990-November 1990
Labor Relations Analyst
July 1988-March 1990
Supervised Labor Relations group comprised of two Analysts, one
Assistant, and one Administrative Assistant; advised business clients
regarding Collective Bargaining Agreement ("CBA"), DTCC policies, ADA
and FMLA; drafted HR policies; interpreted and applied DTCC-"OPEIU"
CBA and DTCC personnel policies. Conducted Step Three grievance
meetings. Drafted answers to discrimination claims, position
statements and severance agreements; assisted in the preparation of
and attended over 15 arbitration hearings; drafted appellate brief
submitted to NYSDOL Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board; researched
issues involving FLSA and NYS Labor Law; mediated disputes between
management, shop stewards, and employees; and managed long-term
absence (disability and worker's compensation) monitoring program.
Developed and conducted training modules for line managers and
supervisors regarding progressive discipline, the grievance procedure
and DTCC policies; participated as a team member in the negotiation of
three contracts with Local 153 of OPEIU. Prepared Negotiation
Business Plan (including cost analysis of CBA, bargaining history,
surveys, and demographic analyses).
THE BUFFALO GENERAL HOSPITAL
Buffalo, New York November
1987-July 1988
Labor Relations Assistant
Provided contract and policy interpretation to line management;
facilitated Labor-Management Committee meetings; implemented automated
Labor Relations information systems; prepared for negotiations with
Communication Workers of America: predicted union demands by analysis
of grievances and conducted external and internal surveys; analyzed
and costed union demands; and volunteered in Surgical Unit recovery
room.
EDUCATION
SETON HALL UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW, Evening Division, Newark, New Jersey
Juris Doctor, May 1996
GPA: 3.459 Rank: 11/91
Admitted to the New Jersey and New York Bars
Student Bar Association Senator, September 1992-May 1995
CORNELL UNIVERSITY, Ithaca, New York
New York State School of Industrial and Labor Relations
Bachelor of Science
PUBLICATION
Tips On How To Prepare For Litigation And To Be An Effective Witness, L.
Berger & L. Thompson, HR Advisor, July/August 1997, Vol. 3, No.1.
References Available Upon Request
Contact this candidate