Human Resources Management

MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONAL

A highly astute, analytical, business-savvy and success-driven J.D. Executive offering solid credentials, with over 20+ years of HUMAN RESOURCES, LEGAL, BUSINESS OPERATIONS AND FISCAL MANAGEMENT experience.

Expert knowledge of legal principles and their application. Thorough understanding of labor issues, contracts/agreements, regulatory requirements, grievance prevention and resolution and staff development. Ensures compliance with all Federal, State and Local Employment Laws.

Superior analytical, writing, speaking and advocacy skills with the ability to analyze complex problems, determine the facts, create enterprise-wide solutions and implement strategic plans to direct corporations toward fulfillment of their vision to success.

A Strategic business partner and catalyst for innovative initiatives that address today’s business challenges of attaining revenue goals, controlling expenses, satisfying customers, and attracting/retaining talent while achieving business and profitability objectives.

Outstanding communicator, with aptitude for bridging cultures, motivating employees & influencing stakeholders. Strong relationship builder, effectively collaborating with management, colleagues & vendors. Ability to create and execute training, coaching and counseling programs for executives, managers and supervisors.

Human Resource Management

HR Policy Design & Administration

Risk Management/Avoidance/Mitigation

Mediation & Problem Solving

Employee Training and Development

Business & Operations Management

Legal Analysis/ Contracts/ Negotiations

Labor Law & Regulations Compliance

Corporate Safety & Security

Union Negotiations & Mediations

Financial and Strategic Planning

Non-Profit Management

Profit & Loss Administration

Budget & Finance Development

Compensation & Benefits Design

Manager, Business and Finance

Oak Ridge Missionary Baptist Church May, 2009 – February, 2014

Senior Business and Finance Manager for 2,000+ membership congregation. Developed and implemented appropriate policies and procedures to fully conform to current laws and regulations. Responsible for financial management, budgeting, contract negotiations, accounting, strategic planning, human resources management, regulatory compliance and project/program management. Supervised staff and guided the work of a 20 member Board of Directors. Provided direction and leadership toward the achievement of the organization’s philosophy, mission, strategy, and its goals and objectives.

Transformed Human Resources from an administrative role to a strategic partner by employing a shared mind-set and accountability to key performance indicators such as work positions, hiring, rewards and recognition, performance development and appraisal system, career and succession planning and employee development.

Researched, analyzed and ensured legal compliance with local, state and federal laws and regulations. Interpreted, applied and explained laws and regulations governing human resources program. Drafted and negotiated contracts and related documents. Ensured all contractual terms and conditions complied with standard or approved business practices, corporate legal and risk management requirements and with applicable laws and regulations.

Wrote and implemented all policies and procedures for the organization and managed the COBRA, FMLA, ADA, and workers’ compensation programs. Provided ongoing counsel regarding employee relations matters including performance management, progressive discipline, performance problems, grievance and dispute resolution procedures and leave issues.

Drafted the entire employee handbook, job descriptions, document retention policies, drug-free workplace policies, information technology and computer usage policies, facilities usage and transportation policies. Revised outdated policies and added new policies and contracts to meet organizational goals and objectives.

Lynise Ratliff-Connor

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Manager, Business and Finance (Con’t)

Oak Ridge Missionary Baptist Church

Independently advised on the effectiveness of financial policies, procedures and guidelines and negotiated the dispute settlements involving payment and services. Developed financial and accounting structures including budget formulation, execution, the legislative process for accounting and reporting of obligations, financial analysis and presentation of procedures.

Maintained excellent ongoing relationships with city, county, state, federal and other non-governmental agencies to share information and resources and provide a network of support services. Assured that the organization’s mission, programs, products and services were consistently presented in strong, positive image to stakeholders.

Selected Accomplishments:

Led, negotiated and set stage to refinance commercial mortgage into new loan with lower interest rate by moving relationship to new bank resulting in a $1 Million savings to the corporation.

Identified, through an internal audit, undetected reimbursable expenses resulting in the immediate recovery of $10K.

Planned and administered Multi-Million dollar operating budget and kept expenditures within budget.

City of St. Joseph, Missouri

Temp. Assistant City Attorney

Elaine P. Dine/Spherion January, 2007- April, 2007

Served as Assistant City Attorney for the City of St. Joseph, Missouri. Handled the prosecution of all misdemeanor cases and civil appeals. Prosecuted violators for violations of City ordinances, which included traffic offenses charged in the City of St. Joseph. Reviewed police reports and determined criminal charges for arrest, secured additional information from law enforcement, formulated trial strategy, determined sentence sought, conducted plea negotiations, investigated case data and researched applicable case law.

Contract Attorney

Shook Hardy & Bacon and Stinson Morrison Hecker

Elaine P. Dine/Spherion January, 2006 -May, 2006

Specialized in high-volume, complex pharmaceutical, medical and business law cases. Employed by major law firms in contract and document review covering hundreds of thousands to millions of pages of discovery and privileged documents including pleadings, memoranda, email, and other work related documents. Utilized strong technical ability, as well as project management experience, to identify relevancy of the data to the case and performed quality assessment work of other attorneys prior to delivery of the report and findings to the client. Applied litigation protocols to successfully create and refine appropriate legal strategy for discovery, investigation, and handling trial and hearing of cases or matters. Researched and gathered data from discovery request including emails, mail and other communications. Gathered and organized data into analyses by using Amici and Summation ligation software.

Attorney and General Manager

The Connor Law Firm, LLC January, 2000 – April, 2007

Managed daily operations and overall aspects of administration of legal practice. Managed Human Resources Department operations including employee relations, staffing, payroll, benefits, workers compensation, unemployment, performance review procedures and safety. Prepared cases and provided counsel while rendering legal opinions in the areas of business and contract disputes, malpractice claims, general negligence tort claims, civil litigation matters, sexual harassment, family law matters and worker’s compensation claims which are characterized by complex statutes and regulations, absence of defined precedent and constitutional issues. Gathered research data to analyze law for oral and written motions. Defended and advocated on behalf of clients in state, municipal and federal courts.

Managed daily operations and overall aspects of administration of legal practice. Effective instructor noted for recognizing varied abilities and tailoring duties and training to the aptitude of team members. Mentored staff and related human factors to individual performance and growth. Maximized every training opportunity by providing in-depth training and utilized caring, hand-on leadership style to produce top quality teams with extremely high morale.

Conducted legal research, interpreted, applied and analyzed laws such as court decisions, local, state and federal statutes and regulations, and other legal points and authorities. Negotiated, drafted and reviewed client, vendor and other corporate contracts. Analyzed legal problems and applied legal principles and practices. Maintained constant familiarity with relevant and current case law and statutes, professional and ethical requirements and local court rules.

Lynise Ratliff-Connor

Attorney and General Manager (Con’t) Page 3

The Connor Law Firm, LLC

Recruited, trained and supervised associates & paralegals in all aspects of litigation and tracked staff members progress to ensure compliance with policies and procedures. Planned and assigned work based on staff skills and organizational priorities, set goals and devised action plans. Appraised performance, provided feedback for improvement, recognized achievers and provided disciplinary action as needed.

Established and maintained effective communication and working relationships and orally communicated complex information and concepts to persons of divergent socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds, presented persuasive arguments as an advocate in a clear and reasoned manner, interrogated and cross-examined witnesses in the courtroom.

Selected Accomplishments:

Successfully conducted litigation in a variety of high-profile cases including settlement of civil rights lawsuit against Kansas City, Missouri police department for violation of Plaintiff’s civil rights.

Handled lawsuits that involved million dollar claims resulting in complex, expert intensive litigation of issues.

Senior Partner

Brooks, Lovelace & Connor, LLC 1994 – 2000

Senior Partner in a private law firm. Performed a broad range of legal and firm management activities including Human Resource and Fiscal Management. Broad range of substantive experience acting as both defense counsel and plaintiff’s counsel, representative cases including business and contract disputes, automobile accidents, personal injury cases, malpractice matters, sexual harassment, negligence and worker’s compensation. Provided pro bono legal services to individuals unable to afford private legal counsel.

Firm served as General Counsel to the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (The Metro). Provided general advice and counsel to the unionized transportation facility, Management and the Board of Commissioners regarding policies and matters affecting the future of the agency. Guided management on legal aspects and evaluation of the Authority’s position in matters involving potential litigation. Conducted risk analysis of policies and procedures to determine identify, monitor, analyze and provide solutions to risk.

w Provided guidance and coaching to executives, management and supervisors on company policies, employment regulations, performance management and disciplinary corrective action.

Interpreted policy and applied federal and state laws to various employee-relations and other issues.

w Investigated allegations on issues of discrimination, sexual harassment, and unfair employment practices.

w Analyzed and recommended approval of, or changes to, policies and procedures to assure compliance with applicable State and Federal policies, procedures, regulations, laws, legal opinions and rules.

Ensured compliance with DOL, OSHA, ADA, HIPAA, FMLA, EEOC, and COBRA labor laws

Accountable for overall staffing, employee relations, compensation, organizational development, internal communications and all generalist functions of human resources. Provided the Firm with the best people talent available and positioned the Firm as the employer of choice. Established and maintained the processes and systems which enabled the Firm to fully leverage the skills and talents of each team member.

Responsible for strategy implementation and helping to create a unique people experience for each individual, while supporting Firm-wide values and working with the core competencies that measured and drove individual and Firm-wide success in the marketplace.

Trained, mentored and motivated Associates & Staff in all phases of cases, including initial intake, case reviews, litigation strategies, discovery and trial. Tracked staff members progress to ensure compliance with policies and procedures. Planned and assigned work based on staff skills and organizational priorities, set goals and devised action plans. Appraised performance, provided feedback for improvement, recognized achievers and provided disciplinary action as needed.

Drafted, reviewed and negotiated contracts and other documents and assessed the legal implications on behalf of clients. Interpreted and guided clients through the contractual risks and issues and suggested alternatives that led to optimal solutions. Communicated with clients, opposing counsel and others from a wide range of backgrounds including providing clear and persuasive analysis of complex statutes and regulations and their application to cases. Provided sound legal advice regarding litigation benefits, risks and strategy.

Selected Accomplishments:

Litigated civil rights lawsuit against school district for violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), statutory and constitutional rights of a disabled student.

Lynise Ratliff-Connor

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Corporate Board Chairman

Zion Grove Missionary Baptist Church January, 2000 – December, 2005

Overhauled entire organization to tighten focus, streamline operations and foster an atmosphere of empowerment and accountability. Elected to Board of Directors and promoted to serve as Board Chair to provide executive leadership to this 13 member Board and to transform operations, control costs and increase contributions. Managed total budgets of $3Million during board tenure. Managed and accounted for the overall physical and financial assets to ensure the effective and efficient use of funds and resources. Maintained and directed all areas of administration including Human Resources, Fiscal Management and Budget Preparation. Provided general counsel on matters of Corporate Governance, Policy Development, Strategic and Program Planning.

Provided counsel and guidance to board members, President and staff regarding policies, procedures, and state/federal governance compliance requirements.

Ensured compliance with federal, state, local laws, policies and procedures. Provided for proper documentation and governmental compliance of grants administered by the state and federal government.

Directed the continuous and stringent review of corporate expenditures, controlled costs & spending, reduced waste and instituted a policy of accountability. Responsible for all corporate personnel, financial and budget administration, including monthly financial reporting, forecasting, economic review of capital expenditures.

Developed standard operating procedures, performance appraisal processes, training programs, employee handbook and job descriptions. Led the Human Resources strategy and objectives that produced an employee-oriented, high performance culture that emphasized empowerment, quality, productivity and standards, goal attainment, and the recruitment and ongoing development of a superior workforce.

Sole Practitioner

Law Offices of Lynise Ratliff-Connor 1993 – 1994

Founded and single-handedly maintained successful litigation practice with emphasis on family Law practice, and related litigation. Litigated, mediated, arbitrated and collaborated on cases primarily involving divorce and litigation, complex custody litigation, pre-nuptial agreements, separation agreements, child support, alimony, property division and valuations, grandparent visitation and contempt/enforcement actions, modification actions and domestic violence matters. Also represented clients in civil & criminal defense, employment related matters, personal injury, medical malpractice and worker’s compensation. Oral advocacy and courtroom experience including successfully arguing cases before the court, administrative hearings, mediations and settlement negotiations. Writing experience included drafting of pleadings and motions such as summary judgment motions, motions to compel and for sanctions and motions to dismiss.

Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Child Support Division

Jackson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office 1990 - 1993

Represented the Division of Child Support Enforcement in Jackson County, Missouri in complex and sensitive civil and criminal litigation actions from pre-filing to post-judgment enforcement and collection activities. Worked to protect Missouri’s children by aggressively litigating to locate absent parents, determine paternity, establish and enforce medical and child support orders pursuant to state guidelines and secure payments to assist families in meeting the financial and medical needs of their children. Conducted legal research, analyzed, interpreted and applied laws, court decisions, local state and federal regulations and other legal authorities that govern the Division’s programs to determine impact upon legal operations of the Department. Identified Child Support Program issues to be addressed by legislation or rule/policy changes. Ensured that any new legislation was promptly and accurately implemented.

Participated in legislative and policy advocacy on local and state issues regarding child support resulting in streamlined efforts to name the biological father in every case, employer reporting of new hires to locate non-paying parents, Uniform Interstate child support laws, computerized state-wide collections and new penalties, such as drivers license revocations for parents who fail to pay support.

Juris Doctorate

University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Law, May, 1991

Bachelor of Science in Administration of Justice

University of Missouri – Kansas City, May, 1987

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