Risk & Crisis Management, Regulatory Compliance & Litigation Supervision

Analytical, performance focused general manager with over 20 years experience in claim litigation, workers’ compensation, disability, employment law, and human resource policy. Experienced in risk analysis, emergency response, coverage issues, regulatory compliance and aggressive cost saving contractual budgeting. Solid work ethic and superior organizational skills. Excels at delivering high quality work and managing a broad range of responsibilities in a fast paced environment.

SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY – SYRACUSE, NY

Associate Director of Claims, Risk Management & Regulatory Compliance

Campus Safety and Emergency Services 2013-June 2016

CLAIMS AND RISK MANAGEMENT

Efficiently and effectively manage the resolution of all general liability, property loss, workers’ compensation and disability claims.

Legally analyze and evaluate coverage, claims and lawsuits from multiple state jurisdictions.

Financially evaluate all claims for subrogation and indemnification.

Responsible for oversight of all workers’ compensation claims against the University from multiple jurisdictions, including injuries occurring overseas.

Coordinate the investigation/litigation of all assigned claims with outside counsel.

Properly account self-insured internal funding source with $27M reserve.

Direct primary and excess insurance carriers on aggressive settlement or litigation.

Plan, train, implement and have active role in University emergency response team.

Compile necessary data for accounting to Office of Budget & Accounting and Board of Trustees.

Maintain record of all employee injuries and incidents in compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration ("OSHA") regulations.

HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AND TRAINING

Provide educational seminars, on-boarding, and preside over interactive discussions with Human Resource Department to advance knowledge of labor and risk management issues.

Advise Human Resource Department of mandatory compliance with all state and federal labor laws, benefit rules and regulations, proper implementation of benefits, accurate claim documentation, wage verification and benefit payments.

Direct Human Resource Department investigations regarding University Code of Conduct issues.

Synchronize return to work actions with American with Disability Act (“ADA”) mandates.

Coordinate with Human Resource Department to resolve labor and employment disputes.

CROSS FUNCTIONAL LEADERSHIP AND COLLABORATION

Ensure efficient work performance by providing leadership, guidance and advice to following personnel:

-Office of General Counsel - litigation of non-workers’ compensation claims and assist in drafting University policy and procedures.

-Associate Director of Insurance - policy coverage and indemnification provisions.

-Office of Budget & Accounting - monitoring and forecasting expenses.

-Office of Environmental Health & Safety - issues of public safety, investigation/reporting.

-SU Abroad – emergency response to international events, safety and repatriation.

-Department of Public Safety - reporting and investigation of on campus injuries.

-Emergency Preparedness Committee – active participant in crisis management planning.

LAW OFFICE OF CHRISTOPHER RICHMOND - OSWEGO, NY 2004-2013

Owner: General Practice of Law, Special Counsel to Syracuse University.

WOOD & RICHMOND, LLP - NORTH SYRACUSE, NY 1999-2004

Managing Partner: Insurance and employer defense litigation, employment law.

WHYLAND & RICHMOND, LLP – SYRACUSE, NY 1992-1999

Partner: Workers’ compensation defense, employment law, and asbestos litigation.

PRIMO & CENTRA, PC – LIVERPOOL, NY 1991-1992

Litigation Attorney: Teamster Union panel, labor, employment and workers’ compensation.

MACKENZIE LAW FIRM – SYRACUSE, NY 1990-1991

Litigation Attorney: Workers’ compensation defense litigation firm, trial and appellate level.

NEXSEN PRUET – COLUMBIA, SC 1988-1990

Litigation Attorney: General insurance defense.

Juris Doctor, Duquesne University, School of Law – Pittsburgh, PA

Bachelor of Arts, University of South Carolina – Columbia, SC

Bar Admissions, New York (Active # 2345445), South Carolina and District of Columbia

California Self Insurance Administrator, June 2016

Officer, Board of Managers, New York State Self Insurers Association (resigned June 2016)

Member, New York State Bar Association

Member, Judicial Screening Committee (Oswego County Bar Association)

Treasurer & Secretary, Central New York Workers’ Compensation Bar Association

Vice Chairman, Zoning Board of Appeals, City of Oswego

Member, Fourth Judicial Department, Fifth Judicial District, Attorney Grievance Committee.

appointed by Appellate Division, Fourth Department, Rochester, New York, Honorable Henry J. Scudder, Presiding Justice. (resigned June 2016).

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