Human Resources Management

CORY A. KUHLENSCHMIDT Providing leadership and experience to engage employees and keep company business interests moving forward.

Evansville, IN - Cell: 812-***-**** - Email: *****************@*****.***

Experienced employment and labor law attorney who works with management, human resources professionals and other employees to identify and execute solutions to complex employee relations issues. An effective leader comfortable working in a team environment who excels at building relationships to fully understand and achieve company business goals. Passionate about providing proactive employment and labor law compliance, and providing effective responses to administrative charges, audits and investigations from federal agencies such as the U.S. Department of Labor, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, National Labor Relations Board, Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs and similar state agencies. Exceptional communicator who provides education, training and written updates about employment and labor law developments relevant to business operations.

Relevant Accomplishments/Experience

• Served on management negotiation team during extremely contentious collective bargaining to achieve favorable contract terms for mining operation in Southern Illinois

• Minimized risk and liability exposure by executing a timely and complex investigation of potential criminal conduct committed by executive management to fully advise company how to proceed

• Worked with human resources executives to prepare monthly employee education and engagement programs to improve employee work experiences resulting in lower department turnover

• Led analysis and implementation of wage and hour compliance changes to reduce payroll liability by 66% for low-level management support employees

• Provided effective wage and hour guidance to executive management eliminating overtime premium costs for driver/delivery business unit

• Served on management teams to prepare for labor arbitration hearing and assisted management during the hearing and post-hearing briefing process

• Successfully led management teams in responding/defending against numerous federal and state agency investigations and audits

Expertise That Creates Business Value

• Leadership

• Industry and Legal Risk Analysis

• Education/Training

• Relationship Development

• Problem-Solving/Execution

Prior Work Experience

Bamberger, Foreman, Oswald & Hahn, LLP January 2013 - Current

Evansville, Indiana

Attorney, Manufacturing & Distribution Section

Bowers, Harrison, LLP September 2001 - December 2012

Evansville, Indiana

Attorney, Employment and Litigation Sections

Advisory/Compliance - Counsel companies on employment and labor law compliance issues in various industries including manufacturing, health care, banking, and entertainment.

Routinely work with human resources professionals, company executives, and business owners to analyze and advise on employee medical leaves, disability accommodations, hiring, discipline and termination issues, wage and hour compliance, union avoidance, and other areas of risk minimization

Provide compliance assistance and legal updates regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act, Family and Medical Leave Act, Fair Labor Standards Act, Title VII, EEOC Enforcement Guidance, and the National Labor Relations Act

Represent companies in investigations by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and similar state agencies in Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois, and Missouri

Represent companies in wage and hour audits by the United States Department of Labor

Represent companies in employee wage claim investigations by Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois labor departments

Manage and conduct large-scale internal corporate investigations

Develop policies and procedures related to human resources functions, including criminal background checks, credit checks, drug testing, medical leaves, light duty, discrimination/harassment, social media, and employee accountability

Prepare and review employment contracts related to confidentiality, non-competition, and non-solicitation issues

Experience assisting companies with union contract negotiations, and representing companies in unfair labor practice investigations by the National Labor Relations Board

Prepare and present frequent seminar presentations and company training on employment and labor law topics including harassment/discrimination, disability accommodations, managing medical leaves, wage and hour compliance, union avoidance and other matters related to employee protections in the workplace

Author monthly newsletter for clients regarding recent developments in employment and labor law issues

Litigation/Arbitration - Defend companies in employment discrimination litigation, and defend companies and public employers in labor arbitration.

Defended cases alleging discrimination and retaliation under Title VII, the ADA, the FMLA, and the Age Discrimination and Employment Act in state or federal courts in Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois, and Tennessee

Managed defense of successful jury trial case alleging whistleblower retaliation in Tennessee state court

Participated in numerous depositions, hearings, and mediations

Assisted in successful defense of large scale employers in the manufacturing and coal mining industries, and local public employers in labor arbitration proceedings

ADMISSION TO PRACTICE

State of Indiana, 2001

Federal District Court, Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana, 2001

EDUCATION

T.C. Williams School of Law, J.D., 2001

Indiana University, B.A., 1998

SERVICE TO COMMUNITY

YMCA of Southwestern Indiana - Board Member and Human Resources Committee Member

Public Education Foundation - Board Member and Past President

Autism Evansville - Board Member and President RECENT SEMINARS AND SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

"Human Resources Law From Start to Finish" - NBI, Inc., October 2016

"Preparing for the DOL Final Overtime Rule" - Construction Financial Management Association, September 2016

“Fantasy Sports in the Workplace” - NBI, Inc., July 2016

"Preparing for the DOL Final Overtime Rule" - Warrick County Chamber of Commerce, June 2016

“Mental Disabilities and the ADA: Emerging Accommodation and Discipline Issues for Employers” - Southern Illinois Professional Management Association, April 2016

“EEOC Enforcement Update” - Evansville Area Human Resources Association, March 2016

“Employment Law Update in Indiana” - Lorman Education Services, March 2016

“Employment Law: 2015 Comprehensive Guide” - NBI, Inc., December 2015

“ADA, PDA & Light Duty” - Bamberger, Foreman, Oswald & Hahn, LLP, September 2015

“Navigating Unique Wage and Hour Issues” - Bamberger, Foreman, Oswald & Hahn, LLP, September 2015

“The Employer’s Guide to Disability Accommodations” - Bamberger, Foreman, Oswald & Hahn, LLP, April 2015

“How to Properly Conduct an Internal Investigation” - Evansville Area Human Resources Association, April 2015

“Employment Law Update: The ADA & Pregnancy Discrimination” - Indiana Civil Rights Commission and Evansville Bar Association, December 2014

“Supreme Court Term Review” - Evansville Area Human Resources Association, September 2014

“Health Care Reform for Employers: Now What?” - Lorman Education Services, March 2014

“Equal Employment Law Update” - Indiana Civil Rights Commission, February 2014

“Social Media in the Workplace” Southern Illinois Professional Management Association, April 2013

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