Gwendolyn Burns

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

Decatur, Georgia 30034

404-***-****

adx4ix@r.postjobfree.com

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

Highly accomplished, organized, and detailed manager with diverse legal and business experience. Knowledgeable in working in a fast-paced and high-visibility environment with all levels of government. Skilled in handling sensitive and controversial issues. Proven ability to logically and effectively analyze search materials, investigations, departmental metrics, and factual data. Outstanding ability to be concise, complete, logical, objective and persuasive in both written and oral communication. Resourceful individual with the ability to anticipate and evaluate all matters, as well as complete projects producing professional results while adhering to rigid deadlines. RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

City of Atlanta, Department of Law, Atlanta, Georgia Claims Special Advisor, March 2020 – present

Develops and provides training for staff; Supervises, directs, and evaluates assigned staff, assist and trouble-shoot issues.

Oversees and assists Claims Investigators and Administrators in resolving technically complex investigative/litigation claims.

Communicates with attorneys, directors, department managers, supervisors and city employees in strategizing, developing, and implementing more efficient ways to manage departmental resources through recommendations.

Serves as liaison by responding to general information inquiries concerning the claims process and procedure; Interacts with other City departments, governmental agencies, City Council members and the general public; Plans and organizes the daily routine for the Claims Division.

Establishes priorities for the completion of work in accordance with department needs; Attends required meetings, planning sessions and discussions.

Implements work activities in accordance with priorities and estimated schedules; Plans, prepares and supervise legislation for City Council approval and the Mayor’s approval.

Prepares special reports for the City Council and the City Attorney as necessary.

Prepares various reports such as statistical analysis and a monthly and annual activity reports.

Performs responses to Georgia Open Records Request along with other related duties as required. City of Atlanta, Department of Law, Atlanta, Georgia Claims Manager, May 2011 – March 2020

Supervises, directs, and evaluates assigned staff, handling employee concerns, problems, counseling, disciplining and completing employee performance appraisals;

Develops and provides training for staff; Recommends policy to generate cost savings for the Claims

Division investigations;

Investigates multifaceted investigative/litigation claims.

Communicates with injured/damaged claimants, physicians, insurance companies, attorneys, City

employees, supervisors, directors, commissioners’ witnesses, auto repair companies to assist and/or

provide information and to negotiate settlements;

Serves as liaison by responding to general information inquiries concerning the claims process and procedure; Interacts with other City departments, governmental agencies, City Council members and the general public; Plans and organizes the daily routine for the Claims Division;

Implements work activities in accordance with priorities and estimated schedules; Plans, prepares and supervise legislation for City Council approval and the Mayor’s approval;

Attend City Council, City Council Committee and other general meetings

Prepares special reports for the City Council and the City Attorney as necessary;

Assigns duties to staff as necessary and/or appropriate to meet the Claims Division’s needs supervise,

direct and evaluate assigned staff

Interviews and/or performs on-site visits with governmental agencies, other City departments, city employees, claimants and/or ascertain information;

Maintains accurately documented records of cases, including medical reports, estimates of repairs, correspondence, memoranda, statements, and newspapers articles;

Prepares various reports such as statistical analysis and a monthly and annual activity report;

Performs other related duties as required.

City of Atlanta, Department of Law, Atlanta, Georgia Claims Investigator, June 1997 – 2011

Provide investigative legal services relative to liability claims filed against the City of Atlanta;

Gather information, evidence and other discovery data associated with on-going investigations;

Perform legal research, interview city employees, officials, witnesses, serve subpoenas and conduct on-site inspections of damaged areas;

Prepare investigative reports, resolutions and ordinances for use by City Council and the Courts in determining settlement or denial of liability claims against the City;

Negotiate settlement with attorneys, claimants and forward recommendations for settlements and/or denial of claims to City Council for action;

Attend City Council, City Council Committee and other general meetings;

Supervise, direct and evaluate assigned staff;

Also file legal pleadings in various Courts.

Internal Investigator, April 2002 - October 2002

Investigate the affairs of the City which encompass all departments, boards, bureaus, commissions, institutions, authorities and other agencies within the City, including the conduct of any City official, employee, person, firm or corporation that has had or is presently associated with the City.

Interrogated City officials, employees and witnesses utilizing investigative techniques to obtain truthful information.

Prepared comprehensive investigative reports during and at the conclusion of each investigation.

Reviewed departmental policies and procedures and provided recommendations of appropriate disciplinary actions to be assessed against employees as well as suggested guidelines to improve office procedures and enforcement, in order to minimize the reoccurrence of inappropriate activity or behavior among employees.

Utilized diverse legal resource materials to assist in investigations. GWENDOLYN BURNS

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Legal Secretary, August 1995 - June 1997

Provided legal administrative assistance to three Attorneys.

Received, reviewed, routed and processed various forms, request and reports.

Generated routine correspondence, letters, memoranda and other documents.

Scheduled meetings and depositions.

Set up and maintained attorney filing system.

Assembled legal pleadings and exhibits for court filings.

Served as Backup Executive Assistant to the City Attorney. Finley & Associates, Attorneys at Law, Atlanta, Georgia Paralegal, January 1994 - August 1995

Supervised three legal assistants in personal injury and workers’ compensation cases.

Prepared answers to complaints, motions and discovery.

Interviewed clients, attended depositions, researched and drafted pleadings and briefs.

Assisted Attorneys in preparation of cases for trial.

Attended and provided support to Attorneys in trials. Office Manager, January 1994 - August 1995

Performed basic duties of office maintenance which included interviewing prospective employees, completing payroll, and purchasing office supplies.

Maintained office calendar, expense accounts and controlled petty cash as well.

Attended and provided support to Attorneys in trials. EDUCATION

School: The National Center for Paralegal Training, Atlanta, Georgia Certificate: Paralegal Certification, October 1993 (ABA Accredited) School: Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina Degree: Bachelor of Science, Forest Products, August 1988 Special Skills: Skilled in usage of Hansen 8 and Electronic Legislative Management Systems

(ELMS);

Computer proficient in many widely used programs including Microsoft Word, Windows 98, Excel, PowerPoint and Word Perfect;

Adept in utilizing Westlaw, Lexis, and other legal research sources. PROFESSIONAL LISCENSE

Active Georgia Insurance License: Property and Casualty, April 2013 PERSONAL

References: Available Upon Request

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