Attorney/Risk Management Director

CHRISTOPHER E. DENNIS

**** ******** **** • Clermont, Florida 34711 • *********@***.*** • 407-***-****

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

• Analytical, meticulous professional positioned to leverage legal background and business administration training to excel within corporate counsel/risk management role.

• Successfully represented employer/carriers in defense of workers' compensation claims, liability, and subrogation actions.

• Over 5 years of litigation experience from casualty claim inception through appellate process.

• Proactive and detail-oriented in identifying potential areas of risk/liability and in implementing solutions to mitigate exposure.

• Highly adept at utilizing training programs to educate all organizational levels in governing policies and regulations, potential exposure, and risk mitigation strategies.

• Thrive in challenging, fast-paced environments that require strong focus, superb negotiation/ mediation talents, and exemplary team-building skills.

• Skillful in strategic planning and implementation.

• Counseled clients on issues pertaining to regulatory compliance.

• Prepared and delivered well-received seminars on employers' rights under Florida's workers' compensation law.

• Participated in Annual Workers’ Compensation and Educational Conference in Orlando, FL for past 6 years

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Attorney 4/2007 - Present

RISSMAN, BARRETT, HURT, DONAHUE & MCLAIN, P.A., Orlando, Florida

• Diligently provide legal representation for employers and insurance companies in the areas of workers' compensation, liability defense, and subrogation.

• Evaluate diverse types of claims and exposures to assess employer risk and minimize exposure and expense on lawsuits and claims.

• Manage in excess of 100 actively litigated files at all times

• Generated billings in excess of $638,000 for period July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012

• Counsel clients on issues related to OSHA, FMLA, regulatory compliance, unemployment compensation and recommend method and procedures to mitigate potential exposure on claims.

• Formulate strategies to avoid or reduce loss after workplace incidents/accidents.

• Develop and implement return to work programs for employers.

• Draft pleadings and attend depositions, hearings, and trials.

• Coordinate and manage team of 3 paralegals

CHRISTOPHER E. DENNIS • PAGE 2

Volunteer Law Clerk/Certified Legal Intern, Predatory Lending Division 5/2000 – 10/2006

JACKSONVILLE AREA LEGAL AID, Jacksonville, Florida

• In consecutive roles, honed legal expertise in foreclosures, mortgages, and related consumer loan transactions.

• Participated in weekly intake and eligibility screening processes, advised clients regarding their legal rights and obligations, and provided referrals to governmental agencies.

• Worked closely with clients to ensure comprehensive execution of discovery processes.

• Drafted legal documentation to include complaints, motions, client and opposing counsel correspondence, and memoranda.

• Attended and contributed to weekly attorney meetings to review pending cases; partnered with state regulatory agencies to further investigation of non-compliant finance companies.

EDUCATION AND CREDENTIALS

Juris Doctor (12/2006)

FLORIDA COASTAL SCHOOL OF LAW – Jacksonville, Florida

Governor's Merit Scholarship; Book Award, Sales (Summer 2005); 1L Mentor and Tutor

Visiting Student, University of Florida Levin College of Law, Gainesville, FL

Bachelor of Business Administration (8/2004)

THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON – Arlington, Texas

Graduated Summa Cum Laude; Member of Beta Gamma Sigma, Alpha Chi and Golden Key; University Scholar; Member of The Honors College and recipient of numerous scholarships

Licensure

The Florida Bar (4/2007)

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