Attorney at Law

KIMKEA L. HARRIS, ATTORNEY AT LAW

**** *** ****** ****** **** • Memphis, Tennessee 38128 • 901-***-****

*******@*****.***

PROFESSIONAL OBJECTIVE

Labor Relations Management • Corporate Attorney

Results-oriented professional combines extensive labor relations and experience in administrative law to create a civil, harmonious environment. An effective communicator; works well with all levels of people. Organized, detailed, and thorough, can accommodate a demanding environment. Exceptional problem-solving skills; analytical but creative in resolution. Astute in identifying areas in need of improvement, with the vision to develop and implement successful action plans. Both flexible and versatile, a well-rounded performer committed to continued excellence.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Labor Relations

• Administrative Law

• Strong Planning Skills • Time Management Skills

• Employer/Employee Liaison

• High Pressure Environment • Union Experience

• Mediation Skills

• High Integrity

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

JOHNSON & BROWN, P.C. - Memphis, Tennessee 2009 – Present

Attorney

• Primary focus is to manage a general practice with emphasis in litigation, specifically labor, employment law, administrative law, family law, special education, business law, and criminal defense.

MEMPHIS CITY SCHOOLS – Memphis, Tennessee 2004 – 2009

Labor Relations Coordinator (2007 – 2009)

• Chief Negotiator for seven (7) formal labor agreements which covered over 14,000 employees, ranging from hourly employees, skilled craftsman, and professionals.

• Responsible for contract administration which included contract interpretation, contract compliance, contract practice and Supervisor training.

• Managed grievances procedures at all levels for over 17,000 employees, both covered and uncovered by a collective bargaining agreement.

• Successfully served as representative or legal counsel in all employee related arbitrations, tenure hearings, and mediations.

• Operated as in-house legal counsel to Human Resources staff in relation to interpreting and implementing ADA, FMLA, FLSA and conformity with an array of state and federal employment, and labor laws.

• Managed a staff of three (3) Labor Relation Specialists and Administrators.

Key Accomplishments:

Maintained excellent relations with five (5) individual unions.

Successfully negotiated collective bargaining agreements with each union within budget constraints.

Skilled in interpreting contracts for all levels of Management to comply with contracts, ensuring there was no contract violation.

Successfully represented the Employer in mediation, tenure hearings, and arbitration.

Implemented procedures that put Memphis City Schools in conformity with ADA, FMLA, and FLSA.

Processed grievances for 17,000 employees after making procedures more legally sound.

KIMKEA L. HARRIS, ATTORNEY AT LAW – PAGE 2

Labor Relations Administrator (2004 – 2007)

• Acted as 2nd chair for seven (7) collective bargaining agreements which covered over 14,000 employees.

• Implemented, interpreted, and trained Supervisors as it related to the formal contract agreements.

• Investigated and administered employee discipline for over 17,000 employees in conformity with contract language, state, and federal laws.

• Conducted investigations and responded to internal and external EEO complaints.

Key Accomplishments:

Provided oversight during the organization, recognition and formation of three (3) new collective bargaining agreements with four (4) employee units.

Devised and implemented SOP’s for conducting work place investigations, cooperation with law enforcement and state agencies, tenure hearings, non-tenure hearings, and arbitration.

Developed training modules for supervisory and non-supervisory employees on Title VII, Title IX, and an array of employee-related concerns.

Successfully fostered a cooperative, informative, and mutually beneficial relationship with union representatives.

Participated in drafting Employer friendly legislation.

Managed all of the District’s unemployment claims.

Promoted to Labor Relations Coordinator.

CITY OF MEMPHIS ATTORNEY’S OFFICE – Memphis, Tennessee 2002 - 2004

Assistant City Attorney

• Successfully handled a variety of litigation cases including state court cases, federal Section 1983 litigation, and administrative (civil service) matters.

• Also served as 2nd chair for multiple contract negotiations with the largest municipal collective bargaining unit – AFSCME.

• Accurately provided legal advice to multiple city divisions on different legal issues.

SHELBY COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE – Memphis, Tennessee 1999 – 2002

Assistant District Attorney

• Prosecuted misdemeanors and felony cases in General Sessions Criminal Court, Juvenile Court, & Criminal Court.

• Served as advising and review Attorney to the Memphis Police Department for sex crimes and as a member of the Violent Crimes Prosecution Unit (VCPU).

Key Accomplishments:

Created the Truancy Assessment Center (TAC) designed to curtail student truancy and hold parents criminally responsible.

Coordinated a ten-member (10) partnership of local agencies and government offices to provide community service assistance to low income public school students.

EDUCATION

WASHINGTON AND LEE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW – Lexington, Virginia

Juris Doctorate

Honors and Activities: Washington and Lee University Law Merit Scholar, Race & Ethnic Ancestry Law Digest (R.E.A.L.) - Research Editor, Alderson Legal Clinic, Black Law Student’s Association, Law Fellows.

FISK UNIVERSITY – Nashville, Tennessee

Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, Summa cum Laude

Honors and Activities: Phi Beta Kappa, Pi Sigma Alpha, Honors in Political Science, Mortar Board, Who’s Who Among College Students, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. – Vice-President.

KIMKEA L. HARRIS, ATTORNEY AT LAW – PAGE 3

LICENSE & PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

• Tennessee Law License

• Labor Relations Professional Association

• Tennessee Bar Association

• Tennessee School Board Attorney Association

• The Leo Bearman Sr. American Inn of Courts

• National Bar Association – Ben F. Jones Chapter

AREAS OF PRACTICE

• Labor Relations

• Employment Law

• Administrative Law

• Family Law

• Contract Law

• Probate Law

• Federal Court Practice

• Criminal Law (Prosecutor and Defense Attorney)

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