Biographical Information

In May 2007 I joined CWH as a legal consultant, after 21 years of practice in the Office of the City Attorney in Omaha, Nebraska, where I specialized in all areas of Human Resources. Prior to working for the City I served as a clerk in the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska, and worked in private practice.

At CWH I will assist you in making employment decisions, or actually perform necessary personnel services. The most valuable legal advice is that which prevents problems before they arise. CWH's practice model relies heavily on avoiding litigation through anticipatory advice and training, saving our clients the cost and disruption of lawsuits by employees. I understand that employers need a quick response from attorneys who know how to solve problems, not just recite the law. The types of matters on which our team has regularly advised employers include:

• Managing the absent employee without violating the FMLA, ADA, or the myriad of other leave laws
• Hiring , promotion and placement
• Labor negotiations, labor disputes, and discipline
• EEOC charges
• Affirmative Action plans, and disputes
• Managing employee performance
• Implementing and enforcing drug and alcohol policies
• Developing lawful hiring and background screening processes
• Designing workplace violence prevention programs and managing incidents of violence or threatened violence,   including obtaining restraining orders or injunctions
• Drafting employment policies and employment manuals
• Compliance with FLSA overtime standards, including exempt classification issues
• Addressing budget shortfalls through personnel actions such as layoffs or use of contingent workers or retirees
• Conducting lawful and effective hiring processes
• Conducting workplace investigations
• Accommodating employee disabilities and religious beliefs
• Reviewing/drafting policies and procedures
• Evaluating classification and compensation plans 

However, should your company become embroiled in a dispute that results in litigation I can assist as a jury consultant, with all aspects of litigation, including the trial and management of lawsuits through the appeal process. Alternatively, I will actually conduct the litigation, including all pretrial and appeal matters.