Mediator Resume

Sopha Mediation LLC - Employment Attorney Mediator

Employment Attorney Mediator, Sopha Mediation LLC, 2016-Present; Chief Counsel, Human Resources, Harley-Davidson, Inc., 2001-2016; Attorney, Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren S.C., 1999-2001; Attorney, Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg LLP, 1998-1999; Attorney, Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP, 1996-1998. Adjunct Professor, Marquette Law School, 2017-Present; Adjunct Professor, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 2017-Present.

Over 30 years of experience acting as outside counsel, inside counsel and as a full-time employment attorney mediator. Prior to opening Sopha Mediation in 2016, spent 15 years in Legal and Human Resources leadership roles at Fortune 500 Company Harley-Davidson, Inc. As Chief Counsel, Human Resources for Harley-Davidson, provided primary direction and guidance on all HR-related legal issues, developed and implemented a Global HR Compliance program, and led a team of HR professionals responsible for providing day-to-day HR support. Advised on and conducted hundreds of investigations, and crafted resolutions to countless disputes ranging from informal complaints to administrative charges and state and federal litigation.  Before Harley-Davidson, was an attorney at law firms in Madison and Chicago. Adjunct Professor at Marquette Law School teaching law students how to effectively advocate for their clients in “Mediation Advocacy” and "Negotiation" workshops. Adjunct Professor at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee’s School of Continuing Education teaching HR professionals on conducting investigations and employment law basics.

Has mediated more than 200 disputes. Combines legal experience with a passion to help parties find resolutions to disputes and litigation through mediation. Over 25 years of experience crafting resolutions to hundreds of disputes ranging from informal complaints to administrative charges and state and federal litigation. From 2017 - present, mediator for Wisconsin’s Special Education Mediation System (WSEMS) helping parents and schools work together to resolve disputes about special education.

Experience with employment issues ranging from informal complaints to administrative charges and state and federal litigation including various discrimination, harassment, disability and leave issues, retaliation, wage and hour claims, and other compensation and employment contract claims. Issues handled include: discrimination and harassment claims under statutes such as Title VII, Sections 1983 and 1981; claims based on protected statuses such as race, color, age, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, religion, veteran status, citizenship, pregnancy, etc.; claims of disability and failure to accommodate under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Family and Medical leave (FMLA) and other leave of absence claims; claims of retaliation and whistleblowing; compensation claims under Equal Pay Act (EPA) and ERISA; Wage and Hour and Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) class action and individual claims; claims relating to promotion, demotion and involuntary terminations; breach of contract claims such as executive disputes, confidentiality agreements, restrictive covenants and breach of trade secrets and other employment-related claims such as defamation, negligence, intentional infliction of emotional distress, constructive discharge, invasion of privacy and workplace claims such as FCRA, HIPAA, GINA, etc.

Brings employment law experience and a practical, real-life perspective to the table that is unique among other mediators in the field. Has a naturally calm and non-judgmental, yet rational and practical, demeanor which allows for building trust with parties and counsel. Uses a customized approach that includes preparation, exchange of key information and mediator phone calls with counsel to ensure that the mediation session is efficient and effective. Mediation session is typically spent talking to the parties separately in order to understand and appreciate the parties’ perspectives. Uses 25 plus years of practical employment law experience to help the parties see the matter from a different perspective, to more accurately evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of legal and factual claims and to fully appreciate the consequences of a failure to resolve. Active party participation is encouraged to increase the likelihood of resolution and a more durable agreement. If an agreement is not reached during the mediation session, will follow-up with counsel to continue to explore whether a resolution can be reached.

Conducts mediations virtually (on the Zoom platform) and in-person.

University of Wisconsin Law School (JD, cum laude - 1996); University of Wisconsin (BBA, with distinction - 1993).

Admitted to the Bar: Wisconsin (1996), Illinois (1996-inactive); U.S. District Court: Eastern (2001) Western (2001) Districts Wisconsin. Senior Certified HR Professional (SHRM-SCP).

National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals (NADN); Association of Attorney-Mediators (AAM); Wisconsin Special Education Mediation System (WSEMS) Mediation Panel; Wisconsin State Bar, Ex-President of Labor and Employment Section and current Board Member, Dispute Resolution Section; Milwaukee Bar Association (MBA), Co-Chair Labor and Employment Section; American Bar Association (ABA); Eastern District of Wisconsin Bar Association (EDWBA); Association of Women Lawyers (AWL); Wisconsin Association of Mediators (WAM); Labor and Employment Relations Association (LERA); Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM).

Speaking Engagements: The Strategic Use of Mediation to Resolve Employment Disputes: A Fresh Perspective from Chief Counsel – Human Resources for Harley-Davidson Turned Mediator; When Attorney Statements Raise Legal or Ethical Obligations for Mediators; Leading a Horse to Water: Techniques to Get the Most Difficult Cases (and Clients) to the Mediation Table and to Settle Once They Get There; Labor and Employment Mediation: The Nuts and Bolts of Presenting an Effective Case; Navigating HR Myths and Landmines; #It was Just a Tweet! Navigating Social Media Landmines in the Workplace; FLSA Overtime Rule: What You Need to Know. Publications: To Mediate or Not? A Fresh Perspective Look Beyond the Law; You Can Mediate That! A Fresh Perspective on Employment Mediation; Are Mediation Term Sheets Final. Binding Agreements?

No charge for travel within 60 miles from Pewaukee, WI. Travel beyond 60 miles handled on a case-by-case basis.

Hourly Rate: $450.00 Daily Rate: Not provided Study Rate: $450.00/hr Cancellation: Not provided Cancellation Period: Not provided Comment: Travel time less than three hours total – no charge for time or expenses. Travel beyond three hours to be agreed to at time of booking.

English

United States of America

Pewaukee, Wisconsin