BARBARA L. DEANS
Memphis,TN
Summary
Persuasive expert analyzes complex legal issues, formulates legal arguments and provides sound advice on wide range of topics, both transactional and litigation. Adept at navigating legal systems, leveraging resources and communicating with clients. Thorough understanding of precedents and regulations.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Associate General Counsel
University of Memphis
03.2023 - Current
- Reduced potential liability exposure by conducting thorough internal investigations of complaints and disputes.
- Provided expert legal advice to administrative leadership, supporting informed decision making.
- Enhanced legal compliance by developing and implementing university policies and procedures.
- Conducted training and guidance on new and emerging legislation impacting higher education,
General Counsel
Memphis Housing Authority
08.2017 - 03.2023
- Managed legal matters for Memphis Housing Authority in federal and state courts
- Advised Chief Executive Officer, Board of Commissioners and all agency departments on MHA related legal matters
- Maintained all legal records, closing documents, legal instruments, board minutes and transcripts
- Prepared contracts, leases, petitions, MOUs, appeals, memoranda of law, and other legal related notices
- Provided advice regarding procurement issues – review requests for proposals and invitations for bid
- Handled non-routine matters such as customer service issues and recommended solutions or best practices to the CEO and staff
- Managed Protective Services staff, to ensure safety and security compliance with MHA owned property
- Met with tenants and property managers to address concerns, issues and policies relative to tenant and property matters
- Managed administrative cases, including resident and employee grievances, EEOC matters, Tennessee Human Rights Commission, Risk Management and Insurance Claims.
- Advised leadership on mixed-finance development projects
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to establish best practices for managing contractual obligations.
- Oversaw corporate governance matters including entity formation, maintenance, and dissolution activities for multiple subsidiaries.
Assistant Public Defender
Office of the Shelby County Public Defender
12.2013 - 08.2017
- Represented juveniles in delinquency hearings and transfer proceedings before the juvenile court in Tennessee
- Investigated all matters related to delinquency proceedings
- Drafted legal documents in support of efforts to defend clients
- Coordinated community treatment and rehabilitation resources in order to present mitigation options to the court
- Researched and reviewed applicable state and federal laws relevant to dependency, neglect and delinquency issues
- Frequently made presentations to other professionals regarding the practice of juvenile law in the state.
- Drafted well-reasoned motions resulting in dismissal or reduction of charges against clients.
- Mentored junior attorneys, fostering professional growth and increasing their effectiveness in the courtroom.
- Conducted thorough investigations for each case, resulting in more informed defense strategies and increased favorable outcomes.
Assistant General Counsel
Tennessee Department of Children's Services
05.2010 - 06.2013
- Represented the Department of Children's Services in all litigation relative to child dependency, neglect, custody and delinquency matters
- Attended all court hearings, child and family team meetings and depositions as they related to child and family litigation
- Drafted Orders and Proposed Findings and Conclusions of Law Briefs
- Advised clients as it related to working with parents and families as they work towards reunification
- Represented the Department in termination of parental rights trials in Juvenile, Circuit and Chancery Courts in Shelby County, TN
- Facilitated meetings between parents, families and community partners to address mental, physical and social needs of family groups.
Attorney
Deans Law Offices
08.2009 - 05.2010
- Maintained private practice handling bankruptcy filings, Juvenile Court and Child Custody proceedings
- Counseled clients on bankruptcy options and consequences
- Attended Creditors meetings, defending claims in opposition of certain bankruptcy plans
- Represented clients in real estate transactions, including real property closings, probate and tax defense matters.
Associate - Litigation
Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP
01.2006 - 01.2009
- Represented the City of Memphis in litigation related to Real Estate, Bankruptcy and anti-neglect cases
- Filed claims in Bankruptcy Court for the protection of assets on behalf of the City of Memphis
- Attended bankruptcy creditors meetings and hearings related to the bankruptcy process
- Conducted legal research and analysis relative to statutory trends in the field
- Drafted various practice related documents including motions, petitions, memoranda and training material for support staff
- Prepared and filed pleadings, motions and other legal documents in court proceedings.
HOPE VI Coordinator
Memphis Housing Authority
01.2004 - 01.2006
- Provided project management and oversight of mixed finance housing development project
- Provided support in adhering to federal & state housing regulations
- Managed the distribution of federal grant funds for the Uptown Redevelopment Project
- Reviewed and advised on all contractual agreements relative to the mixed finance developments
- Communicated all federal HUD benchmark requirements to stakeholders, developers and MHA management to ensure federal compliance with grant provisions
- Coordinated all construction and development project meetings to ensure development completion under the grant award timeline
- Created monthly reports and made presentations to public and private stakeholders regarding project completion
- Provided due diligence on all phases of the developmental grants including funding, pre-funding and phase closings
- Worked with community partners to effectively communicate relocation plans and strategies for residents.
Legal Administrator
City of Memphis – City Attorney's Office
09.1994 - 08.2000
- Managed 2-million-dollar fiscal budget
- Coordinated legislative support for City Division Directors
- Communicated state and federal legislative initiatives to government division directors
- Coordinated communications with city lobbyists, both state and federal
- Assisted legal team in implementation of disparity study recommendations
- Quality Assessment liaison – communicating and implementing quality controls in management
- Provided extensive legal support to Assistant & Deputy City Attorneys
- Managed contract review and contract management for City of Memphis Contracts
- Assisted City Claims department in claims review, subrogation processing and risk management
- Created and implemented written city tax sale procedure manual which was utilized to streamline delinquent tax collection process.
Education
Juris Doctor Degree -
Thurgood Marshall School of Law
Houston, TX05.2003
Bachelor of Arts, Professional Studies -
University of Memphis
Memphis, TN05.1996
Skills
- Legal Compliance
- Rule 31 ADR Mediator
- Litigation Experience
- Document Preparation
- Juvenile Law
- Policy Knowledge
- Higher Education Law
- Establishing Effective Relationships
Affiliations Memberships
- Crosstown Arts, LLC – Board President
- Intunity – Board Member
- Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. – Member
- National Bar Association, Ben F. Jones Chapter Past President
Honors Awards
- Dean's Award Best Oral Argument
- Thurgood Marshall Law Review
- Comment - “Barnett v. U. S. Airways – Did The Supreme Court Further Cloud Rather Than Clarify The Reasonable Accommodation Requirement Under The ADA?”- T. Marshall Law Review, Spring 2003
- Legal Research Assistant, Professor John C. Brittain – Paynter v. State, 290 A.D. 2d 95 (2001) (Amicus Curiae Brief)
Timeline
Associate General Counsel
University of Memphis
03.2023 - Current
General Counsel
Memphis Housing Authority
08.2017 - 03.2023
Assistant Public Defender
Office of the Shelby County Public Defender
12.2013 - 08.2017
Assistant General Counsel
Tennessee Department of Children's Services
05.2010 - 06.2013
Attorney
Deans Law Offices
08.2009 - 05.2010
Associate - Litigation
Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP
01.2006 - 01.2009
HOPE VI Coordinator
Memphis Housing Authority
01.2004 - 01.2006
Legal Administrator
City of Memphis – City Attorney's Office
09.1994 - 08.2000
Juris Doctor Degree -
Thurgood Marshall School of Law
Bachelor of Arts, Professional Studies -
University of Memphis
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