Catherine Christiansen
Barn/Equine Manager
Ukiah,CA
Summary
Goal-oriented Ranch Manager with 35+ years of leadership expertise starting as a laborer, became a licensed plumber, then a licensed attorney, practicing bankruptcy law, and now serving the equine communities legal issues and hands on equine management. Adept at maintaining necessary ranch documents and schedules and comprehensive worker training. Successful at designing procedures for efficient ranch organization. Semi-retired bankruptcy attorney and lifelong horse lover and owner.
Overview
42
42
years of professional experience
5
5
Certification
1
1
Professional License
Work History
Attorney
Self-employeed
06.1996 - Current
- Managed clients in need of chapter 7, 11 and 13 bankruptcy relief effectively by creating a 'next step manual' for clients, keeping organized records of case materials, and strict compliance with court procedures.
- Participated in mediation sessions leading to cost-effective resolutions without resorting to lengthy trial procedures.
- Drafted comprehensive legal documents such as pleadings, motions, briefs, contracts, wills, and trusts for various clients.
- Provided pro bono services to underrepresented populations within the community, ensuring access to quality legal representation for all individuals regardless of income level or background status.
- Improved client satisfaction rates by providing timely updates on case progress and addressing concerns promptly,
- Streamlined law firm processes for increased efficiency with the implementation of new legal software.
- Reviewed and analyzed pertinent state and federal laws and legal precedents.
- Analyzed legal documents and identified pertinent issues for clients.
- Minimized risk exposure through careful advice on business operations and strategic plans.
- Explained available courses of action and possible repercussions of cases to clients.
Volunteer
Free Rein Foundation
01.2022 - 02.2024
- Assisted with special events and programs.
- Maintained clean, neat, and operational facilities to serve program needs.
- Supported engaging, fun, and smooth-running shifts by helping with organization and planning.
- Used strong interpersonal communication skills to convey information to others.
- Communicated with staff members to stay informed about volunteer opportunities and events.
- Represented organization positively and professionally while providing community with much-needed services.
- Mentored new volunteers, fostering a supportive and inclusive team environment.
- Participated in volunteer orientations and training sessions to learn about organizational changes and mission updates.
- Promoted environmental awareness with educational workshops and hands-on activities with other volunteers.
- Completed daily domestic tasks in barns and equestrian centers to assist rescued horses in need.
- Facilitated communication between volunteers and staff members through regular updates via newsletters or social media platforms.
- Supported public relations efforts by representing the organization at various community events, building positive relationships with potential supporters.
- Approached issues proactively to best meet current and future community needs.
Instructor Legal Assistant/Paralegal Assistant
Platt College
01.2004 - 01.2007
- Promoted a positive learning environment by establishing clear expectations and maintaining consistent classroom management techniques.
- Tracked student progress, frequently checking in with struggling students and identifying root causes of problems.
- Boosted student performance by providing individualized support and targeted feedback.
- Initiated new learning methods, eliminating instructional gaps and improving comprehension.
- Promoted classroom safety, collaboration, and best practices.
- Tested and evaluated students on materials presented in workshops and classes.
- Applied various teaching aids to minimize learning gaps and instruct and motivate students.
- Increased student motivation by developing engaging lesson plans that catered to various learning styles.
- Increased student participation via engaging lectures and assignments.
- Assisted in curriculum development, ensuring alignment with state standards and best practices for effective instruction.
- Facilitated learning with creation of engaging written and oral assignments.
- Developed and clearly presented classroom rules, guidelines and objectives.
Owner
Horizon Mechanical
01.1986 - 09.1988
- Managed day-to-day business operations.
- Hired trained, and supervised staff to maintain high levels of productivity and customer satisfaction.
- Evaluated sales reports and financial statements to manage cash flow and develop techniques to improve business.
- Provided elite customer service by resolving escalated problems and calmly responding to shifting priorities.
- Fostered a positive work environment that motivated employees towards achieving their potential while contributing significantly towards overall company success.
- Maintained compliance with industry regulations through regular audits and updates of policies or procedures as needed.
- Implemented process improvement to shape organizational culture, optimize procedures for higher efficiency and help company evolve and grow.
- Tracked employee attendance and punctuality, addressing repeat problems quickly to prevent long-term habits.
Plumber
Apartment Plumbers
08.1982 - 12.1985
- Repaired plumbing systems, components, and equipment.
- Installed valves, hangers, supports, and flanges inside piping systems.
- Installed new piping systems in various types of buildings following local building codes and regulations.
- Performed regular maintenance on plumbing systems to prevent costly future repairs for customers.
- Measured, threaded, and cut materials to correct angles.
- Consistently met deadlines while maintaining high-quality craftsmanship throughout all stages of plumbing installations, repairs, or maintenance tasks.
- Selected type and size of piping required for each project.
- Independently worked on projects, while offering process coordination and cooperation with other teams.
- Complied with state plumbing codes throughout duration of each project.
- Collaborated with other trade professionals such as electricians and HVAC technicians during multi-faceted construction projects to ensure seamless integration of services.
- Filled pipe systems with water and air to determine location of leaks.
- Ensured safety compliance during all projects, adhering to strict industry regulations and guidelines.
- Streamlined inventory management, ensuring proper tools and materials were readily available for each job.
- Read blueprints to determine appropriate materials and procedures for each project.
- Completed projects within budget constraints by accurately estimating material costs and labor hours.
- Cut openings in structures to accommodate pipes and pipe fittings with [Tool] and [Tool].
- Operated drill motors, grinders, chop saws, hack saws, and burning torches to perform tasks.
- Set up appliances like water heaters, filters, and dishwashers with correct settings to maximize performance.
- Read and interpreted blueprints and schematics to determine locations, quantities, and sizes of materials required.
- Used clamps and brackets to attach pipes to walls, structures and fixtures.
- Cut and drilled holes in walls to permit passage of pipes.
- Fabricated piping pieces and components in line with design specifications for each system.
- Secured rising mains and boiler piping to structural supports in new construction and remodeling projects.
- Prepared budgets and estimated costs for potential work on piping systems.
Education
The SEEN Keystones - Equine Studies
03.2023
Horse Owner Skills Training - Common Emergency's - Equine
02.2023
J.D. - Law
12.1995
- Awarded Am Jur Bancroft-Whiteny Award for excellent achievement in the study of Community Property
Journeyman Plumber - Plumbing
08.1982
Skills
- Staff Supervision and Training
- Horse Care Expertise
- Equine Nutrition Knowledge
- Equine First Aid Training
- Equine Behavior Understanding
- Client Relationship Building
- Communication Interpersonal Skills
- Budgeting and financial management
- Safety Protocol Implementation
- Communication and Interpersonal Skills
Accomplishments
Equine Barn Care: Shift lead for shifts involving the feeding, grooming and care of the rescue/therapy horses for Free Rein Foundation. Involved in new volunteer training and mentoring. Participated in marketing for and the fundraising events. Showed up for extra volunteer pasture work days and helped with community outreach programs.
Treasurer for AAETT, American Association of Equine Therapist and Technicians, Attend regular board meetings, provide reports, track income and expenses, insure IRS compliance for Non-Profit Status.
Attorney, solo practitioner handling consumer bankruptcies 25+ years. Developed a case management system for the law office and a next step manual for clients. Pro Bono work through Christian Legal Society Clinics, Debtor Assistance Project and Public Counsel Law Service. Provided continuing education courses for other attorneys and tax practitioners.
Plumber, from laborer to Foreman, digging ditches to designing isometrics for plan check for new construction. All aspects from ground work to finish.
Affiliations
- AAETT, American Association Equine Therapists and Technicians, Executive Board Member and member
- Mendocino County Women's Bar Association
- United States District Court, Northern District of California
- United States District Court, Southern District of California
- United States District Court, Central District of California
- United States District Court, Eastern District of California
Certification
- Attorney and Counselor at Law License - June 3, 1996 - present
- California Certified Legal Specialist in Bankruptcy Law License - August, 2014 through December, 2021.
- CM/ECF Certification, United States Bankruptcy Court, Central District of California, December, 2007 to present
- Instructor in the area(s) of Legal Assistant/Paralegal at Platt College, Cerritos, CA - January, 2004 - January 2007
- Financial Management Teacher Training, by the Coalition for Consumer Bankruptcy Debtor Education, - December 2003
- Arbitrator in Lemon Law, Better Business Burear - March 1997
- PIPE Journeyman, Piping Industry Progress and Education Examination Board - May, 1985
- Journeyman Plumber, United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States and Canada - August, 1982
- Contractor's C36 License - December 1984 through June 1988.
Additional Information
Passed the bar the first time.
Languages
Spanish
Elementary
Timeline
Volunteer - Free Rein Foundation
01.2022 - 02.2024
Instructor Legal Assistant/Paralegal Assistant - Platt College
01.2004 - 01.2007
Attorney - Self-employeed
06.1996 - Current
Owner - Horizon Mechanical
01.1986 - 09.1988
Plumber - Apartment Plumbers
08.1982 - 12.1985
ARCH Foundation - The SEEN Keystones, Equine Studies
Fiona Academy - Horse Owner Skills Training - Common Emergency's, Equine
Western State University - College of Law - J.D., Law
California Apprenticeship Council - Journeyman Plumber, Plumbing
- Attorney and Counselor at Law License - June 3, 1996 - present
- California Certified Legal Specialist in Bankruptcy Law License - August, 2014 through December, 2021.
- CM/ECF Certification, United States Bankruptcy Court, Central District of California, December, 2007 to present
- Instructor in the area(s) of Legal Assistant/Paralegal at Platt College, Cerritos, CA - January, 2004 - January 2007
- Financial Management Teacher Training, by the Coalition for Consumer Bankruptcy Debtor Education, - December 2003
- Arbitrator in Lemon Law, Better Business Burear - March 1997
- PIPE Journeyman, Piping Industry Progress and Education Examination Board - May, 1985
- Journeyman Plumber, United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States and Canada - August, 1982
- Contractor's C36 License - December 1984 through June 1988.
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