Doajo Hicks
Phoenix,AZ
Summary
Professional General Counsel with proven history of providing expert legal advice and representation for corporations. Committed to advocating for clients and providing sound legal advice. Build trusting, long-term relationships through developing rapport and providing thorough and honest communication on legal matters.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Vice President & General Counsel
Strongmind Inc. & Verano Learning Partners Inc
10.2022 - Current
- Oversees Office of General Counsel, human resource, compliance and business risk departments for Strongmind's United States and Foreign offices.
- Developed and implemented new strategies and policies in collaboration with executive partners to establish and achieve long-term business objectives, providing strong and sustainable organizational leadership.
- Research and interpret laws, rulings and regulations to advised on business and legal transactions.
- Drafted, reviewed and negotiated contracts and other legal documents.
- Negotiated settlements of disputes and litigation.
- Researched and interpreted laws, rulings and regulations to advise CEO on business and legal transactions.
- Developed strategies and arguments for hearings, trials and appeals.
- Develop and maintained compliance database, tracking all compliance activities and documents.
- Respond to employee inquiries regarding compliance regulations and procedures.
General Counsel & Chief Human Resource Officer
University Of La Verne
09.2019 - 10.2022
- Oversaw Office Human Resources, Office of Employee Civil Rights, Office of Title IX, and Compliance and Risk Department.
- Oversaw compliance program.
- Manage all litigation matters.
- Develop various strategic visions.
- Engage in senior-level meetings to communicate legal strategy, provide legal updates, and propose new endeavors to ensure institutional success.
- Implement policies, as well as manage compliance and risk-management assessments.
- Coordinated and collaborated with Associate General Counsels by working together on important legal issues.
- Handled complex legal issues using sound judgment, integrity, business acumen, and decisiveness.
- Monitored new legislation and regulatory changes.
General Counsel
Utah Tech University
02.2016 - 10.2019
- Department, Office of Civil Rights, Office of Title IX, Office of Compliance and Risk Management, and Office of Public Safety and Police Department.
- Established effective compliance and risk programs.
- Oversaw University Medical Clinics HIPPA and Medical billing compliance.
- Oversaw all litigation matters.
- Participate in Board meetings and Faculty Senate Committee to communicate legal strategy, provide legal updates, and propose new endeavors to ensure university progress.
- Collaborate with President and Senior management with implementing and executing institutional-wide strategic plan.
- Led complex and pivotal legal work in a fast-paced environment.
- Handled complex legal issues using sound judgment, integrity, business acumen, and decisiveness.
Deputy General Counsel
Cuyahoga Community College
08.2013 - 02.2016
- Arbitrated employment matters and negotiated College's four Collective Bargaining Unit Agreements
- Represented College in all litigation matters, and managed all external counsel.
- Served as a Hearing Officer.
- Oversaw college-wide compliance.
- Advised Senior Executives and Board of Trustees on all legal matters.
- Conducted investigations and appeals
- Coordinated compliance and accreditation audit for 93 health-science programs
- Served as liaison with accrediting agencies.
Associate General Counsel & Compliance Officer
Sisters Of Charity Health System
01.2010 - 01.2013
- Drafted, reviewed and negotiated contracts and other legal documents.
- Represented Health System and its subsidiaries in civil litigation, criminal proceedings and appeals in state and federal courts.
- Researched and interpreted laws, rulings and regulations to advise clients on business and legal transactions.
- Negotiated settlements of disputes and litigation.
- Developed legal strategies to protect Health System's interests and resolve disputes.
- Identified, investigated and documented compliance violations and recommended corrective measures.
- Responded to employee inquiries regarding compliance regulations and procedures.
Staff Attorney
Cleveland Municipal Court
01.2009 - 01.2010
- Managed over 50 cases per month.
- Performed numerous mediations.
- Conducted Case Management Conferences.
- Drafted Judicial Orders, legal opinions, and memorandums.
- Liaised with State Attorney General's Office and federal agencies.
- Successfully mediated hundreds of cases.
- Successfully assisted with prosecution of criminal cases.
State Certified Officer
Salt, Federal
01.2000 - 01.2004
- Enforced federal and state laws.
- Conducted investigations involving criminal and civil matters and represented government in asset-seizure hearings.
- Testified in federal and state courts, as well as grand juries.
- Presented cases to U.S Attorney and State Prosecutor.
- Created joint task forces with federal and state departments.
- Assisted in creating an effective Community Action Team.
- Successfully wrote and received federal grant funding for department equipment and officers.
- Created training and education program for officer advancement
- Police Cross Recipient.
- First Pat Tillman Courage Award recipient for being shot in the line of duty.
- Successfully prosecuted federal and state cases.
Medical Administrator
United States Coast Guard
01.1998 - 11.2000
- Administrated daily operations of Coast Guard Medical Clinics
- Worked with physician practices, oversaw personnel, budgeting, and billing
- Created physician networks and healthcare agreements, capital equipment, outlays, planning, and patient flow
- Coordinated actions of all departments and ensured uniform functionality
- Managed and operated three Coast Guard medical units
- Assisted with Coast Guard-wide policies and procedures for healthcare
- Effectively created healthcare provider agreements for Coastguardsmen
- Effectively reduced Coast Guard-wide healthcare expenditure.
Education
Master of Laws -
University of Oklahoma, College of Law
Norman, OKJ.D - Law
CSU- Cleveland Marshall College of Law
Cleveland, OHMaster of Science Degree - Operations Management
Arizona State University
Tempe, AZBachelor of Science - Operations Management
Arizona State University
Tempe, AZSkills
- Corporate and business Law
- Risk and Mitigation Analysis
- Litigation experience
- Civil Law
- Criminal Law
- Contract Negotiation
- Compliance Reviews
- State and Federal Regulations
- Labor Disputes
- Employment Rights
- Advising Employers
- Complaint Management
Affiliations
American Bar Association, National Association of College and University Attorneys, Arizona Bar License, Ohio Bar License.
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Timeline
Senior Vice President & General Counsel
Strongmind Inc. & Verano Learning Partners Inc
10.2022 - Current
General Counsel & Chief Human Resource Officer
University Of La Verne
09.2019 - 10.2022
General Counsel
Utah Tech University
02.2016 - 10.2019
Deputy General Counsel
Cuyahoga Community College
08.2013 - 02.2016
Associate General Counsel & Compliance Officer
Sisters Of Charity Health System
01.2010 - 01.2013
Staff Attorney
Cleveland Municipal Court
01.2009 - 01.2010
State Certified Officer
Salt, Federal
01.2000 - 01.2004
Medical Administrator
United States Coast Guard
01.1998 - 11.2000
Master of Laws -
University of Oklahoma, College of Law
J.D - Law
CSU- Cleveland Marshall College of Law
Master of Science Degree - Operations Management
Arizona State University
Bachelor of Science - Operations Management
Arizona State University
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