Gwendolyn Wiggins

Highly skilled legal professional with extensive experience in litigation, contract negotiation, and legal research. Known for strong focus on team collaboration and achieving results, adapting seamlessly to changing needs and priorities. Expertise in legal analysis, case strategy, and client advocacy, combined with excellent communication and problem-solving abilities. Reliable and results-driven, with proven track record of success in high-pressure environments.

Created and implement the City of Orlando's Civil Rights Wall of Fame program and planned the annual gala event for the program. The program hosted such guest as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s secretary Civil Rights Activist Willie Parl Mackey King who drafted his famous letter from the Birmingham County Jail, Civil Right Activist Joan Trumpauer Mulholland and youngest Freedom Rider arrested in 1961 Hezekiah Watkins.

Florida Bar (Number 118002)- Admitted September 2015

Florida Supreme Court Certified County Mediator

Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator

Florida Real Estate Agent (SL3647242)

EEO Investigations (EEOC Training Institute)

Fair Housing Investigator 5-week Course (National Fair Housing Academy)

• Florida Admitted Attorney, Gwendolyn A. Wiggins Attorney at Law, PLLC, Orlando, Florida, 2015-10-01, Practice in the areas of Employment Law, Practice in the area of Fair Housing Law, Practice in the area of Wills and Probate, Practice in the area of Family Law, Practice in the area of Contract Law, Practice in the area of IDEA Law, Provide mediation services (Florida Supreme Court Certified County and Family Law Mediator), Facilitate EEO and Fair Housing Law training and consulting
• Attorney, Shield Law Group, LLC, Remote, 2022-08-01, 2022-12-31, Litigate and resolve first-party property claims, Manage and conduct discovery including deposition, expert witness examinations and evidence review, Negotiate settlements, Draft motions and other pleadings, Hearing appearances, Team lead attorney, Provide consultation to HR on employment issues including discipline & terminations
• Hearing Representative, New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE), Remote, 2022-03-28, 2023-01-31, Managed a high-volume caseload of over 100 special education claims, Litigated complex education claims involving legal precedents, policy implications, or financial impact, Appeared before Impartial Hearing Officers (IHO) on behalf of NYCDOE, Interviewed DOE employees/witness prep for hearings, Drafted and reviewed necessary filings, Drafted hearing disclosures for hearings on the merits and pendency hearings, Drafted closing briefs, Communicated with opposing counsel/advocate and IHOs
• Human Relations Manager/Human Relations Official, City of Orlando/Office of Human Relations (FEPA & FHAP Office), Orlando, Florida, 2016-06-01, 2022-01-31, Liaison between City and EEOC District Office and HUD Regional Office, HUD and EEOC contract/grant compliance, negotiation, and review, Oversight and review of EEOC & HUD Amendments, MOUs, and Contracts, Provided technical guidance to staff on intake and investigative procedures for Public Accommodation, EEOC and HUD cases, Discrimination investigations, Facilitated EEOC mediations and HUD conciliations, Performed compliance of public accommodation, employment and housing discrimination investigations, Made final decision/ determination in discrimination cases based on my compliance review of investigator’s investigation/ recommended finding, Drafted final determinations and closure documents, Drafted negotiated settlements, Represented/defended investigation determinations at appeal hearings before the appeal board, Performed outreach and training for housing providers, employers and the general public, Oversaw the day-to-day operations of the Office of Human Relations, Developed and revised departmental policies and procedures, Development and oversight of departmental budget, Evaluated job performance of subordinates, Created and implemented the Civil Rights Wall of Fame program and annual event
• CEO/President, Mediation and Dispute Resolution Facilitation Services, Orlando, Florida, 2010-06-01, 2015-09-30, Provided mediation services, Provided EEO and Diversity Training, Provided EEO Consulting
• Assistant to Director/Human Relations Official, City of Orlando/Office of Human Relations (FEPA & FHAP Office), Orlando, Florida, 2006-03-01, 2010-07-31, Supervised investigative, intake and clerical staff, Facilitated mediations for EEOC cases, Provided technical guidance to staff on intake and investigative procedures for EEOC and HUD cases, Provided compliance for closure of EEOC and HUD cases, Developed and revised departmental policies and procedures, Prepared quarterly and annual performance reports, Prepared departmental budget, Monitored and approved expenditures, Evaluated job performance of subordinates, Presentations and trainings on EEOC laws, Facilitated internal and external training programs, Acted as second in command to the Director, Liaison between City and EEO and HUD Regional Offices, Monitored EEO and HUD contract compliance and review
• Paralegal, City of Orlando/Office of Legal Affairs, Orlando, Florida, 2000-05-01, 2006-03-31, Performed Legislation tracking, Assisted with risk management cases, Provided trial preparation assistance, Coordinated collection and summarization of liability claim information, Contacted and interviewed witnesses, Drafted pleadings and legal documents, Researched and interpreted laws and ordinances, Responded to public records requests, Litigation document review
• Legal Assistant, City of Kissimmee/City Attorney's Office, Kissimmee, Florida, 1991-06-01, 2000-04-30, Drafted contracts, ordinances, resolutions, agreements and pleadings, Coordinated processing of forfeiture cases, Prepared claims of liens and satisfactions of liens, Prepared the annual budget and monitored expenditures, Monitored and coordinated Code of Ordinance updates, Performed legal research, Coordinated meetings, hearings and other legal proceedings

• Adjunct Professor, Strayer University, Maitland, Florida, April 2007- January 2020, Taught various business and legal courses (online and on campus), Student advising
• Adjunct Professor, Warner University, Lake Wales, Florida, January 2003- December 2006, Taught various business courses, Developed syllabus, quizzes and exams

• Florida Bar, 118002, 2015-09-01
• Florida Supreme Court Certified County Mediator
• Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator
• EEO Investigations (EEOC Training Institute)
• Fair Housing Investigator 5-week Course (National Fair Housing Academy)