KAREN M. GREAVES
Atlanta,Georgia
Summary
Forward-thinking professional bringing more than 20 years of experience working for fast-paced practices. Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities and willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet company goals.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
Practice Manager/Legal Project Manager
Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders LLP
09.2021 - 07.2023
- Partnered with Immigration Practice Group Leader to introduce process improvements to increase productivity
- Created document automation portfolio in coordination with Innovation team to streamline production
- Participated in Client Revenue Management to improve firm’s collection efforts
- Worked collaboratively with peers across firm’s business support departments (e.g., Business Development, Legal Talent, Finance & Accounting, Information Technology, Office Administrators) to manage initiatives and support business strategies as set out by Departments and Practice Groups
- Monitored attorney workloads and productivity and identified associates for performance intervention as well as for advancement opportunities
- Worked cross-functionally to manage and promote attorney development and diversity, equity & inclusion initiatives
- Worked with Practice Group Leaders to determine recruiting/hiring needs for practices
- Provided onboarding and integration support to junior associates and lateral attorney hires
- Worked with Practice Group and practice team leaders, as well as with Professional Development colleagues to plan and conduct formal training programs for lawyers as needed
- Worked with colleagues in finance department to address specific reporting needs for Practice Groups and practice teams
- Planned, organized, and supported Department and Practice Group meetings and retreats, including coordinated with appropriate administrative departments, prepared and communicated agendas and materials, and developed and executed action items
- Communicated and coordinated Practice Group support staff needs for Paralegals, Legal Practice Assistants with Human Resources and Office Administrators
Immigration Practice Group Manager
Greenberg Traurig, LLP
04.2018 - 09.2021
- Managed department’s largest client and acted as daily contact
- In coordination with leadership developed and set strategic direction and business development goals for immigration group
- Developed, implemented and managed process improvement initiatives for efficiency and profitability
- Led efforts to improve use of technology and innovation for client satisfaction and efficiencies
- Created, developed and managed workflow processes to implement process improvement
- Managed, coached and trained paralegals, including interviewing, hiring, firing and conducting performance reviews
- Implemented onshore/offshore business model to improve productivity and reduce costs
- Monitored schedules and workload of paralegal and administrative staff in practice area
- Performed weekly and monthly internal and external reporting
- Managed implementation of new database and document automation production
- Created data analytics for greater understanding of resources to improve productivity
- Worked with finance team to create and process practice groups monthly invoices
Immigration Paralegal
Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete
10.2017 - 04.2018
- Account lead for several Fortune 500 companies responsible for managing immigration processes for multiple clients, including daily contact with clients and foreign nationals
- Managed monthly reporting to notify clients of upcoming expirations
- Managed and monitored nonimmigrant and immigrant processes, including initial filings, extensions and renewals of visa petitions and other applications to the U.S
- Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Department of Labor (DOL), and other government agencies (H-1B, TN, L-1A, L-1B, O-1, P-1, PERM, I-140, I485, etc.)
- Oversaw extensive business immigration caseload and collaborate with attorneys in high volume, high transaction, deadline-driven environment
HR Mobility Specialist
Varian Medical Systems
08.2017 - 10.2017
- Facilitated both application and maintenance of lawful immigration status and employment authorization for employees and candidates
- Supported human resources and legal departments by coordinating and processing immigrant and nonimmigrant visas, including H-1B, B-1, F-1, J-1, O-1, TN and L-1
- Served as resource to hiring managers and employees through gathering and completion of appropriate applications
- Maintained currency with laws, regulations and procedures for processing immigration-related petitions
- Served as partner with outside counsel and government agencies regarding visa processing
Senior Business Immigration Specialist
Seyfarth Shaw
04.2011 - 08.2017
- Acted as account lead for several Fortune 500 companies responsible for managing immigration processes for multiple clients, including daily contact with clients and foreign nationals
- Managed monthly reporting to notify clients of upcoming expirations
- Trained, mentored and coached team members
- Participated in onshore/offshore business model
- Managed and monitored nonimmigrant and immigrant processes, including initial filings, extensions and renewals of visa petitions and other applications to the U.S
- Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Department of Labor (DOL), and other government agencies (H-1B, TN, L-1A, L-1B, O-1, P-1, PERM, I-140, I485, etc.)
- Oversaw extensive business immigration caseload and collaborate with attorneys in high volume, high transaction, deadline-driven environment
- Participated in internal firm committees for national process improvements to more efficiently manage cases and serve clients
Senior Immigration Specialist
Freddie Mac
10.2009 - 03.2011
- Assisted with developing industry-best immigration system for company
- Acted as primary liaison to foreign national employees and their managers
- Actively worked with outside legal counsel on all nonimmigrant visa and permanent residence cases
- Tracked and updated all nonimmigrant visa activity, including renewals, I-9 updates
- Administered I-9 collection process to ensure compliance with all laws and regulations
- Conducted audits of completed I-9s and performed extensive quarterly I-9 process reviews
- Managed labor pool testing (PERM) process to include job description creation, job notice posting, external posting, resume review/assessment, and advertisement tracking
- Worked closely with recruiting operations to build more effective resume tracking, document storage/filing, and notice posting in support of labor certification function
Senior Immigration Paralegal
Alston & Bird, LLP
04.2006 - 09.2009
- Monitored and managed nonimmigrant and immigrant processes including extensions and renewals
- Performed I-9 Audits for corporate clients in response to government inquiries or to ensure clients' compliance
- Provided business immigration paralegal services to corporate clients
- Researched, prepared and filed immigrant and nonimmigrant visa petitions and other applications for submission to USCIS, DOL, and other government agencies
- Prepared, managed and conducted recruitment in connection with PERM applications
- Managed multiple cases for corporate clients and collaborated with attorneys to manage full caseload
- Maintained daily communications with clients, foreign nationals, and state and federal administrative agencies
- Participated in on-site client meetings to provide case updates and advise on immigration issues
Paralegal
Devore & Devore, P.A
07.2004 - 03.2006
- Researched, prepared and filed immigrant and nonimmigrant visa petitions, and other applications for submission to USCIS, DOL, and other government agencies
- Produced employment-based visa applications to facilitate entry of executives, investors, managers, professionals and essential technical personnel to work in the U.S
- Managed and coordinated multiple cases for clients with focus on customer service
- Collaborated with attorneys and staff to manage full caseload in fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment
- Maintained daily communications with clients and state and federal government agencies
- Assisted clients with forming corporate entities with Secretary of State
Senior Immigration Paralegal
Alston & Bird LLP
05.2000 - 06.2004
- Monitored and managed nonimmigrant and immigrant processes including extensions and renewals
- Performed I-9 Audits for corporate clients in response to government inquiries or to ensure clients' compliance
- Provided business immigration paralegal services to corporate clients
- Researched, prepared and filed immigrant and nonimmigrant visa petitions and other applications for submission to USCIS, DOL, and other government agencies
- Prepared, managed and conducted recruitment in connection with PERM applications
- Managed multiple cases for corporate clients and collaborated with attorneys to manage full caseload
- Maintained daily communications with clients, foreign nationals, and state and federal administrative agencies
- Participated in on-site client meetings to provide case updates and advise on immigration issues
Paralegal
Schwartz, Kuck & Associates, LLP
11.1999 - 05.2000
- Researched, prepared and filed immigrant and nonimmigrant visa petitions, and other applications for submission to USCIS, DOL, and other government agencies
- Managed and coordinated multiple cases for business immigration clients
- Maintained daily communications with clients and government agencies
Immigration Legal Assistant
Frazier, Soloway & Poorak, P.C
07.1995 - 11.1999
- Researched, prepared and filed immigrant and nonimmigrant visa petitions and other visa applications
- Managed several cases for corporate clients and collaborated with attorneys on full caseload
- Participated in client meetings and attended American Immigration Lawyers Association's annual conferences
Education
Bachelor of Science -
Miami University
Oxford, Ohio1993
Skills
- Human Resource Management
- New Hire Training
- Organizational Goal Development
- Managing Practice Operations
- Profitability Strategies
- Policy Implementation
- Employee Performance
- Problem Identification
- Customer Satisfaction
- Resource Monitoring
- Coaching and Mentoring
- Schedule Management
Timeline
Practice Manager/Legal Project Manager
Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders LLP
09.2021 - 07.2023
Immigration Practice Group Manager
Greenberg Traurig, LLP
04.2018 - 09.2021
Immigration Paralegal
Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete
10.2017 - 04.2018
HR Mobility Specialist
Varian Medical Systems
08.2017 - 10.2017
Senior Business Immigration Specialist
Seyfarth Shaw
04.2011 - 08.2017
Senior Immigration Specialist
Freddie Mac
10.2009 - 03.2011
Senior Immigration Paralegal
Alston & Bird, LLP
04.2006 - 09.2009
Paralegal
Devore & Devore, P.A
07.2004 - 03.2006
Senior Immigration Paralegal
Alston & Bird LLP
05.2000 - 06.2004
Paralegal
Schwartz, Kuck & Associates, LLP
11.1999 - 05.2000
Immigration Legal Assistant
Frazier, Soloway & Poorak, P.C
07.1995 - 11.1999
Bachelor of Science -
Miami University
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