Keri N. Savage, Esq.
Olyphant,PA
Summary
Accomplished Attorney offering ten-year record of supporting clients in legal matters. Communicates clearly and effectively with clients, opposing counsel, jurors and judges. Adept at developing lasting professional relationships.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Chief Communications and Compliance Officer
County of Lackawanna Transit System
08.2023 - Current
- Develop and implement strategies, programs, and policies to improve employee relations, operational efficiencies, and customer satisfaction
- Oversee and develop plans and manage complex internal and external oral and written communications including handling sensitive and controversial issues
- Responsible for marketing, advertising, communication and all forms of outreach, including public and stakeholder involvement, public-private partnerships, and strategic/business planning
- Oversee the Human Resources Department, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, promotion, training, development, employee evaluations, employee recognition and termination of employees as well as application and interpretation of Union Collective Bargaining Agreements
- Oversee the Customer Service Department, which includes monitoring and ensuring proper and organized responses and communications to customer inquiries, complaints, and compliments
- Serve as liaison to Board Solicitors on all legal matters
- Coordinate with Senior Management to ensure Company-wide compliance regarding local, state, and federal programs, including but not limited to Title VI, Title IX, and Equal Employment Opportunity Program
- Work closely with labor counsel and Executive Director on all personnel matters, including labor relations, contract interpretations, litigation, arbitration, and all company procedures
- Perform annual reviews of Department supervisors and/or administrative employees under direct report and assist Departments in annual employee evaluations.
- Identify gaps in existing compliance processes and recommended updates.
- Collect detailed notes on investigations and other communication to adhere to legal requirements and enhance recordkeeping.
- Oversee and monitored violation tracking system for accuracy, reducing ADA, EEO, and Title VI issues.
Director of Human Resources
County of Lackawanna Transit System
10.2021 - 08.2023
- Oversaw and managed recruiting, hiring, and termination and ensure that the processes comply with all federal, state, and local laws and regulations
- Supervised employee performance and development, including but not limited to performing Due Process Hearings and administering progressive discipline and employee coaching
- Managed and administered employee benefit programs including, vacation, sick, health and dental insurance, life insurance, Family and Medical Leave Act and short-term/long-term disability
- Served as liaison to Board Solicitors on all legal matters
- Oversee Workers’ Compensation and light duty placement, and manage unemployment claims
- Developed, implemented, maintained, and oversaw human resources policies and procedures, including Employee Handbook and Collective Bargaining Agreements
- Collaborated with Senior Management and corresponding departments to develop and implement strategies to increase ridership and revenue
- Compiled and maintained statistical data for monthly reports to the Executive Director and Board of Directors
- Oversaw all external media and communications including; press releases, social media, website, planned and real-time service alerts, public timetables, advertising, and marketing.
Human Resources Compliance Officer for Lackawanna County Prison
Lackawanna County Human Resources Department
05.2021 - 10.2021
- Administered human resources policies and programs to all prison administration and staff
- Supervised and evaluated staff
- Directed counseling, disciplining, and overseeing employee overall performance
- Made hiring and firing recommendations
- Responsible for overall labor relations and processing grievances, investigatory meetings, due process hearings, and labor management meetings
- Approved and maintained FMLA and ADA records for all prison staff
- Worked closely with labor counsel and Human Resources Director on all personnel matters.
Solo Practitioner
Private Practice Attorney
11.2013 - Current
- Effectively manage a diverse private law practice by providing representation to clients involving civil, criminal, family, real estate, estate, and family cases
- Research, prepare, and file all legal pleadings for clients
- Interpret laws, rulings, and regulations for individuals
- Review and present key evidence and exhibits during legal proceedings
- Question and cross examine witnesses during legal proceedings
- Managed all aspects of trial preparation for litigation
- Conducted settlement negotiations and resolutions for various types of cases.
Assistant Public Defender
Lackawanna County Public Defender’s Office
11.2013 - 05.2021
- Represented indigent defendants in all aspects of trial litigation
- Defend clients subject to penalty for violations of probation and parole, Protection From Abuse Orders, and Court orders for fines and costs
- Advocate for clients entering Lackawanna County Treatment Court, and defend those facing termination from the Program
- Coordinate with prosecutors, Judges, Lackawanna County Probation Office, rehabilitation centers, and other private and public entities for clients’ benefit
- Prepare petitions, motions, and other legal documents for use in trials, hearings, and legal proceedings
- Wrote legal motions and memorandum and managed high volume case load
- Appeared in daily court proceedings, including trial
- Mentored new attorneys and supervised interns.
Legal Intern
WestChester County District Attorney’s Office
09.2012 - 12.2012
- Investigated and analyzed evidence
- Drafted memoranda on issues including multijurisdictional prosecution, cultural expert witnesses, and admissibility of expert witnesses in child sex abuse cases
- Assisted in pretrial preparation including homicide review presented to District Attorney Janet DiFiore
- Observed proceedings, arraignments, and rape trial.
Judicial Intern
United States District Court For the Middle District of Pennsylvania
05.2012 - 07.2012
- Researched issues concerning international arbitration clauses, bill of particulars in Motion to Return Property, venue for environmental dispute, punitive damages in wrongful death suit, statute of limitations and pleading requirements for 1983 and 1985 claims, and employment issues involving federal law
- Prepared recommendations and drafted opinions for Judge’s use for motions to dismiss
- Attended multiple court proceedings including revocation of probation hearings, sentencing, second degree murder trial, and bankruptcy meetings.
Legal Intern
Legal Services Of The Hudson Valley
01.2012 - 04.2012
- Researched housing, family, health, and education law
- Wrote memoranda about indigent clients and housing vouchers, guardianship and assessment fees, federal records access, succession rights of family members, and public funding for court services
- Prepared lecture materials on various healthcare issues and family offenses.
LiveHelp Operator
LiveHelp Legal Assistance Program
10.2011 - 12.2011
- Assisted low income New Yorkers in finding legal information from LawHelp.org
- Provided know your rights” materials, as well as referrals to free and low-cost legal services.
Legal Assistant
The Mulligan Law Firm
06.2009 - 08.2010
- Drafted memoranda on issues in family, criminal, and real estate law
- Filed documents and assisted in preparation of pleadings and motions
- Managed files and updated clients of case status.
Education
Juris Doctor -
Pace University School of Law
White Plains, NY05.2013
B.A. Political Science and History -
University of Scranton
Scranton, PA05.2010
Skills
- Data Confidentiality
- LexisNexis
- Legal Compliance
- Court Procedures
- Policy Knowledge
- Reviewing documents
- Legal Research and Review
- Legal Interpretation and Adaptation
Licensures And Affiliations
- Admitted to practice in state and federal courts of Pennsylvania
- Serve a member of the Board of Directors for the Scranton Counseling Center, Scranton, PA
- Volunteer for Northeastern Pennsylvania pancreatic Cancer Action Network, Scranton, PA
Timeline
Chief Communications and Compliance Officer
County of Lackawanna Transit System
08.2023 - Current
Director of Human Resources
County of Lackawanna Transit System
10.2021 - 08.2023
Human Resources Compliance Officer for Lackawanna County Prison
Lackawanna County Human Resources Department
05.2021 - 10.2021
Solo Practitioner
Private Practice Attorney
11.2013 - Current
Assistant Public Defender
Lackawanna County Public Defender’s Office
11.2013 - 05.2021
Legal Intern
WestChester County District Attorney’s Office
09.2012 - 12.2012
Judicial Intern
United States District Court For the Middle District of Pennsylvania
05.2012 - 07.2012
Legal Intern
Legal Services Of The Hudson Valley
01.2012 - 04.2012
LiveHelp Operator
LiveHelp Legal Assistance Program
10.2011 - 12.2011
Legal Assistant
The Mulligan Law Firm
06.2009 - 08.2010
Juris Doctor -
Pace University School of Law
B.A. Political Science and History -
University of Scranton
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