Shawnté Priest
Ripon,CA
Summary
Dynamic Legal Counsel with extensive experience excelling in employment litigation and risk management. Proven track record in streamlining compliance processes and enhancing workplace culture through effective conflict resolution and executive coaching. Adept at navigating complex legal landscapes while fostering organizational development and ethical practices.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Labor & Employment Counsel, Vice President of HR
USA Staffing, Inc.
Remote, USA
05.2016 - Current
- Manage employment litigation, to include wage and hour representative and class actions, discrimination lawsuits, and respond to complaints before local, state and federal agencies.
- Oversee all aspects of employment litigation, including discovery requests and depositions as lead representative.
- Conduct a comprehensive assessment of human resources processes, including the HRIS system and talent acquisition practices.
- Work with management to create performance measurement, employee development and employee compensation strategies.
- Facilitate conflict resolution between employees or departments regarding workplace disputes.
- Revamp health and safety practices and implement training programs for risk management team.
- Contributed to board discussions to guide organizational direction. and providing executive coaching.
Sr. Director, Legal Affairs & Regulatory Compliance (Equivalent to Assistant General Counsel)
Save Mart Supermarkets
Central Valley, USA
09.2013 - 05.2016
- Trusted in-house counsel.
- Oversee litigation related to Proposition 65, employment discrimination claims, wage and hour class actions, other class actions and general business claims.
- Achieve reduced litigation lifecycle through early resolution practices.
- Streamline litigation management with utilization of appropriate software which led to efficient oversight and awareness of professional services costs, complete litigation expense, enhanced records retention and better communication with outside counsel.
- Insistent compliance officer, leading efforts to maintain accountability for Company practices in relation to PCI-DSS (payment card standards), anti-money laundering efforts with our partners MoneyGram, promote conscientious practices to prevent human trafficking and tout transparent supply chain programs.
- Quality assurance partner with private label brands, ensuring that brand standards, FDA advertising rules and customer needs are met.
- Trusted advisor to all business units on various projects, daily business concerns, and escalated customer inquiries.
- Reliant HR business supporter and advisor.
Director of Human Resources
Various
Los Angeles, California
06.1996 - 09.2011
- Developed comprehensive HR strategies to align with organizational goals.
- Managed talent acquisition processes to attract top candidates for various positions.
- Implemented employee engagement initiatives to enhance workplace culture and satisfaction.
- Led performance management systems to evaluate and improve employee productivity.
- Oversaw compliance with labor laws and regulations to minimize legal risks.
- Facilitated training programs to enhance staff skills and professional development.
- Collaborated with leadership teams on workforce planning and organizational development.
Education
Certificate - Emergency Medical Technician
Academy For Professional Development
Ripon, CA12-2024
Juris Doctor (J.D.) - School of Law
Trinity International University
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
California State University Northridge
Skills
- Employment law
- Employment litigation
- Civil litigation
- Ethics and professionalism
- Corporate litigation
- Environmental laws and litigation
- Evaluating contracts
- Investigation skills
- Corporate law
- Legal research
- Problem solving
- Effective communication
- Executive coaching
- Risk management
- Organizational development
- Conflict resolution
Affiliations
- Risk Management Society (R.I.M.S)
- Association of Corporate Counsel
- American Society of Training & Development
Certification
- Licensed Attorney, State Bar of California - #298460, State Bar of Nevada – Specialty Admission, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California - Admitted
- Human Resources Certificates (HR Institute), Compensation, Benefits, Training, Recruiting
Timeline
Labor & Employment Counsel, Vice President of HR
USA Staffing, Inc.
05.2016 - Current
Sr. Director, Legal Affairs & Regulatory Compliance (Equivalent to Assistant General Counsel)
Save Mart Supermarkets
09.2013 - 05.2016
Director of Human Resources
Various
06.1996 - 09.2011
Certificate - Emergency Medical Technician
Academy For Professional Development
Juris Doctor (J.D.) - School of Law
Trinity International University
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
California State University Northridge