Stephanie A. Polk
Upper Marlboro,MD
Summary
Active member of the Maryland Bar with more than 20 years of progressively diverse and challenging legal experience. Proven ability to work in complex organizations and with a variety of stakeholders to build consensus. Extensive complex litigation experience including formal hearings and trials in administrative forums as well as local district and circuit court; demonstrated ability to analyze legal issues including gathering and identifying pertinent facts, recognizing significant findings and making appropriate legal conclusions; substantive experience writing persuasive legal memorandum in matters for which there is not precedent; and expert management of significant federal resources. Knowledgeable executive with more than 25 years of progressively diverse and challenging leadership experience affecting military manpower and policy, the civil service, and the Federal workforce. Proven ability to work in complex organizations, across party lines and with a variety of stakeholders and organizations to build consensus. Repeated success steering large organizations and guiding cross-functional teams through sensitive and complex problems finding elegant solutions while working under strict public scrutiny with tight resources.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Deputy Counsel, Naval Air Systems Command, Office of the General Counsel
Department of the Navy, Office of the General Counsel
01.2024 - Current
- Second in command of legal organization of over 60 attorneys and support staff; Advise throughout the full range of Department of the Navy (DON) Office of the General Counsel (OGC) legal practice including civilian personnel law, intellectual property, investigations, cyber, legislation, ethics and standards of conduct, Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act, fiscal law, and environmental law; Directly advise the Commander and other flag officers as well other senior DON officials; Provide direct support to the Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV), General Counsel of the Navy (GC) and Principal Deputy General Counsel (PDGC) on a series of highly sensitive special projects.
Assistant General Counsel, Acquisition Integrity Office
Department of the Navy, Office of the General Counsel
01.2023 - 01.2024
- Served as the DON Suspension and Debarment Official; subject matter expert and single point of contact to the Department of Justice in the areas of (a) procurement fraud related civil False Claims Act suits, including qui tams, (b) the DoD Voluntary Disclosure Program, (c) theories of/methodologies for the calculation of damages suffered as the result of procurement fraud related misconduct, and (d) maximizing return of funds to DON programs.
Associate Deputy General Counsel
Department of the Navy, Office of the Deputy General Counsel
01.2020 - 01.2023
- Served as Deputy to the Deputy General Counsel (DGC) within the Department of the Navy (DON), Office of the General Counsel (OGC). Responsible for the execution of legal and program management support for DON OGC-wide retention, hiring, promotion, reassignment, training, professional development, award, and discipline of all law clerks and civilian attorneys, including members of the Senior Executive Service; all budget and administrative matters necessary for the operation of the OGC Central Office (Office of the GC, Office of the Principal Deputy General Counsel (PDGC), Office of the DGC, Naval Litigation Office, and the Acquisition Integrity Office); management of OGC Information Technology, collection of survey data and metrics concerning OGC operations, and DON OGC knowledge management; Direct the OGC Freedomof Information Act Program, the DON Alternative Dispute Resolution Program, and provide legal support to the Auditor General of the Navy and the DON Secretariat management functions (the Special Assistant for Information Management and DON Chief Information Officer, the Office of the Chief Management Officer, andthe Director of Administration) and other DON Secretariat organizations.
Counsel
Naval Air Systems Command, Naval Air Warfare Center, Aircraft Division
01.2017 - 01.2020
- Served as principal legal advisor to military flag officer and senior executives within the Warfare Center. Provided legal advice, counsel and guidance on legal matters including complex and sensitive civilian personnel law matters involving senior officials including, but not limited to congressional inquiries, adverse actions, allegations of whistleblower retaliation, violations of the Hatch Act, employment discrimination, sexual harassment, and investigations by the Navy Inspector General, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service and the US Office of Special Counsel. Provided oral advice and written opinions on issues arising out of civilian personnel law, labor law, and EEO complaints; drafted legal memorandum, negotiated settlements; researched statutes, regulations and case reports in preparation to defend Agency actions; prepared motions, discovery, and responses to interrogatories; represented the Agency before the Administrative boards including the Merit Systems Protection Board and the EEOC; assisted the Department of Justice in Agency cases that are heard in US Federal Courts. Provided guidance to senior command members in legal matters to include procurement law, ethics and standards of conduct, fiscal law, environmental law, cyber law, the Privacy Act and the Freedom of Information Act. Provided oversight and direction to subordinate senior legal counsel, supervisors and team leads concerning workload management, critical program priorities, program initiatives, resource allocations, human resources, planning and establishing long-range and short-range goals.
Deputy Counsel
Naval Sea Systems Command, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division
01.2015 - 01.2017
- Served as Deputy Counsel and Deputy Principal legal advisor to the Commanding Officer and the Division Technical Director; Oversaw work product and responsible for supervision and training of high performing legal teams who provided support to clients on a full range of legal matters including ethics, intellectual property, the Freedom of Information Act and competitive and sole-source acquisitions. Handled full range of civilian personnel practice including making recommendations regarding disciplinary and adverse actions, performance related actions and discrimination complaints; served as agency representative before the Merit Systems Protection Board and the EEOC hearings; participating in settlement negotiations, discovery, motions practice, hearing preparation and mediation; and assisting the Department of Justice trial attorney in Agency cases that were heard in US Federal Courts. Utilized federal equal employment opportunity (EEO) and merit system principles, laws and regulations to ensure merit system principles were followed, due process rights were not violated, and barriers to equal employment opportunities were eliminated. Provided direction to Commands' special emphasis program managers; advised on civilian personnel and other administrative regulations and provided legal guidance and oversight over EEO complaint processing and alternative dispute resolution program. Directed and staffed legal review of Command policies and directives, memorandums of agreement/understanding, and inter/intra-agency support agreements.
Senior Associate Counsel
Commander, Naval Installations Command
01.2007 - 01.2015
- Served as a senior member of the Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC) Counsel’s staff and subject matter expert in civilian personnel law (CPL). Provided legal advice and support to CNIC leadership and provide assistance to region counsels and their staff as required. Advised and represented the command across the full range of CPL matters, including providing advice and guidance regarding disciplinary and adverse actions, performance-related actions, union grievances and discrimination complaints. Served as the agency representative before the MSPB and EEOC and the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. Participated in settlement negotiations, conducted discovery, drafted and filed motions, mediated cases, and assisted the Assistant US Attorney in cases pending in Federal courts. Provided personnel law and alternative dispute resolution training to senior shore leaders, OGC attorneys and other Navy employees. Developed the Command’s Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Program that was approved by the Commanding Officer and was stood up throughout the entire Command. Within one year of the Program being launched the Command saw a 30% increase in the amount of workplace disputes resolved through the ADR process.
Assistant State’s Attorney
Maryland State Attorney’s Office for Prince George’s County, District Court Division
01.2006 - 01.2007
- Investigated and prosecuted crimes for the state of Maryland. Handled all aspects of District Court criminal cases including plea negotiations in advance of trial, direct and cross examination, discovery, motions, and admission of exhibits. Gained extensive courtroom and litigation experience.
Attorney/Investigator
U.S. Office of Special Counsel Investigation and Prosecution Division
01.2001 - 01.2006
- Analyzed and made legal determinations in complaints involving alleged violations of prohibited personnel practices. Analyzed and interpreted regulations and statutes including the Whistle-blower Protection Act and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.
Education
Juris Doctor -
University of Baltimore School of Law
Baltimore, MD05.1995
Bachelor of Arts - undefined
Hood College
Frederick, MD05.1992
Skills
- Regulatory research
- Contract drafting
- Fostering empathetic connections
- Legal compliance
- Client counseling
Affiliations
- Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Psi Epsilon Omega Chapter, Prince George’s County, MD
- Member of Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc., Gamma Chapter, Washington, DC
- Executive Vice President, Junior League of Prince George’s County, Maryland
Timeline
Deputy Counsel, Naval Air Systems Command, Office of the General Counsel
Department of the Navy, Office of the General Counsel
01.2024 - Current
Assistant General Counsel, Acquisition Integrity Office
Department of the Navy, Office of the General Counsel
01.2023 - 01.2024
Associate Deputy General Counsel
Department of the Navy, Office of the Deputy General Counsel
01.2020 - 01.2023
Counsel
Naval Air Systems Command, Naval Air Warfare Center, Aircraft Division
01.2017 - 01.2020
Deputy Counsel
Naval Sea Systems Command, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division
01.2015 - 01.2017
Senior Associate Counsel
Commander, Naval Installations Command
01.2007 - 01.2015
Assistant State’s Attorney
Maryland State Attorney’s Office for Prince George’s County, District Court Division
01.2006 - 01.2007
Attorney/Investigator
U.S. Office of Special Counsel Investigation and Prosecution Division
01.2001 - 01.2006
Bachelor of Arts - undefined
Hood College
Juris Doctor -
University of Baltimore School of Law
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