MELVIN K.

PATTERSON
Millbrae, CA 94030 650-207-2961 E-Mail: mkpatt@gmail.com
CASE MANAGEMENT EMPLOYEE RELATIONS TRAINING

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
Goal-driven management professional and employment litigation supervisor with exceptional expertise in employment law, including EEO, ADA, Title VII, ADEA, FEHA, ERISA. Highly adept at employee relations and collaborating/interfacing with decision-makers in top corporate management of firms such as professional service firms, retailers, restaurants, auto body shops, and major insurance companies. Experienced in diverse range of employment/HR issues, including disability discrimination, workers compensation, EEO investigations, accommodation policies, litigation, sexual harassment, and racediscrimination issues. Uniquely positioned for balanced view of employment issues, having handled cases from both employer and employee perspectives. Effective mediator, conflict -resolver, and communicator who understands the importance of a management culture that fosters respect, safety, and concern for its employees. Skilled at counseling, training, and coaching employees. Experienced with electronic legal research tools including WestLaw, Lexis, internet. Drafted and prepared employment agreements, confidentiality agreements and independent contractor agreements.

HIGHLIGHTS OF PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS and EXPERIENCE

Employment Law
Litigated employment discrimination cases in federal and state court as first chair. Litigated dozens of arbitrations and employee-discipline cases before various tribunals and ADR processes. Prosecuted and defended dozens of administrative law matters including unemployment insurance appeals, workers compensation appeals and civil service hearings. Advise business clients on human-resource issues, policy and law, including ADA, Title VII, ADEA, and FEHA. As Associate/Litigator for law firms, counseled corporate clients on employment issues. Represented clients before the EEOC, DFEH, CUIAB and Labor Board; litigated Title VII, ADEA, and FEHA cases, including taking cases to trial as first chair. Dispensed advice on employee counseling, discipline, terminations, and wage issues. Wrote articles and updates on law & motion guide and legal technology column. Negotiated dozens of settlement agreements.

Management and Leadership

Supervised junior attorneys, paralegals and investigators. Developed employment policies and handbooks. Drafted and prepared commercial agreements and contracts. Participated in mentoring program through Asian American Bar Association.

Mediation Interpersonal Problem-solving Investigation

As an arbitrator and mediator, handled initial intake of all disputes relating to discovery information and documents produced prior to hearings; determined immediacy of issues and their presentation to the tribunal. Investigated employee complaints of discrimination and sexual harassment. Conducted employee investigations of sexual harassment and discrimination on behalf of clients.

Training ~ Coaching
Interact with executive management, middle managers and first-line supervisors to prepare them for depositions and trial; coach them every step of the way in dealing with employees under their supervision who have sued them. Conducted EEO training for management and clients. Trained other attorneys in how to organize properly to prepare a case, respond to administrative charges and how to prepare witnesses. Partnered with less experienced attorneys to guide/coach them through the litigation process.

PROFESSIONAL HISTORY
General Counsel, Phoenician International., Millbrae, CA 2008 present. Attorney at Law, Stephen Danz & Associates Los Angeles, CA 2008 Senior Counsel, Howard Rome Martin & Ridley, Redwood City, CA 2005 2007 Attorney at Law, Fox Shjeflo, Wohl & Hartley, San Mateo, CA 2001 2005 Principal, Law Offices of Melvin K. Patterson, Daly City, CA 1996 - 2001 Attorney at Law, Law Offices of Steven Guralnick, Daly City, CA 19 95 to 1996 Attorney at Law, Tyndall & Cahners, San Jose, CA 1993 1995

EDUCATION
Certificate, Strategic Human Resource Management, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 2008 Juris Doctor, John F. Kennedy University, Orinda, CA, 1992 Editor-in-Chief, JFK University Law Review, 1991-92 American Jurisprudence Award, Legal Research/Writing, 1992 Legal Assisting Certification, City College San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 1987

PROFESSIONAL and CIVIC AFFILIATIONS

Member, State Bar of California 1993 - present Guest Speaker, Asian Pacific American Law Students Association 2005 San Mateo County High School District Moot Court Competition Coach 2002

LAW LICENSURE
California state/federal courts, 1993 present