Katherine Wells

Employment law and legal operations professional with extensive experience supporting employment counsel, regulatory matters, litigation, investigations, and HR risk management. Combines hands-on legal support with deep Employee Relations and HR expertise, providing a practical understanding of both the legal and business sides of workplace matters. Experienced in EEOC/FCHR responses, position statements, discovery coordination, employment research, document review, contract support, and cross-functional partnership with HR and business leaders.

Legal Consultant / Paralegal, Legal Affairs Division - FLORIDA BLUE - Jacksonville, Florida

(2017)

• Support employment counsel with EEOC, FCHR, JHRC and other employment-related matters, including position statements, regulatory responses, and supporting documentation.
• Conduct legal and factual research; analyze employment records and assist counsel with responses to discrimination, retaliation, harassment, disability, and other workplace claims.
• Coordinate employment-related discovery, including document collection, organization, review, and production in support of litigation and regulatory matters.
• Partner with HR, Employee Relations, Compliance, and business leaders to investigate workplace issues and address employment-law and employee-relations risk.
• Serve as company representative in unemployment hearings and coordinate with HR and business partners on employment matters.
• Support counsel with contract review and redlining, corporate governance activities, and merger/acquisition-related work.
• Conduct multi-state employment-law compliance research involving leave, sick pay, jury duty, voting leave, employee separations, and related requirements.
• Serve as subject matter resource for background investigations and employment screening requirements; coordinate regulatory and corporate filings.

Senior Employee Relations Consultant, Human Resources - FLORIDA BLUE - Jacksonville, Florida

(2015 - 2017)

• Advised managers and leadership on employee relations, performance management, workplace investigations, disciplinary actions, and employment practices.
• Conducted and documented internal investigations and prepared reports for HR leadership, attorneys, and senior management.
• Supported employee separations and reductions in force while partnering with HR leadership and legal counsel.
• Provided guidance on employment policies, compliance, risk mitigation, and employee-relations matters; delivered management training.

AVP, Senior Employee Relations Advisor, Human Resources - EVERBANK - Jacksonville, Florida

(2005 - 2015)

• Provided Employee Relations guidance to managers and senior leadership regarding performance management, investigations, disciplinary actions, and workplace issues.
• Conducted complex internal investigations and prepared documentation for HR leadership, legal counsel, and executive leadership.
• Advised on employment practices, policy interpretation, compliance, risk mitigation, employee separations, and reductions in force.

Human Resources Business Partner - Select Portfolio Servicing, Inc.

Human Resources Advisor - LaSalle Bank / ABN AMRO