Confident and experienced certified PHR employment lawyer who can add value to your company. I am seeking an internal investigations employee relations position, usually housed in the HR Department. I am currently available in the Winter Garden/Orlando, Florida area. I have experience in federal level hearings and with Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Merit System Protection Board (MSPB), and Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA). I use conflict resolution techniques sufficient to interact in highly charged emotional situations due to delicate or highly contested case matters and determinations. I investigate allegations of discrimination, poor work practices, and other potential adverse situations and I advise managers about disciplinary/corrective techniques responsive to a range of conduct and performance problems. I am able to maintain objectivity in situations charged with emotion, apply policy and procedures consistently across all employment levels. I interpret facts and/or identify aggravating or mitigating factors relevant to the situation, and probe and analyse to identify obscure or underlying causes of misconduct or poor performance.
1. KRISTINA D. PENTA, JD, LL.M., PHR
6109 Sunset Isle Drive Winter Garden, FL 34787 • 571-882-0472 • kdpenta@gmail.com
US Citizen • Honorably Retired Military (Veterans Preference w/ Secret Security Clearance)
QUALIFICATIONS
Soft skills expert; excellent interpersonal, investigative, and client service skills; demonstrated consultative and
credibility assessment skills; professional with 15+ years proven experience
Astute ability to assess sensitive and complex employee relations issues in a confidential, objective, and
systematic manner; often challenged organizational thinking with tact and diplomacy when necessary
Strong understanding of all aspects of employment and human resources related laws, regulations, policies,
principles, concepts and practices, juris doctorate (JD Degree) including advanced degree (LL.M.) in employment
law related to Title VII, ADA, ADAAA and FMLA
Engaged with employees and leadership across the organization, conducted ER related assessments and
investigations, and advised leadership on continuous improvement opportunities and corrective actions
Led/facilitated multi-party conferences using Negotiation and Conflict Resolution skills and techniques
Collaborated with functional team members using a consultative approach to help assess organization
effectiveness and develop and implement action plans
Prioritized diverse workload; multi-tasker extraordinaire, proven record of working under pressure and meeting
deadlines, experienced managing multiple projects with strong time management and prioritization skills
Proficient in computer skills, quick to learn new software programs that are company specific
Regulatory compliance experience with investigations involving discrimination complaints and other sensitive
issues, documentation expert, reduction of corporate liability, documentation and tracking
Experienced in internal complaints investigation including sexual harassment and other discrimination from
employees against employer, and from customers against staff
Expert in privacy, information release, and confidentiality within law
Program Manager of training and documentation standards, compliance/inspections and investigations
Attention to detail while listening and reading to identify known and potential issues
EXPERIENCE
Veterans Business Alliance – Volunteer, Vice President of the VALOR (Veteran Advocacy Liaison on Retention)
Program (April 2015-present)
Co-authored article in Florida HR Magazine regarding Veteran retention in civilian work positions
Foundation for Orange County Public Schools – Read 2 Succeed Program Volunteer (November 2013-May 2015)
Worked with Foundation Program Managers to pair with Orange County elementary school students to improve
reading and vocabulary skills
United States Air Force (AF) Lawyer (JAG/Attorney)/Nurse (1996-2013)
Labor and Employment Law Attorney/JAG, Headquarters Air Force Legal Operations Agency (AFLOA),
Washington, D.C.
Represented management at federal hearings in front of EEOC and in other legal proceedings
Experienced internal investigations leader, consistently apply work standards and corrective actions
Defended company worldwide as Lead Attorney on 100+ employment due process and employee civil
rights/discrimination (Title VII) complaints, communicated concisely to and coordinated with multiple parties
including federal judges, opposing counsel, human resources, and managers/supervisors
Reduced corporate liability, negotiated settlements on cases worth over $2.5 million in potential liability, on
behalf of company regarding complaints with actual payouts less than $10,000 total
Deputy General Counsel and Ethics Attorney, Air Force Office of Scientific Research, Arlington, VA
Provided expert legal support for Air Force Research Laboratory reviewing actual and potential ethics violations
by Agency scientists and educational research and development entities
2. KRISTINA D. PENTA, JD, LL.M., PHR
Advised Agency on cooperation agreements with National Science Foundation and State Department dealing with
research products and foreign trade, reviewed grants and contracts worth over $50 million
Chief of Civil Law and Chief of Claims Department, Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan
Three years of experience in liability claims, analyzed records for issues with causation nexus
Associate Counsel for Adverse Personnel Actions, Robins Air Force Base, GA
Advised leadership on civil law matters including freedom of information act (FOIA) requests, environmental law
compliance, contract law, labor & employment law, and international law
Registered Nurse/Educator & Instructor, Robins Air Force Base, GA
Educated staff on CPR, annual training requirements, credentialing and continuing education credits
Program Manager of training and documentation for JCAHO compliance and inspection
Instructed staff on medical legal documentation standards and avoiding medication errors; reviewed preceptor
checklists/documentation and ensured new hires were instructed properly by staff on all listed objectives while
ensuring patient safety protocols were adhered to
EDUCATION
Certificate of Applied Education in Human Resources, Syracuse University, 2014
Masters of Law (LL.M.) Degree (advanced specialization in labor and employment law), The George
Washington School of Law, Washington, D.C., 2010
Juris Doctorate (J.D.) Degree, Mercer University School Of Law, Macon, GA, 2002
Completed internship in civil and criminal law, Moot Court Civil Rights Litigation Team
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Degree, Georgia Southwestern State University, Americus, Georgia,
1998 (4.0 GPA, Inducted into chapter of Sigma Theta Tau, Nursing Honor Society)
Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) Degree, Macon State College, Macon, GA 1996
PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION
Negotiations and Alternate Dispute Resolution Course (2 week formal negotiations/ADR course)
Federal Labor and Employment Law Course (formal full time 1 week course)
Air Command and Staff College & Squadron Officer College (formal leadership/management courses)
Advanced Supervisory Course and Civilian Personnel Management Course (formal HR courses)
Government Contracts Course (formal full time 2 week course)
Advanced Trial Advocacy Course (1 week trial/prosecutorial/program management course)
Judge Advocate Course (9 week formal residential government law & trial advocacy course)
PROFESSIONAL LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS
Georgia Bar License # 571675 (in good standing)
Professional in Human Resources (PHR) via Human Resources Certification Institute (HRCI)
Salary expectations: Negotiable, range of $75,000+ to highest potential