1. LAURA WESTPHAL
laura.a.westphal@gmail.com
612-308-3276
4316 Colfax Avenue South, Minneapolis MN 55409
SPECIAL SKILLS
*Aptitude for engaging others, building trust and consensus, mentoring,
collaborating between departments and across physical locations
*Strong business and legal training with the proclivity to analyze, synthesize
and clearly report on large amounts of information leading to solid strategic
decisions
*High competency managing and propelling several projects simultaneously,
ability to anticipate and quickly respond to changing priorities
*Energetic and mindful with exemplary written and verbal abilities
SUMMARY
A successful, high-energy professional taking action with determined, thoughtful
purpose. High potential managerial employee with key critical thinking skills and
experience. Demonstrated expertise in managing complex projects and departments
ranging from large multi-national corporations to small business companies. Wealth
of experience in private, public and non-profit sectors. Exceptional core competency
in compliance, reporting, research, HR, negotiations and outreach. Skilled in several
IT platforms. Deep understanding of complying with HIPAA, FDA, EEOC, SEC and
ERISA regulations. Superior organization abilities and follow through, enthusiastic
team builder and mentor with cross-disciplinary goals.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
COMMISSIONER; Minneapolis Police Conduct Oversight Commission (PCOC).
Mayoral appointment from January 2015 through December 2017.
www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/civilrights
*Chair, Outreach Committee. Organized and ran several public listening sessions
regarding the MPD’s use of body cameras, co-author of Best Practices Research
Study and drafted Policy for the MPD to implement. Collaboration with the
Neighborhood Community Relations. On going work with the Department of Justice
regarding the National Initiative to Build Community Trust and Justice. Guiding
research and policy on a Social Worker Co-Responder program with the MPD.
Demonstrated steady project progression meeting deadlines. Responsible for
creating and managing projects and events to engage public participation in MPD
matters. Public relations contact with the media.
*Policy and Procedure Committee. Review, research and draft policy for the MPD
procedural manual, discipline matrix and research solutions to problems arising
from civilian complaints against officers. Anticipated issues regarding use of force

2. and creating new policy involving police interaction with mental health instances.
*Liaison to the Minneapolis City Council, the Civil Rights Commission and the Police
Federation. Regularly meet with diverse parties having competing goals.
Successfully negotiate consensus and move projects forward toward completion.
Provide advice and work closely with the Public Safety, Civil Rights and Emergency
Management Committee including involvement in contract, grant and program
approval.
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER; INTERDISCIPLINARY BUSINESS RESOURCES, LLC in
Minneapolis, MN. 2010-Current position. With two legal partners and a Creative
Director I actively engage clients from this complex interconnected business world. I
solve problems fast, creatively, effectively and ethically, often working on site with
my clients. I provide less expensive quasi-legal expertise on compliance, general HR
matters including negotiating salaries, implementing performance metrics and
severance programs. I have written several employee handbooks, given seminars
and resolved complaints of harassment and ADA claims. As a Project Manager I am
proficient in SAS, Sagent/Galaxy and other analysis of business systems. I am a
genuine advocate but also manage dispute resolution, arbitration and collections
from white-collar crime and fraud. I have experience advising corporations on EPA,
HIPAA and FDA compliance. I provide litigation management, legal and industry
research. I write grants for charter schools, non-profit organizations and scientific
research for PhD students at the U of M. Text haiku daily. I have given many
presentations and served on panels. I have successfully managed very large budgets.
Most importantly I am mindful of the world around me and my place in it.
MANAGING PARTNER; MILLER, OLSON & ASSOCIATES, PLLC. 1994-2010.
*General Corporate Practice: created business structures to best manage liability
and tax matters for multi-state, multi-project corporations. Planned long term
strategy, drafted and negotiated innumerable contracts. Handled insurance claims,
governmental and internal compliance. Provide expertise in conflict resolution and
arbitrations including collective bargaining issues. Made complex presentations to
Boards of Directors.
*Drafted confidentiality agreements, leases, loan and purchase documents and even
real estate closings including record maintenance.
*Expertise in managing large M & A transactions, complex litigations and outside
counsel, and environmental and business ethics compliance. I have dealt with
several government agencies including IRS, DOJ, EPA, FDA, SEC, DOD and
international trade agencies.
*For NRG Energy, Inc. I created a deliberate corporate structure that ultimately
provided NSP (now Excel) with over $200 million in environmental tax credits.
Negotiated loan and partnership/investor documents for multi-state construction
projects and brought in an equity partner. Drafted power marketing agreements
and guarantees.
*For NEO Corporation I successfully guided the fast growth of a methane based
power-marketing company and created its corporate and tax structure, integrated

3. business departments and streamlined business processes. I acted as the project
manager in the construction and acquisition of several turnkey projects in the
methane industry. Advised the President and Board of Directors.
*For Title One, Inc. I advised the Directors on matters ranging from HR issues to
escrow compliance and managing insurance under writers. I resolved many quiet
title actions and conducted commercial and residential real estate closings.
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
CORPORATE COUNSEL; Cargill, Inc. in Wayzata, MN. 1988-1994. I acted as lead in-
house attorney for the Commodity Marketing Division and all of its legal matters:
advising the board of directors and executives, environmental matters, construction,
business regulations, interstate transportation (road, rail, barge), international
shipping and trade agreements, HR, investigated white collar crime within the
company and by vendors, managed M & A matters, purchase and sale of stand alone
businesses and instructed on several seminars across the US. Handled activities with
Federal and State agencies like the EPA, Post Office General, FBI, DOJ, FDA, DOD and
the IRS.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR; One Small Circle Foundation. This is a 501(c)(3), 509(a)
private non-profit foundation benefitting the economic status of disadvantaged
small business owners, community groups and educational status of under-served
populations in the Twin Cities.
CAARE; a real estate advocacy non-profit dedicated to assist consumers buying
homes, and researching unethical practices in the industry. I contributed research
and wrote a format general-purpose grant form.
RAMSAY COUNTY GUARDIAN AD LITEM
EDUCATION
Juris Doctor, Cum Laude, University of Wisconsin Madison Law School.
Bachelor of Business Administration, University of Wisconsin Madison School of
Business. Majoring in Finance, Investment and Banking.
Masters of Cross Disciplinary Studies (in process), University of Minnesota Twin
Cities concentrating on Human Geography. Final Thesis topic is “The Evolution of
Altruism”.