Experience that spans the classroom, the courtroom, and the executive suite.

I help organizations build legally sound workplaces while supporting confident, strategic leadership decisions. My perspective is shaped by experience as a civil rights and employment attorney, workplace compliance advisor, HR and operations leader, and in-house legal executive.

My career has taken me through education, litigation, federal civil rights investigations and enforcement, HR leadership, and executive legal counsel. That breadth allows me to help organizations navigate workplace issues not only legally, but operationally and strategically.

I began my career as a high school teacher and earned a Master of Science in Education (TESOL). Those experiences gave me firsthand insight into how workplace culture, leadership, and compliance directly affect the people an organization exists to serve.

I became a plaintiff-side employment attorney representing individuals in workplace discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wage-and-hour matters. That work provided a close view into how organizational issues escalate into litigation and how many disputes can be prevented through stronger systems, clearer communication, and more effective leadership practices.

I later served in federal civil rights enforcement at the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, where I investigated schools and universities for discrimination violations and mediated disputes. This experience shaped my understanding of institutional accountability, regulatory scrutiny, and how organizations respond under pressure.

From there, I moved into executive leadership leading HR and operations for a mission-driven organization through growth, crisis, and change. I learned what works in practice, not just theory.

Today, I serve in an in-house executive legal role at a national organization, advising senior leadership and the Board on employment, compliance, governance, and strategic organizational matters.

As Principal of Bentley Harmon PLLC, I bring this integrated perspective to organizations navigating complex workplace and compliance challenges. I understand litigation risk because I have litigated. I understand regulatory expectations because I have worked within enforcement. I understand operational strain because I have led through it. And I understand the weight of executive decision-making because I advise it every day. I bring that integrated experience to organizations navigating the complex, high-stakes people challenges that come with doing mission-critical work.

I work with established organizations and growing companies alike—wherever leaders need practical, legally grounded guidance on the people and compliance challenges that come with building something that matters.

My goal is not simply compliance. It is creating durable systems that support healthy workplaces, reduce risk, and allow leaders to focus on their mission and business with confidence.

FOCUS AREAS
Employment law & HR compliance
HR policies and organizational systems
Executive, Board and governance advisory
Employee relations and workplace strategy