I help organizations navigate employment law and HR compliance with clarity, steadiness, and practical judgment.

My path to this work has been unconventional—and that breadth allows me to see workplace challenges from multiple angles. I started my career as a high school teacher and and earned my Master of Science in Education (TESOL). This experience gave me firsthand insight into the challenges educators face and the importance of supportive, compliant workplace systems.

I became a plaintiff-side employment attorney, representing individuals in discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wage-and-hour cases in federal and state courts. I saw firsthand how workplace issues escalate into costly disputes—and how many could have been prevented with thoughtful leadership and stronger systems.

I later served in federal civil rights enforcement at a federal agency, where I investigated discrimination complaints, conducted compliance reviews, and mediated disputes. This experience provided insight into how agencies evaluate institutional responses and what triggers regulatory scrutiny.

From there, I moved into executive leadership within the nonprofit sector, overseeing HR, operations, and compliance during a period of growth and change. This work required translating legal standards into practical policies, managing sensitive employee matters, and supporting leaders as they made consequential decisions under real-world constraints.

Today, I serve in an in-house executive legal role at a national organization, advising senior leadership and boards on employment, compliance, and strategic matters. This ongoing experience keeps my advisory work grounded in the realities organizations face—balancing legal requirements, business and mission-driven priorities, and operational pressures.

As Principal of Bentley Harmon PLLC, I bring this integrated perspective to organizations navigating complex workplace 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.

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

BACKGROUND

Employment Litigation
Represented individuals in federal and state employment matters, including discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wage-and-hour claims. Developed insight into how workplace decisions are examined in litigation and how disputes escalate.

Federal Civil Rights Enforcement
Investigated discrimination complaints and conducted compliance reviews within a federal enforcement agency. Mediated disputes and evaluated institutional compliance frameworks.

Executive Leadership & In-House Counsel
Led HR, operations, and compliance functions within the nonprofit sector and serve in an in-house executive legal capacity advising leadership and boards on employment and compliance strategy.