Carrie L. Flores

Carrie Flores is a member of Krieg DeVault’s Employment Law, Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation, and Litigation Practice Groups.  She concentrates her practice in the areas of employment law and litigation, representing employers of all sizes and industries.  Ms. Flores received her current Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) designation in 2003.  Prior to entering the practice of law, she worked in human resources management for eight years, most recently serving as Human Resources Director and Diversity Chairperson for the American Red Cross Blood Services Central Ohio Region.  She now devotes much of her law practice to assisting employers with daily human resources issues to ensure compliance with federal and state employment laws.  She is experienced in handling sexual harassment and discrimination claims and is available to lead seminars focusing on a wide range of employment topics.

Representative Experience

• Prepared employment handbooks, policies (including non-compete, non-solicitation, and confidentiality policies), agreements, job descriptions, and severance agreements
• Presented at seminars addressing subjects such as Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1991, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), workers compensation, sexual harassment awareness, union avoidance, hiring and firing best practices, and affirmative action 
• Assisted employers in their reductions in workforce to ensure compliance with federal and local laws and minimize the negative impact to operational efficiency and employee morale
• Advised employers regarding administering employee compensation and benefit plans
• Managed employee relations issues and investigations stemming from employee complaints
• Implemented employee performance management systems, including merit award and forced distribution programs, and employee recognition programs
• Conducted numerous human resources and safety policies and practices audits

Education

• Valparaiso University School of Law, Valparaiso, Indiana (J.D., cum laude, 2009)
  • Editor in Chief, Valparaiso University Law Review (2008 - 2009)
  • Legal Intern, the Honorable Philip P. Simon, U.S. District Court (2008 - 2009)
  • Member, Moot Court Honor Society (2007 - 2008)
• Rollins College, Winter Park, Florida (M.A. in Human Resources Management, Dean's List, 2000)
• Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana (B.A. in Speech Communication, Criminal Justice, Dean's List, 1997)
• Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain (Summer program, 1997)

Bar Admissions

• Illinois, 2010
• Indiana, 2009
• U.S. District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana, 2009

Professional Associations

• Indiana University Alumni Association, Member, 2009 - Present
• NWI Chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management, Member 2009 - Present
• American Bar Association, Member, 2006 - Present
• Indiana State Bar Association, Member, 2006 - Present
• Lake County Bar Association, Member, 2007 - Present
• Society for Human Resource Management, Member, 2001 - Present 

Awards and Recognitions

• National Association of Women Lawyers, Outstanding Law Student Award, 2009
• National Order of Scribes Award, 2009
• Valparaiso University School of Law, Special Commendation for Pro Bono Service, 2009
• Scribes Law-Review Award, 2009
• Pacific Legal Foundation National Writing Competition, First Runner-Up, 2008
• Datatel Scholar, First Midwest Bank, and Lake County Bar Association scholarships, 2008
• Federal Circuit Bar Association (Howard Markey) and Illinois Bar Foundation scholarships, 2007
• Valparaiso University Law Review, Case Comment Competition Winner, 2007

Seminars and Presentations

• Effectively Navigating the Complexities of the Family and Medical Leave Act - Webinar for Indiana Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, February 2011
• Creating Effective Job Descriptions - Webinar for Client, October 2010
• Recent Regulatory Focus on Independent Contractor vs. Employee Status - Krieg DeVault's Employment Law Update, Seventh Annual Benefits in Brief, October 2010
• 2009 H1N1 Influenza: Pandemic Preparedness in the Workplace, November - December 2009
• Sexual Harassment training, 1998 - Present
• Union Avoidance training, 2000 - Present 
• EEOC Guidance on Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008 for Employers - Krieg DeVault’s Employment Law Update, Sixth Annual Benefits in Brief, September 2009
• Employee Free Choice Act:  What It Is and Its Impact on Employers - Krieg DeVault’s Employment Law Update, Sixth Annual Benefits in Brief, September 2009

Publications

• Answer to "What Steps Does A Business Have to Take When Terminating an Employee So A Claim (I.e. Discrimination, Age, Race) Isn't Filed Against the Employer Later On" included in "Business Law Q&A: Insights from some of the area's leading business attorneys", Northwest Indiana Business Quarterly (Summer - Fall 2011)
• "Translation Services Not Required:  The Civil Rights Act of 1964 Does Not Require Special Accommodations for Limited English Proficiency Individuals", 14 Harvard Latino Law Review (Summer 2011) 
• "Unfounded Allegations That John Yoo Violated His Ethical Obligations as a Lawyer:  A Critical Analysis of the Torture Memo", 25 Brigham Young University Journal of Public Law 1 (Mar. 2011) 
• "The case for tort reform", Northwest Indiana/Chicagoland BusINess Magazine (Fall 2009)
• Note, "A Disability Is Not a Trump Card:  The Americans With Disabilities Act Does Not Entitle Disabled Employees to Automatic Reassignment", 43 Valparaiso University Law Review 195 (2008)
• Comment, "The 'Tie' Goes to the State in Kansas v. Marsh:  A Small Victory for Proponents of the Death Penalty", 42 Valparaiso University Law Review 675 (2008)

Pro Bono Services

• United States Department of Justice, United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Indiana, Hammond, IN, Law Clerk, 2008
• American Red Cross, Hurricane Katrina’s Disaster Relief Operation, Biloxi, MS, On-Site Staff Relations Coordinator, 2005
• Columbus Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH, Activities Coordinator, 2004 - 2005
• Sexual Assault Response Network of Central Ohio, Columbus, OH, Helpline & Hospital Advocate, 2003 - 2005