CHERYL CHARMAINE GODDARD-DORVILLE
Gros Islet, Saint Lucia
Summary
Highly skilled Labour Lawyer with 18-years of experience providing comprehensive legal counsel and representation to clients in employment and labour law matters. Demonstrated expertise in interpreting and applying labour laws, and collective bargaining agreements to protect and advocate for the rights of employees and employers alike. Proven track record of successfully handling complex cases and achieving favorable outcomes through negotiation, mediation, and litigation. Strong ability to advise clients on various employment-related issues such as discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, and workplace safety. Adept at drafting and reviewing employment contracts, workplace policies, and procedures to ensure compliance with labour laws and mitigate legal risks. Excellent communication, negotiation, and advocacy skills combined with a commitment to delivering exceptional client service. Committed to upholding ethical standards and promoting fair and equitable workplaces.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Principal Attorney-at-Law
Goddard-Dorville Legal
08.2017 - Current
- Advised clients on developing and implementing effective employment policies, procedures and practices that align with applicable labour laws and promote fair and equitable workplaces.
- Provided guidance on employee relations matters, including disciplinary actions, performance management, accommodation requests and employee grievances for retail, banking, tourism/hotel, medical and non-profit businesses.
- Helped clients navigate complex employment issues while maintaining positive employee relations.
- Assisted clients in understanding and complying with labour laws, regulations, and workplace safety standards. Identify risks and provide guidance to mitigate those risks through appropriate policies, procedures and training programmes.
- Analyzed complex legal issues, interpret statutes and regulations and apply legal principles to specific client situations.
- Understood clients' objectives and tailor legal solutions to meet their needs.
- Provided legal representation to clients in all aspects of labour and employment law, including advising on rights, obligations and legal risks related to employment relationships.
- Handled labour and employment disputes through negotiation, mediation, and litigation. Assess the merits of cases, develop strategies, conduct legal research, gather evidence, and represent clients in administrative proceedings before tribunals and in the courts.
- Explained available courses of action and possible repercussions of cases to clients.
- Drafted, reviewed and negotiated contracts and other legal documents to support client needs
- Negotiated settlements of disputes and litigation.
- Developed legal strategies to protect client interests and resolve disputes.
- Developed strategies to resolve cases in clients' best interest.
- Analyzed probable outcomes of cases using knowledge of legal precedents.
- Advocated for clients before the court in oral arguments by presenting facts and evidence in most favorable light.
- Created and finalized contracts and other legal documents for clients.
- Interpreted laws, rulings and regulations for individuals and businesses.
- Prepared and filed pleadings, motions and other legal documents in court proceedings.
- Researched and wrote contracts, agreements and proposals.
- Negotiated settlements with opposing counsel.
Associate Attorney-at-Law/Human Resource Manager
Floissac Fleming & Associates
11.2005 - 07.2017
- Conducted legal research and conferred with colleagues with subject matter expertise to develop strategies and arguments in preparation for presentation of cases.
- Provided legal advice to companies and small businesses
- Resolved post-judgment litigation settlements and default judgment orders in favor of clients.
- Represented clients in civil litigation in High Court
- Drafted, reviewed and negotiated contracts and other legal documents to support client needs.
- Researched and interpreted laws, rulings and regulations to advise clients on business and legal transactions.
- Filed timely case pleadings to meet firm deadlines.
- Provided legal counsel to clients on diverse business, financial and civil matters.
- Negotiated settlements of disputes and litigation.
- Assisted clients in formation, governance and dissolution of businesses.
- Advised clients on corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions and other business matters.
- Headed Firm's Intellectual Property Department and advised clients on trademark registration, renewals, assignments, oppositions.
- Advised clients, including large hotels, banks, telecom companies and other commercial houses on labour law and employment matters.
- Responsible for developing and implementing HR policies, procedures and practices that comply with employment laws and regulations.
- handled employee grievances, disciplinary actions and conflict resolution
- responsible for setting performance goals, conducting performance evaluations, providing feedback to employees, training and development initiatives.
- coordinated the design and delivery of training programmes to enhance employee skills and knowledge
Education
Bar Vocational Course (BVC) - Law
Northumbria Law School
Newcastle-upon-Tyne07.2005
LL.M - International Commercial Law/Intellectual Property
University of Northumbria
Newcastle-upon-Tyne2004
LL.B. - Law
University of London,
London, England 07.2003
Bachelor of Arts - English And Linguistics
University of The West Indies
Mona Campus, Jamaica07.1996
Skills
- Expertise in Labour Laws and statutes
- Knowledge of employment contracts, collective bargaining agreements, wages, workplace safety regulations, discrimination laws and other relevant legislation
- Strong skills in dispute resolution including negotiating settlements, representing clients at disciplinary hearings, mediation and litigation proceedings
- Ability to assess strengths and weaknesses of case and develop effective legal strategies to advocate for clients' rights
- Proficient in conducting comprehensive legal research and analysis and staying updated with evolving labour laws, court decisions, legal precedents
- Expertise in drafting, reviewing and negotiating employment contracts, workplace policies, collective agreements, severance packages and other employment-related documents to ensure compliance with legal requirements, protecting clients' interests, and addressing potential issues or disputes
- Experience in handling employment disputes eg wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment and workplace misconduct
- Experience in presenting cases before labour tribunal
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills to assess legal issues, identify potential risks and develop effective strategies to resolve disputes
- Upholds high ethical standards and maintains professional conduct to include confidentiality, avoiding conflicts of interest and adhering to professional codes of conduct
- Committed to continuous learning, staying updated with legal developments and new legal trends and challenges
Accomplishments
- Successfully represented clients (including bankers, medical practices, international non-profits, musical societies, doctors) in a wide range of labour and employment disputes, including wrongful termination, constructive dismissal, discrimination claims, resulting in favourable settlements of matters before labour tribunal.
- Negotiated collective bargaining agreements on behalf of employers resulting in improved employee benefits
- Developed and implemented comprehensive employment policies and procedures for clients, ensuring compliance with labour laws, minimizing risks, and promoting fair and inclusive workplace culture.
- Advised multinational corporations, including banks, embassys, the Peace Corp, non-profit organizations on cross-border employment matters, including international labour standards, and compliance with local employment laws in multiple jurisdictions.
- Provide training sessions to managers and employees on employment law and compliance, workplace harassment prevention, and diversity and inclusion initiatives, resulting in increased awareness and a more respectful work environment.
- Present bi-annual seminars for the Saint Lucia Chamber of Commerce since 2017, on various aspects of labour and employment law demonstrating thought leadership and contributing to the professional development of peers.
- Drafted and assisted in implementation of various workplace policies, specific to Covid-19 Pandemic, for numerous companies, businesses and public agencies.
Affiliations
- Member of the Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn
- Member of the Bar Association of Saint Lucia
- Contributor "Getting the Deal Through - Trademarks" 2014 - present
- Deputy Chairperson Legal Aid Authority Board (Saint Lucia) - 2016 -2021
- Chairperson Legal Aid Authority Board 2021
- Member Board of Governors Sir Arthur Lewis Community College 2016 - 2018
- Member Disciplinary Committee of the Bar Association of Saint Lucia 2015 - present
Certification
Saint Lucia Bar Association Practicing Certificate valid through 31st December 2023
Timeline
Principal Attorney-at-Law
Goddard-Dorville Legal
08.2017 - Current
Associate Attorney-at-Law/Human Resource Manager
Floissac Fleming & Associates
11.2005 - 07.2017
Bar Vocational Course (BVC) - Law
Northumbria Law School
LL.M - International Commercial Law/Intellectual Property
University of Northumbria
LL.B. - Law
University of London,
Bachelor of Arts - English And Linguistics
University of The West Indies
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