Suzanne Summerlin

Experience

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  WCJB TV20 (ABC)

  Jan 2002 - Jan 2004

  Producer

  Produced nightly 11pm broadcast in conjunction with special investigative segments. Acted as evening assignment manager, responding to breaking news and selecting stories for broadcast.

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  WTVT-TV Fox 13 (Fox News Corp.)

  Jan 2004 - Apr 2004

  Freelance Producer

  Supervised programming for morning and afternoon broadcasts. Wrote and edited anchor and reporter copy for newscast and website.

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  Brighthouse Networks

  May 2004 - Sept 2008

  Senior Producer: Bay News 9/Central Florida News 13

  Managed team of reporters, editors, writers and producers to respond to daily news and uphold brand image both on-air and online. Designed programming for evening broadcast, wrote and edited reporter and anchor copy, and supervised production of live newscast. Allocated resources to respond to breaking local, national and international stories. Interviewed politicians, celebrities and other newsmakers for use in on-air reports.Responsible for 6-8 hours of programming daily.

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  ORGANIZING FOR AMERICA

  Oct 2008 - Nov 2008

  Campaign Field Communications Coordinator

  Crafted messaging, public relations and organized communications for union-members and volunteers during successful democratic re-election/election campaigns.

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  Amazo Productions

  Nov 2008 - Aug 2010

  Producer & Outreach Director, Coexist: An Independent Documentary Film

  Coexist investigates a unique and perilous reconciliation process instituted by Rwanda's government following the 1994 Genocide. Coexist applies the lessons learned in Rwanda with a comprehensive dispute resolution program being taught in US schools to de-escalate conflicts and prevent bullying. Implemented and organized pre-production fundraising events, oversaw elements of production and post-production of the film (writing and editing), wrote grant requests and submitted the finished film to festivals in order to increase visibility of the project.Coexist has been honored as a nominee for Best Documentary at the African Movie Academy Awards in Nigeria. Show less

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  University of Florida: Conflict Resolution Initiative

  Sept 2011 - Apr 2013

  Mediator

  Provided mediation services to students, faculty, and the community at large. Certified by the Dispute Resolution Center of the Florida Supreme Court.

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  Three Rivers Legal Services

  Sept 2011 - Dec 2011

  Housing Clinic Volunteer

  Legal aid volunteer for local, non-profit corporation which provides free civil legal services to low-income, eligible clients in seventeen counties throughout North Florida. Work on cases involving the acquisition, preservation or access to housing for homestead and shelter. The majority of housing cases involve assistance to tenants in eviction cases, whether by private landlords or under programs involving public assistance (Section 8 vouchers, public housing, or private subsidized housing).

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  Restoration of Civil Rights Project

  Sept 2011 - Dec 2011

  Legal Volunteer

  Volunteer for legal aid to help community members with felony convictions apply to have their civil rights, including the right to vote, restored.

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  Gainesville City Attorney's Office

  Jan 2012 - Apr 2012

  Legal Extern

  Researched and wrote legal and predictive memorandum on topics as varied as utility law, police legal work, labor and employment law, torts, civil rights litigation, land use planning and zoning. Responsible for oral presentations to the Gainesville City Commission and drafting ordinances.

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  American Federation of Government Employees

  May 2012 - Aug 2012

  Peggy Browning Fund Fellow

  Assignments included researching and preparing memos, appeals, and written arguments on labor, employment, and policy issues for various federal agencies, including the Transportation Security Administration and agencies under the jurisdiction of the Merit Systems Protection Board. Conducted client intake, witness interviews, and document review for court, administrative, and arbitration cases. Attended arguments at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

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  OFA Victory Counsel

  Aug 2012 - Nov 2012

  Law Clerk, Regional Voter Protection Counsel

  Investigated complaints of noncompliance at a number of polling sites, took affidavits, verified the complaint used to successfully win an emergency injunction to replace lost polling hours due to a bomb threat in Orange County.

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  Egan, Lev, & Siwica, P.A.

  Nov 2012 - Dec 2015

  Attorney

  Represented private and public-sector unions and their members in collective bargaining negotiations, impasse hearings, administrative actions, unemployment compensation appeals, labor arbitrations, and unfair labor practice hearings at the NLRB, as well as any subsequent appellate work.Represented workers and unions in a wide range of anti-discrimination, employment, and labor cases, including matters under Title VII, the Family and Medical Leave Act, and the Fair Labor Standards Act.

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  Florida Democratic Party

  Jul 2014 - Nov 2014

  Assistant Statewide Legal Counsel

  Managed and trained legal poll-watching attorneys and litigation team. Investigated complaints of noncompliance of law at a number of polling sites, filed emergency injunction actions to enforce voter protection laws.

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  Mooney, Green, Saindon, Murphy & Welch P.C.

  Jan 2016 - Jan 2018

  Attorney

  Represented pension and benefit plans of all sizes, providing services such as tax qualification, ERISA compliance, employer collection actions, responses to governmental investigations, securing rulings and exemptions from government agencies, defending against participant lawsuits, and general advisory support.Represented unions in the private and public sectors across various industries and fields, including mining, industrial sectors, service employees, education, transportation, and construction. Show less

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  National Federation of Federal Employees

  Jan 2018 - Oct 2020

  Associate General Counsel

  Duties include representing the union in all phases of federal court litigation—both trial and appellate—against federal agencies, as well as in a legal challenge against the President of the United States. Responsibilities span all phases of labor arbitrations, term and mid-term collective bargaining, and matters before the Federal Labor Relations Authority and National Labor Relations Board, among others.Managed complex litigation against President Donald Trump in NFFE et al. v. Trump et al., serving as lead counsel for NFFE and other unions in a successful challenge to the legality of three executive orders. This decision was published as AFGE v. Trump, 318 F. Supp. 3d 370 (2018) (later overturned on jurisdictional grounds).Acted as lead counsel in NFFE et al. v. Wilkie et al. (DCD Case No. 18-2778), challenging the unilateral repudiation of contractual and statutory rights for medical professionals working in VA hospitals.Led national negotiations and mediation on behalf of VA bargaining unit employees represented by NFFE, advocating against the agency through filing unfair labor practices, grievances, and requests for impasse resolution.Participated in a civil disobedience action, willingly facing arrest to protest the government shutdown of 2018-2019 on behalf of federal employees.Supervised internal union elections for officers in both the federal and private sectors, developing best practices and guidelines for union officers in alignment with the union’s constitution, bylaws, Department of Labor regulations, and other relevant standards. Show less

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  Federal Education Association NEA

  Oct 2020 - Jan 2025

  Deputy Executive Director and Deputy General Counsel

  Responsible for FEA-NEA’s internal union governance and the enforcement of collective bargaining agreements through arbitration, litigation, and proceedings before the FLRA. Manages the hiring and utilization of outside counsel and vendors, coordinates complex litigation among staff attorneys on behalf of FEA Washington, and provides strategic direction across all legal and policy matters involving the union.Advises on labor and employment issues, regulatory compliance, contract enforcement, risk assessment, and policy development. Leads labor contract negotiations for FEA in Europe and Asia and develops internal training resources to enhance the legal expertise of FEA leadership and Uniserv attorneys.Provides guidance to the FEA Board of Directors and FEA President, with responsibilities that include reviewing, updating, and implementing governance policies on topics such as discrimination and harassment, internal union hearings, and financial reporting.Oversees and addresses matters for staff, leadership, and members at FEA locations across Europe, Asia, and the U.S. FEA, as an affiliate of the National Education Association (NEA), represents federal sector teachers working at Department of Defense schools worldwide. Show less

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  Federal Labor Relations Authority

  May 2023 - Nov 2024

  Nominee - General Counsel

  In 2023, I was honored to be nominated by President Biden as General Counsel of the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA), navigating the full nominations process from White House vetting through a successful Senate confirmation hearing. I received a favorable vote out of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC), underscoring support for my qualifications and commitment to fair labor practices. However, despite a strong position for confirmation, the transition in administration following the 2024 election prevented a final vote. The nomination underscored my dedication to ethical governance and my deep commitment to supporting the rights of federal employees and the integrity of the federal workforce, furthering my passion for principled labor relations and effective advocacy at a national level. Show less

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  Summerlin Labor Strategies

  Jan 2025 - now

  Attorney At Law

  Summerlin Labor Strategies is dedicated to advancing the rights of federal employees and unions through expert counsel and innovative advocacy. With extensive experience in federal sector labor law, including serving as lead counsel in landmark cases such as NFFE v. Trump, AFGE v. Trump, and NFFE v. Willike, Suzanne brings unparalleled insight to navigating complex legal landscapes. Specializing in union guidance, litigation, and strategic labor solutions, Summerlin Labor Strategies is committed to fostering solidarity, empowering workers, and ensuring fair enforcement of labor laws across federal workplaces. Show less