Sonia Johnson J.D., LL.M., LL.M., SPHR, SHRM-SCP — Co-Founder

I am a globally recognized expert in Employee Relations, Human Resources, EEO matters, Dispute Resolution, and Investigations, known for creating Trauma‑Informed and Emotionally Intelligent policies and processes that create measurable and sustained success for both employers and employees. With more than a decade of experience leading complex investigations, resolving high‑stakes workplace issues, and designing modern ER/HR frameworks. As a Master Investigator, I lead complex investigations with advanced legal analysis, and defensible documentation. My work spans misconduct, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, business‑conduct violations, and systemic organizational issues. I use data, trend analysis, and evidence‑based insights to identify patterns, assess risk, and execute informed, ethical, and legally sound decisions. I also advise organizations on the safe and compliant use of AI‑enabled HR and ER tools, helping reduce legal exposure and prevent bias‑related issues. As a Mediator and Ombuds, I coach and train leaders and employees in emotionally intelligent leadership, conflict navigation, communication, and harm‑repair practices. My approach equips organizations with the skills and frameworks needed to manage complexity, strengthen engagement, and achieve consistent, high‑quality outcomes. Core Strengths • Designing modern, trauma‑informed and emotionally intelligent ER/HR policies and processes that reduce risk and drive success for both employers and employees. • Leading complex, high‑risk investigations as a globally recognized Master Investigator with fair, consistent, and defensible outcomes. I also excel in building enterprise‑level dispute‑resolution and conflict‑management frameworks that reinforce accountability and long‑term stability. • Using data, trend analysis, and evidence‑based insights to identify systemic issues and guide ethical, legally sound decisions. • Coaching leaders and teams in emotionally intelligent leadership, communication, conflict navigation, and harm‑repair practices. • Applying advanced legal expertise as an attorney specializing in Employment and Labor Law, combined with Ombuds principles and systems thinking, to resolve complex issues and strengthen organizational processes. • Advising on the safe, compliant use of AI‑enabled HR/ER tools to reduce legal exposure and prevent bias‑related litigation. • Creating scalable, compliance‑aligned ER/HR frameworks that support operational excellence and enable employees and leaders to thrive together.

Stackforce AI infers this person is a leader in HR and Employee Relations, specializing in compliance and dispute resolution.

Experience: 15 yrs 6 mos

Skills

Employee Relations
Human Resources
Investigations
Dispute Resolution
Standards Development
Framework Design
Compliance

Career Highlights

Globally recognized expert in Employee Relations and Dispute Resolution.
Master Investigator with a decade of experience in complex investigations.
Pioneer in Trauma-Informed and Emotionally Intelligent workplace practices.

Work Experience

The City of Seattle

SENIOR INVESTIGATOR, HRIU-The Human Resources Investigations Unit. (4 yrs 8 mos)

ClearCall Solutions LLC.

Director Of Employee Relations, Human Resources and Compliance (1 yr 3 mos)

The Society For Employee Relations Inc. (theSFER)

Director, Employee Relations and Human Resources- The Society For Employee Relations (12 yrs 4 mos)

American Standards For Testing and Materials (ASTM)

Chair, U.S. and International Human Resources, Employee Relations and AI Standards Creation Program (7 yrs 10 mos)

AmhCard Inc.

Senior Director Employee Relations and Human Resources (HR) (3 yrs 3 mos)

Education

LL.M. (Master of Laws-Employment at Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University

Master of Laws (LL.M.) at Arizona State University

Trained Dispute Resolution Professional- at Arizona State University College of Law

NY State Bar Admission at Admitted to the New York State Bar

Certified Senior Professional of Human Resources (SPHR) at Society for Human Resources Management/Human Resources Certification Institute

Sonia Johnson J.D., LL.M., LL.M., SPHR, SHRM-SCP

Co-Founder

United States15 yrs 6 mos experience

Most Likely To SwitchHighly Stable

Key Highlights

Globally recognized expert in Employee Relations and Dispute Resolution.
Master Investigator with a decade of experience in complex investigations.
Pioneer in Trauma-Informed and Emotionally Intelligent workplace practices.

Stackforce AI infers this person is a leader in HR and Employee Relations, specializing in compliance and dispute resolution.

Contact

Skills

Core Skills

Employee RelationsHuman ResourcesInvestigationsDispute ResolutionStandards DevelopmentFramework DesignCompliance

Other Skills

Executive CoachingStrategic Human Resources LeadershipEmployee TrainingAnalytical SkillsConflict ManagementData AnalysisCommunicationState & Federal LawsPolicy InterpretationReliefBackground ChecksRehabilitationLaw EnforcementOutreach ProgramsEmployment Discrimination

About

Experience

15 yrs 6 mos

Total Experience

5 yrs 4 mos

Average Tenure

12 yrs 4 mos

Current Experience

The city of seattle

SENIOR INVESTIGATOR, HRIU-The Human Resources Investigations Unit.

Feb 2020 – Oct 2024 · 4 yrs 8 mos

I served as a Master level Investigator for the City of Seattle and was one of four founding members of the City’s centralized Investigations Department, helping establish the investigative standards & documentation used citywide. I conducted high stakes investigations across a large, unionized & nonunionized matters in discrimination, retaliation, harassment, misconduct & high conflict disputes.
I was recognized by the City & employees for my Trauma Informed & Emotionally Intelligent investigative work, known for delivering humane, thorough & legally sound findings that strengthened trust & reduced harm. I applied attorney level legal analysis, advanced interviewing skill & a holistic approach to produce litigation resistant & effective outcomes.
INVESTIGATIONS AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION
Conducted complex discrimination, retaliation, harassment, misconduct & related investigations for City departments
Delivered legally sound, defensible findings that upheld organizational integrity & trust
Recognized for professionalism, fairness, Trauma Informed expertise & exceptional outcomes
Received an award for investigative excellence, leadership & harm repair policies & practices
HR AND ER LEADERSHIP
Used investigative & ER data to reshape policies, guide leadership & reduce conflict & litigation risk
Served as a founding member of the Investigations Department, establishing standards, documentation systems & outcome management practices
Applied Trauma Informed & Emotionally Intelligent methods to reduce harm, support wellbeing & improve outcomes
Strengthened compliance through attorney level legal analysis & consistent application
TRAINING AND ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Delivered training for leaders & employees on ER best practices, dispute resolution & investigative techniques
Provided leadership guidance that improved decision making, reduced disruption & enhanced compliance
Updated harm repair & engagement focused policies & practices

Strategic Human Resources LeadershipEmployee TrainingInvestigationsDispute Resolution

Clearcall solutions llc.

Director Of Employee Relations, Human Resources and Compliance

Feb 2014 – May 2015 · 1 yr 3 mos

Led the organization’s HR, Employee Relations & Compliance function, formalizing core systems, policies and contracts to support a Trauma Informed & Emotionally Intelligent workplace. Built structured HR, ER, Investigations & Compliance practices that strengthened legal compliance, improved culture and supported organizational performance. The company has since been dissolved.
HR, ER & COMPLIANCE OPERATIONS
Formalized the HR, ER & Compliance functions, establishing policies, procedures, documentation systems & governance practices
Drafted all core HR, ER & Compliance documents, including handbooks, contracts, corrective action frameworks, investigation protocols & training materials
Built end‑to‑end HR, ER & Compliance operations aligned with legal standards, organizational needs & Trauma Informed policies
EMPLOYEE RELATIONS & INVESTIGATIONS
Applied Trauma Informed & Emotionally Intelligent approaches to ER issues, resolving disputes, reducing conflict and ensuring practices were legally defensible & operationally effective
Customized ER, Investigations & Training to improve trust, culture & operational efficiency
Developed non‑punitive performance improvement and employee‑growth systems that increased engagement & productivity
COMPLIANCE & ORGANIZATIONAL IMPACT
Delivered compliance training & coaching that strengthened adherence to legal, regulatory & organizational requirements
Used data and investigative insights to draft policies, strengthen controls & reduce exposure
Recognized by the Chief Financial Officer for strategic policy creation, effective staff training & drafting humane, emotionally intelligent policies

Executive CoachingStrategic Human Resources LeadershipEmployee RelationsCompliance

The society for employee relations inc. (thesfer)

Director, Employee Relations and Human Resources- The Society For Employee Relations

Jan 2014 – Present · 12 yrs 4 mos

I am the Co‑Founder and HR and Employee Relations Director of SFER, recognized for advancing Trauma Informed and Emotionally Intelligent workplace practices. I specialize in Employee Relations and Human Resources and work as the Master level investigator handling complex cases. I apply my legal expertise supported by a J.D. and two LL.M. degrees, along with data driven insight and emotionally intelligent leadership, to strengthen HR and ER decision making, reduce organizational risk, and create success for employers and employees. My work protects organizations from costly litigation, resolves conflict early, and builds engaged and high performing employees through creating modern, compliance aligned policies.
HR AND ER LEADERSHIP
Manage HR and ER operations to reduce litigation exposure through defensible investigations and legally sound decision making
Use data analytics to identify trends, predict ER risk, and guide strategic interventions
Conduct HR, ER, AI and related audits, to strengthen compliance
Represent the organization in EEOC proceedings, administrative hearings, and related regulatory matters
INVESTIGATIONS AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION
Serve as a Master level investigator delivering defensible findings across EEO, misconduct, retaliation, harassment, fraud, & complex conflict
Received five client and employee recognition awards for exceptional ER/dispute resolution outcomes. Resolve high visibility disputes with strategic clarity and legal precision
MEDIATION, OMBUDS, AND CONFLICT NAVIGATION
Provide confidential mediation and Ombuds services that restore communication, prevent escalation, and resolve sensitive disputes
Apply trauma informed methods to address high impact conflict and support harm repair
POLICY, TRAINING, AND ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Design Trauma Informed and Emotionally Intelligent policies that support harm repair and improve engagement
Deliver coaching and training for leaders and HR and ER teams

Executive CoachingStrategic Human Resources LeadershipEmployee RelationsHuman Resources

American standards for testing and materials (astm)

Chair, U.S. and International Human Resources, Employee Relations and AI Standards Creation Program

Mar 2012 – Jan 2020 · 7 yrs 10 mos

I oversee a seasonal, multi‑team initiative developing modern, humane and globally aligned Human Resources and Employee Relations standards. Guide the creation of practical, evidence‑based frameworks that modernize HR, ER, investigations, compliance and AI governance across U.S. and international workplaces. Draw on expertise in investigations, compliance, Emotional Intelligence, Trauma Informed practices and AI risk to ensure standards are ethical, defensible and responsive to evolving workforce needs.
STANDARDS DEVELOPMENT & FRAMEWORK DESIGN
Develop contemporary HR, ER, investigations and compliance standards that are actionable, scalable and globally relevant
Embed Emotional Literacy and Trauma Informed Approach into workplace expectations, leadership practices and organizational systems
Establish standards for ethical, transparent and fair use of AI, technology and data in HR and ER decision‑making
Modernize ER, investigations and compliance frameworks to ensure consistency, fairness and legally defensible outcomes
RESEARCH, ANALYSIS & GLOBAL ALIGNMENT
Provide strategic oversight for six teams, committees and subcommittees conducting research, drafting standards and validating global applicability
Integrate employment law developments to support balanced, strategic outcomes for employees and employers
Strengthen employer‑employee relationships by promoting balanced workplace power dynamics and transparent processes
IMPACT ON WORKPLACES & ORGANIZATIONS
Produce forward‑looking standards that enhance engagement, growth and organizational performance
Establish AI governance and auditing standards for hiring, performance evaluation and workplace decision‑making, reducing legal exposure and strengthening defensible practices
Create auditing frameworks for AI‑enabled HR tools to identify bias, ensure compliance and support ethical, transparent use of technology

Strategic Human Resources LeadershipEmployee TrainingStandards DevelopmentFramework Design

Amhcard inc.

Senior Director Employee Relations and Human Resources (HR)

Nov 2010 – Feb 2014 · 3 yrs 3 mos

DIRECTOR OF HR, EMPLOYEE RELATIONS & COMPLIANCE — AMhCARD
Oversaw the HR, Employee Relations & Compliance function for AmhCard Inc., a national and international technology company, designing data‑driven HR, ER & global compliance systems that strengthened legal alignment, improved culture and supported international operations. Implemented Trauma Informed and Emotionally Intelligent practices that enhanced employee engagement and organizational performance. Held partial ownership during tenure. The company was later acquired by an international organization.
HR, ER & COMPLIANCE OPERATIONS
Developed the formal HR, ER & Compliance structure, establishing policies, procedures, documentation systems & coaching programs
Drafted core HR, ER & Compliance documents, including handbooks, policies, corrective action frameworks, investigation protocols & training materials
Built data‑driven HR and ER processes that improved workforce effectiveness and informed policy creation
EMPLOYEE RELATIONS & INVESTIGATIONS
Applied Trauma Informed & Emotionally Intelligent approaches to ER issues, resolving disputes, reducing conflict and ensuring practices were legally defensible & operationally effective
Implemented fair, consistent investigative and dispute‑resolution processes that reduced internal conflict & litigation risk
Developed non‑punitive performance improvement and employee‑growth systems that increased engagement & productivity
GLOBAL COMPLIANCE & ORGANIZATIONAL IMPACT
Delivered compliance training & coaching that strengthened adherence to legal, regulatory & organizational requirements
Used data and investigative insights to update policies, strengthen controls & reduce exposure
Recognized for ethical, proactive and inclusive HR & ER practices that improved engagement, retention & global workforce performance