DeDe Church is an attorney, employee relations counselor, workplace and University investigator, and nationally recognized trainer with more than 30 years of experience. She has trained thousands of employees and managers on how to create a productive, respectful culture. In addition, she has investigated well over 200 internal complaints, and guided her clients successfully through countless workplace conflicts.

Known for her humor and practicality, DeDe is often invited to deliver her high-energy workshops at distinguished conferences. For example, DeDe has been invited to speak at the Gulf Coast Symposium on HR Issues more than 18 times, and 100% of recent attendees said they would recommend her to their colleagues. In addition, she was rated the top score of “excellent” by 100% of the 200 people attending her presentation at the HR Southwest Conference.

As an expert investigator, DeDe relies upon a depth of knowledge and a consistent ability to find the facts without causing unnecessary disturbances. Witnesses often say they feel at ease when talking with her because of her approachable nature. In addition, DeDe is often retained to review investigation procedures and to train in-house HR and University professionals on investigation best practices. In recognition of her skills, DeDe has been retained to testify as an expert witness in employment cases more than 20 times by organizations including Uber, BP, and MD Anderson Cancer Center.

DeDe is a former Senior Assistant Attorney General for the State of Texas in the Civil Rights/General Litigation Division. During almost seven years there, she advised dozens of state agencies on the proper response to employee complaints, represented the State in over 30 trials involving discrimination in the workplace, and successfully argued before the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and the Texas Supreme Court. DeDe received the prestigious Presidential Citation from the President of the Texas State Bar in recognition of outstanding service to the citizens of Texas. Her Bachelor of Arts degree is from Louisiana State University, magna cum laude, and she received a Doctorate of Jurisprudence with Honors from the University of North Carolina School of Law in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.