Experience and Skills : Sophia's Knowledge

Back Home

Contact Me

Sophia's Knowledge
Phone: 501-819-0388

BARBARA KAY WINTERS : Experiences and Skills

The sole proprietor of Sophia's Knowledge, Barbara Kay Winters has been a member of the Iowa Bar since 1986. She has recently retired from the Principal Financial Group® and relocated closer to her family in the Little Rock. At The Principal®, Barbara specialized in ensuring the company's advertising of group insurance products complied with state and federal marketing requirements. Barbara's interest in making the complex understandable to non-experts goes back to her days with the Iowa Legislature of writing detailed analyzes of proposed laws.

In addition to her law degree, Barbara's formal training includes a Master's in Political Science specializing in Comparative Foreign Policy and undergraduate teaching degree. She is also a Fellow of the Life Office Management Association and HIPAA Privacy Professional. She is a published author in both political science and law.

Barbara was also been active in the Des Moines community theater working behind stage as stage manager and assistant director of numerous plays at many local venues. She has served on the boards of the Shakespeare on the Loose and the Central Iowa Mental Health Association as well as the organizing committees for the Planned Parenthood Book Sale and Drake Neighborhood Association house tour.

Read on for more detail about Barbara's experience and skills:

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
2006 - present, Sophia's Knowledge, Little Rock, AR
Sole Proprietor

Provide quality cost-effective information consulting to small businesses research with integrity, editing with sophistication, and writing with flare.

1987 - 2006, Principal Financial Group®, Des Moines, IA

Compliance Consultant

Created and researched manual comparing and digesting advertising laws and regulations in 50 states for use by personnel reviewing marketing and training material for group insurance products
Developed subject requirements for and collaborated on development of Access database for tracking marketing material in review
Provided detailed review of marketing material for legal compliance with creative consultation to bring problem language into compliance
Collaborated with writers and subject matter experts in of marketing material for new products
Collaborated on extensive enhancement of material used by newly acquired subsidiary

Litigation Consultant, Principal Casualty Company, 1990 - 1994

Significantly reduced backlog of claims in litigation both through personally handling claims and through advising claim personnel on handling litigation and arbitration cases.
Created and co-taught seminars on handling bodily injury claims, negotiations, and "good faith" to adjusters.
Analyzed and translated state regulations into compliant procedures for handling claims

Attorney, Principal Life Insurance Company, 1987 - 1990

Advised operating areas through researching legal questions relating to individual life and disability income insurance and annuities products
Assisted in resolution of customer service concerns
Provided legal input in product development
Supervised local counsel on litigation

Judicial Legal Assistant, Iowa Fifth Judicial District, 1986 - 1987

Researched and drafted draft orders and rulings for judges
Researched and wrote draft of proposed changes to the Iowa Rules of Civil Procedure relating to case management.
Investigated handling of traffic tickets on behalf of District Chief Judge

Research Analyst, Iowa House of Representatives, 1978 1983

Assisted legislative committees in development of legislation
Wrote analyses of legislation detailing impact of proposed laws
Investigated and responded to constituent problems
Wrote constituent newsletters

EDUCATION
1986, Drake University Law School, Des Moines, IA
J.D. with Honors

G.P.A: 3.56 on 4.0 scale
Class Rank: 6 out of 157
Order of The Coif

1975, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
M.A. in Political Science specializing in Comparative Foreign Policy

1970, Illinois State University, Normal, IL
B.S. in Political Science; double minors in History and Speech Education

ADDITIONAL TRAINING

LOMA Fellow, Life Management Institute

LOMA HIPAA Privacy Professional

LOMA Associate, Insurance Regulatory Compliance

LOMA Associate, Customer Service

HIAA Associate, Health Insurance

Associate in Claims

Project Management

Certificate in General Insurance

Information Mapping

Lexis and Westlaw research

PUBLICATIONS

Casenote, "Qualified Immunity: Davis v. Scherer (U.S.)." 34 Drake L. Rev. 873 (1984).
With Maurice A. East, "Targeting Behavior: A New Direction." In James N. Rosenau (ed.), In Search of Global Patterns (New York: Free Press (1977).
With Maurice A. East, "National Attributes and Scope of Action Measures: A Study of the Recipients of Foreign Policy Behavior." CREON Paper #38 (1975).

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES

1982 - 2001, Community Playhouse, Des Moines, IA Stage Manage/Assistant Director Back Stage Volunteer Front of House Volunteer Volunteer Awards 1987, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000
1983 - 1985, Central Iowa Mental Health Association Board of Directors
1993 - 1998, The Drama Workshop, Des Moines, IA Stage Manager/Assistant Director Producer, "Little Night Music", 1994
1989 - 1994, Drake Neighborhood Association, Des Moines, IA Drake Historic Tour Committee
1987 - 1998, Shakespeare on the Loose, Des Moines, IA Board of Directors
1988 - 1996, Planned Parenthood Book Sale, Des Moines, IA Staffing Chair, 1989