Experience

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  Howard university

  Jan 2005 - Jan 2008

  Law student
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  Equality advocates pennsylvania

  May 2006 - Aug 2006

  Samuel s. fels fund intern- legal clinic advocate

  Conducted legal research and writing on potential and ongoing litigation. Produced resource for attorneys and judges based on legal and social scientific research on second parent adoption procedure in all Pennsylvanian judicial districts. Administered client intake. Accompanied clients in court proceedings. Drafted uncontested petitions. Observed state legislative lobbying. Engaged in grassroots organizing and outreach.

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  Outlaw- howard university

  Jan 2007 - Jan 2008

  President

  Recruited membership, allies, and developed student leadership. Researched and drafted public communications documents and advocated for LGBT rights to university decision-makers. Strategized and coordinated campaigns on LGBT related issues of particular relevance to predominantly black communities, including: religious perspectives on LGBT rights; combating homophobia in language and school practices; legal aspects of LGBT discrimination; transphobia in the prison system; and university support for discrimination and discriminatory job recruitment. Built coalition of LGBT law student groups in DC area. Trained members, students, and allies on effective legal, organizing, and communications strategies to combat homophobia and pressure decision-makers to adopt antidiscrimination policies. Show less

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  Aclu racial justice project

  May 2007 - Aug 2007

  Legal intern

  Conducted legal research and writing on potential and ongoing litigation. Engaged in comprehensive analysis of “No Child Left Behind” compliance. Examined Due Process protections for students in disciplinary hearings. Performed analysis on warrantless searches of students by police officers working in schools. Assisted production of report on post-Hurricane Katrina Mississippi. Evaluated quantitative data on school disciplinary actions. Performed document review. Attended litigation strategy meetings with civil rights coalitions. Show less

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  Howard university school of law- civil rights clinic

  Aug 2007 - Jan 2008

  Student attorney

  Engaged in legal research and writing on potential and ongoing litigation. Drafted amicus curiae brief submitted to the California and Iowa highest courts. Conducted historical and social scientific research. Assisted development of innovative legal theories in the area of civil rights education law. Assisted in the counsel of clients. Attended civil rights litigation strategy meetings. Performed educational equality legal research. Organized students and engaged in legal research surrounding the “Jena 6” case. Aided Howard University Fair Housing Clinic on housing discrimination cases. Show less

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  The bar association of san francisco

  Jan 2009 - Sept 2011

  Volunteer eviction defense attorney

  Engaged in legal research and writing on potential and ongoing litigation. Developed empowering litigation strategies. Conducted discovery. Counseled clients. Negotiated favorable settlement agreements. Successfully litigated in limited jurisdiction landlord-tenant civil courts. Advocated for clients to secure or maintain public benefits.

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  Education rights center at howard university

  Dec 2009 - Dec 2011

  Research fellow

  Drafted policy briefs on Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and on litigation strategies in the pursuit of educational equality. Performed legal and policy research on disparities in educational funding and outcomes. Analyzed data and assisted preparation of reports on special education, school discipline, and access to curriculum. Participated in policy advocacy strategy development. Assisted production of parental involvement and empowerment materials. Drafted grant proposals. Assisted compilation, editing, and writing for education law casebook. Show less

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  Public counsel

  Dec 2011 - Mar 2017

  Engaged in legal advocacy and litigation to secure and maintain benefits administered by the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) on behalf of low-income veterans with disabilities experiencing homelessness. Staffed clinic on-site at the West Los Angeles VA campus serving disabled veterans experiencing homelessness . Collaborated with social service and activist organizations and coalitions to ensure access to benefits and support programs and further the rights and interests of veterans. Engaged in policy analysis and advocacy regarding public benefits, the civil rights of veterans and persons experiencing homelessness, access to affordable housing, and other civil rights issues. Provided technical assistance to support impact litigation. Provided legal counsel, advice, and referrals for low-income veterans, and their families and caretakers, concerning a wide range of substantive legal topics including: subsidized housing, eviction and tenants rights, federal, state, and county public benefits, civil rights and freedom from discrimination, tickets and warrants, consumer rights and debt, and other poverty-related legal topics. Prepared reports and supporting materials to track outcomes and efficacy of services provided. Recruited, trained, and supervised law clerks and pro bono attorneys. Show less Established, managed, and staffed legal clinic on-site at public housing development in Watts. Established, managed, and staffed legal clinic on-site at homeless community center in Hollywood. Managed county-funded program assisting persons experiencing homelessness address low-level misdemeanors and infractions. Staffed Social Security clinic on-site at supportive housing development in Skid Row. Engaged in policy analysis and advocacy regarding public benefits, subsidized housing, and homeless rights issues. Assisted preparation and provided technical assistance to support impact litigation. Litigated housing, consumer rights, and benefits cases, including pleadings, motions, brief writing, depositions, and discovery, among other tasks. Provided legal counsel, advice, and referrals for low-income persons concerning a wide range of substantive legal topics including: subsidized housing, eviction, and tenants rights; federal, state, and county public benefits; civil rights and freedom from discrimination; tickets and warrants; consumer rights and debt; and other poverty-related legal topics. Show less

  • Staff Attorney- Center for Veterans' Advancement

    Jan 2015 - Mar 2017

  • Staff Attorney- Homelessness Prevention Law Project

    Dec 2011 - Mar 2017
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  National lawyers guild- los angeles

  Jan 2013 - Mar 2020

  Executive board member
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  Working peoples law ctr

  Jun 2017 - Sept 2017

  Staff attorney

  Temporary position providing low-fee family law and criminal defense services. Managed extensive caseload. Drafted legal documents, petitions, motions, declarations, and disclosure documents. Represented lower income families in custody, child support, dissolution, and restraining order actions. Advocated for domestic violence survivors and children. Engaged in negotiations and litigation.

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  Basta, inc.

  Oct 2017 - now

  Director of appellate litigation

  Represented lower-income tenants in eviction actions, including motions, pre-trial advocacy, and jury trials. Litigated slum housing and overpayment cases. Appealed adverse rulings in the Appellate Division of the Superior Court and in the Court of Appeal. Engaged in policy analysis and advocacy. Coordinated with community organizations and tenants associations to further the human right to housing, freedom from discrimination, protections for people with disabilities, and the alleviation of slum conditions and displacement. Managed county program providing funds for nonprofit organizations who represent tenants to appeal. Show less