Experience

• 

  Catholic charities of the diocese of charleston, inc. - immigration services

  Jun 2011 - Apr 2013

  Legal intern/pro bono volunteer

  • Prepared immigration relief petitions/applications for VAWA, U Visa, T Visa, DACA, family-based petitions, adjustment of status, naturalization, etc.• Created a bilingual information packet for immigrant survivors of intimate partner violence and sexual assault on eligibility for immigration relief programs• Participated in legal clinics to help young undocumented immigrants apply for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)• Educated local law enforcement officers about the purpose of U visas and the importance of U visa certifications• Conducted client intakes and interviews Show less

• 

  My sister's house

  Oct 2011 - May 2012

  Court advocate

  • Empowered survivors of intimate partner violence with information about order of protection proceedings and supportive services available to them• Accompanied survivors for order of protection hearings and provided moral support

• 

  Charleston pro bono legal services

  May 2012 - Jul 2012

  Ackerman summer fellow

  • Drafted pleadings for low-income pro se litigants• Conducted client outreach about services and client intake • Assisted clients with pre-hearing preparations and provided pro se empowerment • Researched issues on landlord-tenant issues, foreclosure, debt collection, unemployment benefits, and family law• Recruited and assisted pro bono attorneys from the South Carolina Bar

• 

  South carolina department of revenue

  Jul 2012 - Aug 2012

  Legal intern

  • Prepared department determinations in response to assessment appeals • Researched tax and regulatory law for the Office of General Counsel for Litigation

• 

  Aclu of south carolina

  Aug 2012 - Jun 2013

  Legal intern/pro bono volunteer

  • Drafted pleadings, appellate and trial briefs, and campaign materials to support ACLU litigation and policy advocacy efforts• Extensively researched and crafted arguments to support the First Amendment rights of street performers• Monitored voter suppression legislation introduced in SC and NC, and their subsequent litigation• Collected and analyzed data on law enforcement harassment of undocumented immigrants in SC • Screened and responded to complaints alleging civil liberties violations • Provided administrative support for the ACLU “Religious Freedom Goes to School” campaign• Volunteered at the 2013 Charleston Pride Festival as an ACLU of SC representative Show less

• 

  Charleston school of law

  Jan 2013 - Jun 2013

  Research assistant of professor john l.s. simpkins

  • Surveyed landmark Supreme Court cases of the 2012 October term and prepared presentation materials.• Prepared a summary of countries that recently changed their national symbols (flag, anthem, motto, coat of arms, etc.) - focusing on the political events that prompted the change and the procedural aspects of implementing the change. • Researched case law and media reports regarding voting irregularities in Uganda, Zambia, and Ghana.

• 

  National immigrant women advocacy project (niwap)

  Sept 2013 - Jul 2014

  Dean's fellow and policy intern

  • Advocated for policy and regulation changes that benefit immigrant victims of violence and their children • Provided legal research and created training materials for caseworkers, attorneys, judges, and law enforcement officials on public benefits, and family law issues, and immigration relief options for crime victims and their children• Analyzed laws, regulations, and policies affecting immigrant survivors of violence

• 

  Ayuda

  Jan 2014 - May 2014

  Project end legal intern

  • Researched remedies to correct harms caused by immigration consultant and tax preparer fraud• Assisted with litigation against businesses or individuals engaged in unauthorized practice of law• Filed consumer complaints for victims of unauthorized practice of law• Conducted client interviews and intakes

• 

  Ayuda

  Jul 2014 - Sept 2014

  Temporary staff attorney - ayuda's domestic violence and sexual assault program

  • Provided legal assistance to immigrant survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault with protection orders, divorce, child custody, and child support• Drafted court pleadings and assisted other staff attorneys with legal research

• 

  Whitman-walker health

  Sept 2014 - Jun 2021

  Supervising attorney

  • Represented clients in applying for health insurance and public benefits (including SSI/SSDI, Medicaid, Medicare, Medicare Savings Programs, SNAP, TANF, etc.) and appealing unfavorable outcomes• Facilitated access to medically necessary gender-affirming care for transgender people through appealing coverage denials with insurers and reporting them to the appropriate agencies • Represented clients in employment discrimination cases to challenge discriminatory employee health benefits (both private and federal sectors), to correct and remedy workplace harassment, and to ensure that employees’ rights to COBRA, FMLA, and disability insurance are respected• Liaised with the DC Office of Human Rights to ensure compliance with the DC Human Rights Act and the Language Access Act• Assisted transgender clients with name and gender marker changes on their identity documents• Represented Hispanic, transgender asylum seekers • Mentored DC Bar pro bono attorneys on Social Security cases• Presented at conferences, as well as training community members and pro bono counsel in Whitman-Walker Health practice areas (such as access to public benefits, insurance coverage for transition-related care, transgender cultural competency, etc.) Show less

• 

  Dc department of health

  Jul 2021 - Sept 2022

  Assistant general counsel

  • Provides legal advice to the Health Regulation and Licensing Administration (HRLA) on complexissues affecting healthcare facilities operating in the District.• Prepares memoranda, policy directives, and agency guidance documents regarding compliance with and enforcement of healthcare facility-related laws, regulations, policies, and practices.• Drafts regulation packages, proposed legislation, policy directives, agency guidelines, and trainingmaterials for healthcare facility surveyors.• Represents DC Health in administrative litigation before the Office of Administrative Hearings arisingfrom healthcare facility surveys and enforcement activities.• Provides agency counsel support for litigation and appeals handled by the Office of the AttorneyGeneral.• Responds to District agencies’ and public’s requests for assistance and information. Show less

• 

  Whitman-walker

  Oct 2022 - now

  Deputy director of legal services