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Dre Cetra

Dre Cetra

Sarah Lawrence College Newspaper

Followers of Dre Cetra329 followers
location of Dre CetraBrooklyn, New York, United States

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  • Timeline

  • About me

    Deputy Director of Legal Services

  • Education

    • University of Oxford

      2013 - 2014
      Study Abroad Program British History & Literature, Death Penalty Policy, Fiction Writing

      Activities and Societies: The Oxford Student (News Staff Writer); Ukelele Club Studied British Industrialization, the 19th Century Industrial Novel, Architectural History, Educational Policy, and Death Penalty Policy in the U.S. and abroad.

    • The George Washington University Law School

      2015 - 2018
      Juris Doctor (J.D) Civil Rights/Public Interest Law

      Activities and Societies: IRAP, Volunteer Caseworker; George Washington Journal of Energy & Environmental Law (JEEL), Articles Editor; Public Interest Law Brief (PILB), Leadership; Lambda Law Society, Member; Justice Ventures International (JVI), Volunteer Class of 2018

    • Sarah Lawrence College

      2011 - 2015
      Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Investigative Journalism, Criminal Justice Policy, History

  • Experience

    • The Phoenix

      Sept 2011 - May 2014
      Sarah Lawrence College Newspaper

      Worked as Managing Editor (2012-13) and a contributing staff writer since 2011.

    • The Norwood News

      May 2013 - Aug 2013
      Staff Writer

      Responsible for coverage of local crime, health, education, politics, and real estate.

    • Law Office of Michael K. Bachrach

      Jul 2013 - Aug 2013
      Intern and Research Assistant

      Researched cases and attended trial proceedings.

    • The Oxford Student

      Oct 2013 - Jun 2014
      Oxford University Student Newspaper

      News Staff Writer (2013)

    • Solitary Watch

      Jun 2014 - May 2015
      Research Assistant Intern

      Researched and compiled database statistics about the use of solitary confinement in U.S. prisons. Compiled news article on re-entry after long-term confinement, and gathered information about alternatives to the use of solitary for people with mental illness.

    • The Lancet

      Jul 2014 - Aug 2014
      Freelance intern

      Freelance writer and intern. Published news coverage of the Middle Eastern Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV).

    • The Office of Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand

      Sept 2014 - Dec 2014
      Intern

      Caseworker in Constituent Services Department; Foreclosure, Eviction, and Employment Discrimination

    • The International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP)

      Jan 2016 - May 2018
      Volunteer Caseworker

      Assisted team to help an Afghani translator and his family. Special Immigration Visas (SIV). Attended case and group meetings, collaborated with other student volunteers and supervising participants.

    • The Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project (MAIP)

      Mar 2016 - Jan 2017
      Summer Law Clerk, MAIP Paul Khoury Fellowship; Screening Volunteer

      Screening:Reviewed criminal case file as a screening volunteer to determine whether case warranted further MAIP investigation. Compiled five-page memo detailing case history, evidence, testimony, and potential leads. Attended final case meeting to present findings to screening director and MAIP staff members.Summer Law Clerk, Investigations: (May-July 2016)Review case files, including trial transcripts, police reports, prisoner correspondence, forensic reports and other evidence to determine investigatory plan. Work alongside investigators to interview witnesses, obtain statements, and find legal pathways to client advocacy. Prepare policy-related memorandums on Virginia state habeas claims and access to discovery. Show less

    • The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

      Sept 2016 - Apr 2017
      Law Clerk

      Compiled fact sheets on equal pay, and memorandum on international Equal Pay initiatives for the Commissioner Burrows’ Office of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Helped prepare remarks on diversity in public service, and compiled research on background checks in hiring procedures; drafted potential reforms and attended interagency meetings.

    • San Francisco District Attorney's Office

      May 2017 - Aug 2017
      2L Summer Law Clerk

      Prepared for and conducted preliminary hearings and arraignments, wrote pre-trial and pre-hearing motions including oppositions to motions to dismiss and to suppress evidence under supervision of ADAs. Argued motions to dismiss and bail motion; drafted three strikes memorandum.

    • D.C. Law Students in Court, Criminal Division

      Aug 2017 - May 2018
      Student Attorney, D.C. Law Students in Court

      Representing indigent clients in misdemeanor and domestic violence cases under the supervision of licensed attorneys at D.C. Superior Court. Investigating cases, interviewing witnesses, client meetings & counseling, motion writing, preparation for trial & sentencing.

    • The Law Offices of Gina Mendola Longarzo, LLC

      Sept 2018 - Jul 2020

      Law Clerk/Fellow: Serving as a legal fellow through GW’s Pathways to Practice Fellowship, to draft complaints, pleadings, and motions for civil rights, anti-discrimination, and harassment cases; conducting legal research and assisting with trial preparation including briefing complex legal issues for a federal trial.Summer 2014: Research assistant, composed briefs and notice of tort claims.Summer 2015: helped draft ineffective assistance of counsel claim for criminal appeal.

      • Associate

        Jan 2019 - Jul 2020

      • Law Clerk

        Sept 2018 - Jan 2019

    • Legal Aid Society of Mid New York

      Jul 2020 - Dec 2021
      Staff Attorney

      Provided trauma-informed advocacy for survivors of domestic violence in family court matters throughout three upstate New York counties pursuant to VOCA. Represented individuals in custody, child support, neglect/abuse cases, wills & estate planning and matrimonial actions. Offered additional advice and counsel on related issues (i.e., safety planning, emergency relocation assistance, reclamation of personal property, access to benefits, and counseling services). Accompanied clients to grand jury testimony and provided other related advocacy with District Attorney's Office and other community partners. Show less

    • Project Guardianship

      Dec 2021 - now

      • Deputy Director of Legal Services

        Jun 2024 - now

      • Senior Staff Attorney

        Aug 2023 - Jun 2024

      • Staff Attorney

        Dec 2021 - Aug 2023

  • Licenses & Certifications

  • Honors & Awards

    • Awarded to Dre Cetra
      John F. Evans Award D.C. Law Students in Court Program May 2018 Awarded for outstanding achievement in the criminal division of the D.C. Law Students in Court Program.