Madelein Kantzabedian McCormick

Experience

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  Legal Aid Society

  Jun 2006 - Aug 2006

  Intern, Special Litigations

  Researched NY Department of Corrections and Office of Mental Health. Attended meetings with Department of Correction and Office of Mental Health to discuss ways in improving the ways incarcerated persons time is tracked. Created Excel spreadsheets documenting research obtained regarding length of stay in Office of Mental Health and time not credited to inmates.

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  ACLU of Northern California

  Aug 2007 - Mar 2008

  Intern, Police Practices Division

  Researched issues regarding police practices and current policies throughout California. Wrote memorandums regarding article and research collected.

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  Ella Baker Center for Human Rights

  Mar 2008 - Jul 2011

  Grant Writer

  • Maintained Ella Baker Center’s grant tracking system and worked with Executive Director, Director of Strategic Growth and staff to track and meet all deadlines.• Researched, developed, and wrote letters of interest, proposals and reports to family and corporate foundations.• Worked with Director of Strategic Growth on final submissions to ensure all deadlines were met.• Helped implement and maintain cultivation plan for foundations and program officers, including regularmeetings, mailings and e-communications.• Maintained and built Ella Baker Center’s database and attended meetings with program staff to help inform thefundraising process, including the clarification of deliverables, collection of program accomplishments, and mediacoverage.• Raised $1.4 million annually from foundations and family foundations. Show less

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  Pride Law Fund

  Jun 2012 - Aug 2012

  Summer Law Fellow

  Summer fellowship to work in the lesbian, gay,bisexual and transgender community in the non-profit sector, working in the area of civil rights and education, and direct legal services.

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  Transgender Law Center

  Jun 2012 - Aug 2012

  Law Clerk

  • Assisted in maintaining the organization’s national legal helpline for transgender and gender non-conforming individuals seeking legal advice, health and other services and/or information.• Researched and wrote to clients about access and information regarding legal name changes in their given state, prepared court documents for clients and consulted with clients regarding legal concerns and instructions on filing a name and/or gender change with the Superior Court.• Wrote memos and letters to state and federal agencies regarding employment, health insurance, housing and/or benefit discrimination.• Prepared discovery requests and answers.• Created a guide for transgender and gender nonconforming employees that explains the process in filing anemployment discrimination complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) under Title VII. Show less

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  Lambda Legal

  Aug 2012 - Dec 2012

  Law Clerk

  Assisted attorneys with investigation, research and drafting in ongoing cases, prospective cases, and amicus curiae briefs, in all areas of sexual orientation, gender identity, and HIV discrimination. Researched and drafted discussion paper regarding the importance of incorporating an intersectional analysis of race, class and sexual orientation in legal advocacy for a panel discussion at Columbia Law School.

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  Essex County Superior Court

  Jan 2013 - Apr 2013

  Judicial Intern - Family Division

  Chambers of the Honorable Claude Coleman and the Honorable Craig HarrisWrote summaries for Domestic Violence and Child Custody/DYFS cases. Attended court hearings and assisted in writing opinions. Legal research regarding New Jersey case law on process of service and the removal of children from their legal parent(s).

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  The New Leaders Council

  Jan 2013 - Jun 2013

  New Jersey State Fellow

  Fellowship involving training and support to become part of a generation of progressive political entrepreneurs - those who are leading industries, setting trends, and building institutions that support robust civic and political life in a global America.

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  Pride Law Fund

  Apr 2013 - Aug 2013

  Steven Richter Fellow

  Fellowship that supported my work in direct legal services and projects on issues of concern to individuals with HIV or AIDS.

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  Immigration Equality

  Jun 2013 - Dec 2013

  Law Clerk

  • Advocated on behalf of LGBT and HIV/AIDS immigrants seeking relief under asylum law, assistance in immigration detention facilities and green card sponsorship for their foreign national spouse.• Updated educational materials to reflect changing laws, assisted in representing clients in immigration proceedings, conducted intake interviews to determine a client’s eligibility for asylum or other forms of relief, drafted affidavits, and wrote briefs regarding the client’s eligibility for asylum, withholding and/or CAT relief.• Researched U.S. immigration law and policy and other documents for administrative proceedings Show less

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  Rutgers Law School

  Aug 2013 - May 2014

  • Assisted an individual client in filing and being granted immigration relief under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).• Researched statutes, regulations, case law and secondary sources to support finding for relief.• Conducted meetings with clients and witnesses to provide statements on behalf of allegations.• Wrote brief and witness affidavits, filled out required immigration forms, assisted clients in navigating socialsystems (e.g., educational and health systems), collected corroborating evidence and assisted with general case management. Show less

  • Clinical Law Student - Immigrant Rights Clinic

    Aug 2013 - May 2014

  • Research Assistant to Professors Anna Charlton and Gary Francione

    Aug 2013 - Dec 2013
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  New Jersey Courts

  Aug 2014 - Aug 2015

  Judicial Law Clerk to the Honorable Mirtha Ospina

  • Researched and analyzed policy and court decisions on applicable case law for fact findings and trials.• Wrote decisions for fact findings and trials in terminating parental rights, wrote motion decisions, case summariesand briefed Judge on upcoming cases on court calendar.• Wrote Judicial Opinions on the termination or non-termination of parental rights – all decisions were appealedregardless of Opinion’s finding and all written Opinions were upheld by the NJ Supreme Court. • Maintained relationships and contact with Department of Child Protection and Permanency and Public Defender’s office regarding pending litigation, as well as other state entities including the New Jersey Department of Human Services.• Managed a voluminous caseload while performing various courtroom and chambers responsibilities. Show less

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  More Than Words

  May 2016 - Dec 2019

  Director

  • Launched Boston-based social enterprise retail business in Fall 2018 focused on job training and youth development programming for system-involved youth.• Developed organizational infrastructure and curriculum, including but not limited to inventory lifecycle, monthly financial goal setting and reporting, and creation and maintenance of standard operating procedures.• Built systems to train staff and youth employees to manage operations and use data to drive business and performance decision-making.• Create organizational strategy, including financial planning, policy setting performance tracking on youth outcomes and social determinants of health, and business growth versus actual monthly and quarterly goals.• Managed and supervised staff on short- and long-term projects around business and project management principles, managing inventory and budgets, overseeing financial reporting and building and maintaining relationships in the community. Show less

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  City of Cambridge

  Feb 2020 - Aug 2021

  Chief Of Staff

  Office of Mayor Siddiqui• Advised Mayor on legislative and policy matters, with a focus on affordable housing and tenant protections, COVID-19 pandemic response for residents, small businesses and communities of color and equity in accessing City resources.• Co-Led, designed and executed Cambridge's guaranteed income project, Cambridge RISE (recurring income for success & empowerment).• Prepared Mayor for weekly City Council meetings, focusing on vote recommendations, questions and talking points.• Drafted Policy Orders based on Mayor’s FY21 Budget Initiatives, current events and the State’s policy strategies.• Wrote Press Releases to highlight Policy Orders and community outreach efforts.• Prepared Mayor’s speeches, presentations and talking points with internal and external stakeholders.• Developed and executed a variety of remote, strategic and inclusive community outreach events and projects to increase civic engagement among Cambridge’s diverse constituent base.• Developed and executed external communication plan through social media, weekly newsletter and regular PSAs.• Supervised and managed staff on various projects, including creating strategies to increase equity within the Cambridge Public School District, provide constituent support and services, execute an external communications strategy and advance policies as it aligns with the Mayor’s FY21 Budget Initiatives. Show less

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  Massachusetts State Senate

  Aug 2021 - now

  Chief Of Staff

  Office of Senator Rausch• Supervise and manage staff and interns to move Senator’s goals and objectives forward.• Oversee the administration of office goals and manage long-term legislative plans of the Senator.• Act as principal liaison to Senate Counsel, Senate President’s office, other member offices, local, state, federal elected government offices, and the media.• Act as advisor to the Senator on office management, legislative, budget, constituent, and district matters.• Draft, file and track the Senator’s legislation or budget amendments.• Oversee annual budget process as it pertains to the Senator’s and district priorities.• Analyze legislation and provide policy consultation in key areas of interest for the Senator.• Maintain good working relationships with other Senate offices, constituents, and other key stakeholders. Show less