Michael Yoakum

Experience

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  U.S. District Court - Northern District of Texas

  May 2013 - Jul 2013

  Intern

  • Drafted judicial opinions and findings, conclusions, and recommendations for U.S. District Court Judges.• Conducted in-depth legal research to support term clerks in evaluating party briefs and case precedents.

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  Law Offices of Ed Menkin

  Jul 2014 - Dec 2014

  Law Clerk

  • Collaborated with supervising attorney to develop comprehensive strategies for complex criminal defense cases.• Analyzed discovery materials to identify critical evidence and strengthen case arguments.• Authored detailed motions and discovery requests.

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  Syracuse University College of Law - Criminal Defense Clinic

  Aug 2014 - Dec 2014

  Student Attorney

  • Conducted client interviews to assess legal needs and develop tailored defense strategies.• Represented clients in court proceedings, including motion hearings, pre-trial conferences, and trial advocacy.• Prepared legal documents, including motions and discovery requests, to support case objectives and improve outcomes.

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  American Bar Association, Center for Human Rights, International Criminal Court Project

  Jan 2015 - May 2015

  Intern

  • Researched and wrote policy memoranda for various Federal agencies and legislators as requested.• Attended Congressional hearings and meeting with Congressional staff concerning the U.S. relationship to the International Criminal Court.

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  Special Counsel, Inc.

  Jul 2016 - Jun 2017

  Consulting Attorney

  • Conducted thorough reviews of discovery materials, ensuring their relevance to subpoena requests.• Managed the redaction or withholding of documents based on applicable privilege, adhering to legal standards and safeguarding sensitive information.

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  Japan Exchange and Teaching Program(me) (JET)

  Jul 2017 - Jul 2021

  ALT

  • Cultivated strong communication skills through the organization and implementation of daily lessons for elementary and junior high school students. This experience honed the ability to convey complex concepts in a clear and understandable manner, an essential skill for effective legal communication.• Demonstrated cross-cultural understanding by interpreting for various government organizations, assisting in bilingual translation of contracts, and interpreting meetings with foreign visitors and government officials. These experiences fostered adaptability and an appreciation for diverse perspectives, assets in navigating international corporate transactions and communications. Show less

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  Oram & Houghton, PLLC

  Feb 2022 - now

  Attorney

  • Draft comprehensive legal opinions for clients in the energy sector, addressing title issues across multiple jurisdictions and providing crucial guidance for navigating complex regulatory landscapes.• Facilitate mid-market private equity transactions, late series funding rounds, and debt consolidation deals by proficiently reviewing, negotiating, and drafting various professional services agreements.• Advise investment bank deal teams on multifaceted legal issues, offering strategic insights and legal expertise to facilitate informed decision-making.• Provide general corporate legal services to Japanese-language clients, encompassing entity formation, drafting of corporate charters and bylaws, and negotiation of asset purchase deals Show less