Experience

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  Montana science institute / helena national forest

  Jun 1997 - Aug 2000

  Youth forest monitoring program
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  Washington state house of representatives - office of program research

  Jun 2004 - Mar 2005

  Legal intern

  Provided legal research on pending legislation, prepared summaries of pending legislation for standing committees, and assisted with bill drafting.

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  Washington state office of the attorney general

  Jun 2005 - Sept 2005

  Summer law clerk

  Interned for Transportation and Public Construction Division, preparing research memos and assisting with briefs on matters relating to transportation, eminent domain, signage, and the Puget Sound piloting board.

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  University of washington student legal services

  Sept 2005 - Jun 2006

  Rule 9 legal intern

  Represented University students needing legal assistance with landlord-tenant, family law, consumer protection law, and some misdemeanor criminal and traffic offenses

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  United states court of appeals for the ninth circuit

  Aug 2006 - Aug 2007

  Law clerk to the hon. james r. browning
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  Montana office of state public defender

  Nov 2009 - Oct 2017

  Defend indigent clients charged with probation violations and felony offenses including deliberate homicide, sexual intercourse without consent, incest, robbery, aggravated assault, assault with a weapon, felony theft, felony DUI, distribution, possession with intent, and possession of dangerous drugs, and others. Successfully handled capital homicide case. Research, draft, and argue motions. Tried multiple felony cases to verdict. Participated in Northern Rockies Capital Litigation Training Program. Also sometimes represent parents subject to petitions alleging abuse or neglect of children, respondents in petitions seeking involuntary commitment, and juveniles charged in Youth Court. Show less

  • Assistant Public Defender

    Aug 2007 - Oct 2017

  • Assistant Public Defender - Major Crimes Unit

    Nov 2009 - May 2012
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  State of montana department of justice

  Oct 2017 - Nov 2020

  Assistant attorney general

  Represented diverse state agencies on a wide variety of legal issues, including torts alleged against state agencies, section 1983 claims, prisoner civil rights litigation, tobacco Master Settlement Agreement litigation, First Amendment actions, environmental litigation, contract disputes, employment discrimination suits, teacher discipline, criminal investigation and prosecution of securities and insurance fraud, criminal appeals, legal review and drafting, and defense of executive orders, and assistance with bill drafting. Show less

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  Montana first judicial district court

  Nov 2020 - now

  District court judge