Attorney Advisor, Grade 14, Step 2 at Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance (2023-11 – Present)
- Adeptly conducts initial legal review of claims according to the PSOB Act to ensure legal and factual accuracy using 2.0 case managing system.
- Effectively makes recommendations and edits for secondary legal review of death, disability, and education claims under the PSOB Act.
- Engages in legal research that interprets the statutory and regulatory language of the PSOB Act and its relation to state laws, administrative law, and common law.
- Conducts legal discussions with Hearing Officers to solve complex legal issues and provides well-reasoned and sound legal advice for claims.
- Contributed to memorandum proposing policy changes for Protecting America's First Responder's Act (PAFRA) and National Defense Authorization Act.
Appellate Attorney, Grade 12, Step 6 at Veterans Affairs, Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims Litigation Group (2020-08 – 2023-11)
- Effectively evaluates claimants' records including medical evidence, lay statements, and agency documents.
- Researches and interprets statutory and regulatory language to determine claimants' eligibility for veterans benefits pursuant to Title 38 of Code of Federal Regulations.
- Prepares oral presentations to Court attorneys and opposing counsel during weekly scheduled briefing conferences.
- Efficiently drafts and files legal pleadings such as brief conference memorandum, remands, briefs, record of proceedings, responses to court orders, and attorney fee responses.
- Independently manages veterans' caseload of over one hundred cases through three methods of calendaring.
- Negotiates attorney fees with opposing counsel according to the Equal Access to Justice Act.
Attorney Advisor, Grade 12, Step 4 at Social Security Administration, Program Review Branch, Branch 6 (2014-10 – 2020-08)
- Worked autonomously to evaluate medical evidence and agency documents including claimant and witness statements to analyze complex policy and legal issues to determine claimants' eligibility for disability benefits.
- Reported any ethics violations regarding Administrative Law Judge or Field office practices involving cases.
- Conducted in-depth reviews of cases pursuant to Title II and XVI of the Social Security Act often using electronic case management and document processing software.
- Provided legal advice and recommendations to Administrative Appeals Judges by consulting medical experts, solving legal disputes, questions, and conflicting interests.
- Spearheaded special projects such as four oral presentations, which consist of researching and investigating legal and administrative issues in Administrative Law Judges' decisions in order to enforce statute and regulation compliance.
- Composed analyses, decisions, and remand orders approved by the Appeals Council.
Law Clerk at St. Ambrose Housing Aid Center (2014-02 – 2014-05)
- Negotiated terms and assisted in Administrative Law Hearings for foreclosure mediation primarily for low-income homeowners.
- Researched and analyzed public housing law and drafted wills and deeds.
- Opened and managed the Neighborhood Legal Clinic for clients dealing with housing law issues.
- Contributed research for client's successful appeal to the Housing Authority of Baltimore City.
Clinic II Student Attorney at JustAdvice® Clinic (2013-08 – 2014-05)
- Provided legal advice and services for clients in civil, housing, family, and criminal law.
- Supervised a team of student attorneys to attend, market, and promote JustAdvice® Clinic to the Baltimore community.
- Helped to advise over 70 clients to solve their legal issues with seasoned volunteer attorneys.
Student Attorney at Public Justice Center (2013-01 – 2013-05)
- Canvassed and informed Baltimore residents of their tenants' rights in rent court.
- Prepared arguments for upcoming rental court cases.
- Conducted interrogatories to assess if client's facts providing legal relief or recourse in rental law.
- Conducted over 100 intakes with tenants in foreclosure and rent court providing legal advice over the phone and at our weekly meetings.
- Researched, analyzed, and wrote a Planned Unit Development memo for the Baltimore County Fair Housing case.
Student Attorney at Australian Law Reform Commission (2012-06 – 2012-07)
- Completed international legal research for Australia's Copyright Law and Age Barriers to Work Law.
- Researched innovative ways countries can implement the United States' Fair Use Doctrine.
- Assisted in consultations with experts in the field such as Google, government agencies and collection societies.
