Apr 2024–Present
Current role
Writing Sabbatical
Career Transition
San Francisco Bay Area, California
Writing and Editing
About
Former U.S. DOJ civil rights attorney, division chief, litigator, policy counsel, law professor, and leader.
Works well with teams across a broad spectrum of specialties and cultures.
Excels at making decisions that respect values and strategic needs.
Extensive experience in:
• Federal civil rights and employment law (e.g., Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, ADA, Section 504, ADEA, VAWA);
• Voting rights and election law (e.g., VRA, UOCAVA, NVRA, HAVA);
• Policy development and analysis;
• Government relations;
• Civil and appellate litigation;
• Complex investigations;
• Contracts and risk assessment;
• Alternative dispute resolution;
• Settlement and negotiations;
• Diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and accessibility; and
• Legal research and writing.
More than a decade of top-level federal service, including as NHTSA's first Title VI Compliance Division Chief and conducting U.S. Department of Justice civil rights enforcement investigations and compliance reviews, advising agency leadership and external stakeholders, serving on boards and panels, and leading national workgroups and trainings.
Roles
Aug 2022–Apr 2024
Former role
Division Chief, Title VI Compliance
U.S. Department of Transportation
Washington, District of Columbia
Civil RightsLegal
Principal to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration regarding Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Recruited to establish and staff inaugural Title VI Compliance Division to independently investigate discrimination complaints, conduct reviews, broker settlements, issue guidance, and provide training and technical assistance; briefed senior leadership; reviewed policies; and drafted agency guidance. Served as Acting Director and garnered the Secretary’s 2023 Diversity Award for contributions to the Department’s Equity Team.
Aug 2019–Aug 2024
Former role
Lecturer
University of California, Berkeley School of Law
Berkeley, California
Education, Curriculum and TeachingLegal
Aug 2018–Aug 2019
Former role
Adjunct Professor
Georgetown University Law Center
Washington, District of Columbia
Education, Curriculum and TeachingLegal
Oct 2016–Jul 2022
Former role
Attorney
U.S. Department of Justice
Washington, District of Columbia
Civil LitigationCivil RightsLegal
Attorney, Civil Rights Division, Federal Coordination & Compliance; Nov 2021 - Jul 2022
Focused on Title VI and Title IX enforcement pursuant to a lateral transfer to coauthor a Dear Colleague Letter to courts and juvenile justice agencies, and to strengthen section’s civil rights enforcement work regarding correctional facilities and law enforcement agencies. Advised federal agencies (e.g., DHS, HUD, ED, DOT) and contributed to various work groups, including Tribal Justice. Collateral duty Policy Counsel.
Attorney, Office for Civil Rights, Office of Justice Programs; Oct 2016 - Nov 2021
Investigated complaints and conducted compliance reviews to ensure enforcement of and compliance with various federal civil rights laws (e.g., ADA, Title VI, Title IX, VAWA, Age Discrimination Act, Safe Streets Act). Served as an agency representative – making public appearances and engaging in outreach to educate stakeholders about federal civil rights laws – and provided national trainings and technical assistance. Awarded for exemplary service. Collateral duty ADR Mediator.
Sep 2012–Oct 2016
Former role
Assistant Regional Counsel
U.S. Social Security Administration
San Francisco, California
Civil LitigationAppellate LitigationEmployment / Labor Law
First-chair Special Assistant U.S. Attorney in U.S. District Court and Ninth Circuit cases. Litigated employment cases before the EEOC and MSPB, and advised agency management on various employment, contract, and other matters (e.g., ADA, Title VII, ADEA, Privacy Act, APA, Antideficiency Act, OSHA). Bankruptcy and class action representation. Received multiple awards, including for advocacy in litigating employment matters in federal district court.
Nov 2009–Sep 2012
Former role
Litigation Associate
Baker Botts LLP
Washington, District of Columbia
Civil LitigationCriminal DefenseSecurities LawAppellate Litigation
Represented clients from various industries, including finance, manufacturing, media, and technology, in white collar criminal defense, corporate investigations (e.g., FCPA), securities litigation, and government relations matters. Lead Associate for accounting experts in a breach of warranty and securities fraud trial in NY, which resulted in a €944 million unanimous jury verdict for our client (later settled for $775 million (publicly disclosed)). Pro bono practice included a successful Eighth Amendment constitutional challenge to the federal lethal injection protocol, amicus curiae briefs, and Street Law mentorship in public high schools.
Jun 2002–Oct 2006
Former role
Civil Rights Analyst
U.S. Department of Justice
Washington, District of Columbia
Civil RightsLegal
Conducted factual and legal analysis of jurisdiction compliance with federal voting rights laws in high profile cases of national significance. Monitored elections and contributed to Fair Housing Testing Program.Conducted factual and legal analysis of jurisdiction compliance with federal voting rights laws in high profile cases of national significance. Monitored elections and contributed to Fair Housing Testing Program.