Experience

Santa Clara County Public Defenders

• United States
• Government Administration
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Deputy Public Defender

  • Jan 2023 - Present



Santa Cruz Public Defender

• Santa Cruz County, California, United States

• Attorney

  • May 2021 - Jan 2023

  • As a misdemeanor lead, I managed the organization and flow of the department calendar while overseeing two misdemeanor attorneys. • I have conducted jury trials, argued several PC 1538.5 motions, and have had mental health and misdemeanor diversion motions granted. • I hung two DUI drug trials, negotiated dismissals on several cases, two of which have been .20 DUI’s. • Managed a high case load of diverse clients while training new attorneys and use Spanish regularly with… Show more • As a misdemeanor lead, I managed the organization and flow of the department calendar while overseeing two misdemeanor attorneys. • I have conducted jury trials, argued several PC 1538.5 motions, and have had mental health and misdemeanor diversion motions granted. • I hung two DUI drug trials, negotiated dismissals on several cases, two of which have been .20 DUI’s. • Managed a high case load of diverse clients while training new attorneys and use Spanish regularly with clients. • Coordinated social workers, justice advocates, legal assistants, and investigators in a newly implemented holistic defense model to provide the legal representation and connection to services clients need. Show less • As a misdemeanor lead, I managed the organization and flow of the department calendar while overseeing two misdemeanor attorneys. • I have conducted jury trials, argued several PC 1538.5 motions, and have had mental health and misdemeanor diversion motions granted. • I hung two DUI drug trials, negotiated dismissals on several cases, two of which have been .20 DUI’s. • Managed a high case load of diverse clients while training new attorneys and use Spanish regularly with… Show more • As a misdemeanor lead, I managed the organization and flow of the department calendar while overseeing two misdemeanor attorneys. • I have conducted jury trials, argued several PC 1538.5 motions, and have had mental health and misdemeanor diversion motions granted. • I hung two DUI drug trials, negotiated dismissals on several cases, two of which have been .20 DUI’s. • Managed a high case load of diverse clients while training new attorneys and use Spanish regularly with clients. • Coordinated social workers, justice advocates, legal assistants, and investigators in a newly implemented holistic defense model to provide the legal representation and connection to services clients need. Show less



Law Offices at 725 Washington Street

• Oakland, California, United States

• Post Bar

  • Oct 2020 - Apr 2021

  Working on private and court appointed criminal defense cases (state and federal) throughout the Bay Area with the law offices of: Boris Bindman, Sam Geller, Daniel Shriro, and Charles Woodson. Assignments: -Drafted five (5) Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus that were filed in Alameda County in February 2021. -Writ PC 871.6 -Trial By Declaration: Traffic Violation Acquittal -Motion to Seal/Motions to Unseal -Court Appearances, Arraignments -Motion to Vacate… Show more Working on private and court appointed criminal defense cases (state and federal) throughout the Bay Area with the law offices of: Boris Bindman, Sam Geller, Daniel Shriro, and Charles Woodson. Assignments: -Drafted five (5) Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus that were filed in Alameda County in February 2021. -Writ PC 871.6 -Trial By Declaration: Traffic Violation Acquittal -Motion to Seal/Motions to Unseal -Court Appearances, Arraignments -Motion to Vacate Judgment -Motion to Suppress -Motion to Compel Discovery -Expungement and Motion to Terminate Probation -Bail Motion(s) -Motion to Set Aside (995) -Communicate with Clients, Family Members, Jail Visits -Draft Letters of Support and Declarations -Supplemental Brief to a Motion to Suppress -Memos on Petite and new DOJ decisions -Review Proffer Reports Show less Working on private and court appointed criminal defense cases (state and federal) throughout the Bay Area with the law offices of: Boris Bindman, Sam Geller, Daniel Shriro, and Charles Woodson. Assignments: -Drafted five (5) Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus that were filed in Alameda County in February 2021. -Writ PC 871.6 -Trial By Declaration: Traffic Violation Acquittal -Motion to Seal/Motions to Unseal -Court Appearances, Arraignments -Motion to Vacate… Show more Working on private and court appointed criminal defense cases (state and federal) throughout the Bay Area with the law offices of: Boris Bindman, Sam Geller, Daniel Shriro, and Charles Woodson. Assignments: -Drafted five (5) Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus that were filed in Alameda County in February 2021. -Writ PC 871.6 -Trial By Declaration: Traffic Violation Acquittal -Motion to Seal/Motions to Unseal -Court Appearances, Arraignments -Motion to Vacate Judgment -Motion to Suppress -Motion to Compel Discovery -Expungement and Motion to Terminate Probation -Bail Motion(s) -Motion to Set Aside (995) -Communicate with Clients, Family Members, Jail Visits -Draft Letters of Support and Declarations -Supplemental Brief to a Motion to Suppress -Memos on Petite and new DOJ decisions -Review Proffer Reports Show less



Immigration Policy Clinic at USF School of Law

• San Francisco Bay Area

• Legal Intern

  • Jan 2020 - May 2020

  USF's Immigration Policy Clinic specializes in working with new and current immigration policies and prepares resources for people affected by them. Under the direction of nationally recognized immigration experts, I was involved in variety of projects where I: -Drafted a BIA (Board of Immigration Appeals) appeal for an asylum seeker in partnership with Al Otro Lado. -Informed asylum seekers biweekly on the application process, their rights, and policy matters at the San Francisco… Show more USF's Immigration Policy Clinic specializes in working with new and current immigration policies and prepares resources for people affected by them. Under the direction of nationally recognized immigration experts, I was involved in variety of projects where I: -Drafted a BIA (Board of Immigration Appeals) appeal for an asylum seeker in partnership with Al Otro Lado. -Informed asylum seekers biweekly on the application process, their rights, and policy matters at the San Francisco General Hospital. -Executed legal research for Just Futures Lawyers. -Assisted USF Clinic attorneys in preparing clients for their Merits Hearing by translating and interpreting. Show less USF's Immigration Policy Clinic specializes in working with new and current immigration policies and prepares resources for people affected by them. Under the direction of nationally recognized immigration experts, I was involved in variety of projects where I: -Drafted a BIA (Board of Immigration Appeals) appeal for an asylum seeker in partnership with Al Otro Lado. -Informed asylum seekers biweekly on the application process, their rights, and policy matters at the San Francisco… Show more USF's Immigration Policy Clinic specializes in working with new and current immigration policies and prepares resources for people affected by them. Under the direction of nationally recognized immigration experts, I was involved in variety of projects where I: -Drafted a BIA (Board of Immigration Appeals) appeal for an asylum seeker in partnership with Al Otro Lado. -Informed asylum seekers biweekly on the application process, their rights, and policy matters at the San Francisco General Hospital. -Executed legal research for Just Futures Lawyers. -Assisted USF Clinic attorneys in preparing clients for their Merits Hearing by translating and interpreting. Show less



Becker & Lee LLP

• United States
• Legal Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Legal Extern

  • Aug 2019 - Nov 2019

  Becker and Lee, LLP, gave me the opportunity to develop my skills in immigration law and expose me to the legal profession where I: -Drafted a Motion for Status Docket/Continuance, which was granted. -Drafted a Notice to Appeal, the Addendum for Form EOIR 26, from a decision of an Immigration Judge. -Attended Merits Hearings (including Franco clients). -Researched Country Conditions. -Prepared clients for their Merits Hearing, including translating and interpreting in… Show more Becker and Lee, LLP, gave me the opportunity to develop my skills in immigration law and expose me to the legal profession where I: -Drafted a Motion for Status Docket/Continuance, which was granted. -Drafted a Notice to Appeal, the Addendum for Form EOIR 26, from a decision of an Immigration Judge. -Attended Merits Hearings (including Franco clients). -Researched Country Conditions. -Prepared clients for their Merits Hearing, including translating and interpreting in Spanish. -Reviewed a client's case file in its entirety in preparation for their declaration. -Observed client consultations (immigration defense and business immigration). Show less Becker and Lee, LLP, gave me the opportunity to develop my skills in immigration law and expose me to the legal profession where I: -Drafted a Motion for Status Docket/Continuance, which was granted. -Drafted a Notice to Appeal, the Addendum for Form EOIR 26, from a decision of an Immigration Judge. -Attended Merits Hearings (including Franco clients). -Researched Country Conditions. -Prepared clients for their Merits Hearing, including translating and interpreting in… Show more Becker and Lee, LLP, gave me the opportunity to develop my skills in immigration law and expose me to the legal profession where I: -Drafted a Motion for Status Docket/Continuance, which was granted. -Drafted a Notice to Appeal, the Addendum for Form EOIR 26, from a decision of an Immigration Judge. -Attended Merits Hearings (including Franco clients). -Researched Country Conditions. -Prepared clients for their Merits Hearing, including translating and interpreting in Spanish. -Reviewed a client's case file in its entirety in preparation for their declaration. -Observed client consultations (immigration defense and business immigration). Show less



API Legal Outreach

• United States
• Law Practice
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Certified Law Clerk

  • May 2019 - Aug 2019

  APILO's mission is to provide culturally competent and linguistically appropriate legal representation. As a 2L certified summer law clerk I: -Managed my own elder abuse case under the supervision of an attorney. -Volunteered in Housing Clinics at Centro Legal de la Raza in Oakland. -Researched and wrote memos on local rent ordinances, California law, property and contract law. -Prepared a trial brief and participating in settlement negotiations. -Prepared discovery… Show more APILO's mission is to provide culturally competent and linguistically appropriate legal representation. As a 2L certified summer law clerk I: -Managed my own elder abuse case under the supervision of an attorney. -Volunteered in Housing Clinics at Centro Legal de la Raza in Oakland. -Researched and wrote memos on local rent ordinances, California law, property and contract law. -Prepared a trial brief and participating in settlement negotiations. -Prepared discovery request forms and pleadings. -Interviewed potential clients in intake interviews. Show less APILO's mission is to provide culturally competent and linguistically appropriate legal representation. As a 2L certified summer law clerk I: -Managed my own elder abuse case under the supervision of an attorney. -Volunteered in Housing Clinics at Centro Legal de la Raza in Oakland. -Researched and wrote memos on local rent ordinances, California law, property and contract law. -Prepared a trial brief and participating in settlement negotiations. -Prepared discovery… Show more APILO's mission is to provide culturally competent and linguistically appropriate legal representation. As a 2L certified summer law clerk I: -Managed my own elder abuse case under the supervision of an attorney. -Volunteered in Housing Clinics at Centro Legal de la Raza in Oakland. -Researched and wrote memos on local rent ordinances, California law, property and contract law. -Prepared a trial brief and participating in settlement negotiations. -Prepared discovery request forms and pleadings. -Interviewed potential clients in intake interviews. Show less



Alameda County Public Defender

• United States
• Law Practice
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Certified Law Clerk

  • Jan 2019 - Mar 2019

  As a 2L certified law clerk, I clerked for the Law and Motion Unit for the Felony Division, under Charles Denton. My representative assignments include: -Wrote a 995 Motion to Dismiss in the Law and Motion unit. -Conducted research on complex legal matters. -Wrote a Motion to Dismiss pursuant Penal Code Section 530.5 -Wrote a Motion to Sever. As a 2L certified law clerk, I clerked for the Law and Motion Unit for the Felony Division, under Charles Denton. My representative assignments include: -Wrote a 995 Motion to Dismiss in the Law and Motion unit. -Conducted research on complex legal matters. -Wrote a Motion to Dismiss pursuant Penal Code Section 530.5 -Wrote a Motion to Sever.



San Francisco Public Defender's Office

• United States
• Law Practice
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Summer Law Clerk

  • May 2018 - Aug 2018

  As a 1L summer clerk I interned under Brandon Banks, a misdemeanor attorney, where I: -Wrote a Pitchess/Brady Motion -Wrote a Jones/Serna Motion which was granted and dismissed a case -Sat second chair in two misdemeanor trials -Attended arraignments, hearings, and interviewed new clients -Interviewed Spanish speaking clients As a 1L summer clerk I interned under Brandon Banks, a misdemeanor attorney, where I: -Wrote a Pitchess/Brady Motion -Wrote a Jones/Serna Motion which was granted and dismissed a case -Sat second chair in two misdemeanor trials -Attended arraignments, hearings, and interviewed new clients -Interviewed Spanish speaking clients



RDA Consulting, SPC

• United States
• Public Policy Offices
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Project Assistant

  • Apr 2016 - Jun 2017

  A mission driven consulting firm committed to social and economic justice through program evaluation, strategic planning, grant writing, and organizational development. Duties consisted of running data reports, assist with data collection, research, facilitate focus groups and take notes. I also create and translate presentations in Spanish. I outreach and schedule for community events, research grant opportunities and write literature reviews. Representative Assignments: ♣ AB… Show more A mission driven consulting firm committed to social and economic justice through program evaluation, strategic planning, grant writing, and organizational development. Duties consisted of running data reports, assist with data collection, research, facilitate focus groups and take notes. I also create and translate presentations in Spanish. I outreach and schedule for community events, research grant opportunities and write literature reviews. Representative Assignments: ♣ AB 109 Evaluation, Alameda County, CA. ♣ AB 109 Evaluation, Santa Cruz County. CA. ♣ Los Angeles Public Defender, C.A.R.E. Project. Los Angeles, CA. ♣ MTC, Clipper Card Program, San Francisco Bay Area ♣ Mayor’s Gang Prevention Task Force, Santa Clara County, CA. ♣ Community Health Improvement Plan, Merced County, CA. Show less A mission driven consulting firm committed to social and economic justice through program evaluation, strategic planning, grant writing, and organizational development. Duties consisted of running data reports, assist with data collection, research, facilitate focus groups and take notes. I also create and translate presentations in Spanish. I outreach and schedule for community events, research grant opportunities and write literature reviews. Representative Assignments: ♣ AB… Show more A mission driven consulting firm committed to social and economic justice through program evaluation, strategic planning, grant writing, and organizational development. Duties consisted of running data reports, assist with data collection, research, facilitate focus groups and take notes. I also create and translate presentations in Spanish. I outreach and schedule for community events, research grant opportunities and write literature reviews. Representative Assignments: ♣ AB 109 Evaluation, Alameda County, CA. ♣ AB 109 Evaluation, Santa Cruz County. CA. ♣ Los Angeles Public Defender, C.A.R.E. Project. Los Angeles, CA. ♣ MTC, Clipper Card Program, San Francisco Bay Area ♣ Mayor’s Gang Prevention Task Force, Santa Clara County, CA. ♣ Community Health Improvement Plan, Merced County, CA. Show less



First District Appellate Project

• United States
• Legal Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Administrative Assistant

  • Jul 2015 - Mar 2016

  Non-Profit organization that ensures quality representation of indigent appellants in criminal, juvenile dependency and mental health appeals in the First District Court of Appeals. My duties consisted to explain and begin the appeal process to clients both in the criminal and juvenile dependency appeals in the First District Court of Appeals. I received, counted, located transcripts from the twelve counties in the district in order to help assign cases to panel attorneys. I assisted in… Show more Non-Profit organization that ensures quality representation of indigent appellants in criminal, juvenile dependency and mental health appeals in the First District Court of Appeals. My duties consisted to explain and begin the appeal process to clients both in the criminal and juvenile dependency appeals in the First District Court of Appeals. I received, counted, located transcripts from the twelve counties in the district in order to help assign cases to panel attorneys. I assisted in the case processing by gathering missing client information. I edited and filed the staff case filings in the court’s online filing system. Show less Non-Profit organization that ensures quality representation of indigent appellants in criminal, juvenile dependency and mental health appeals in the First District Court of Appeals. My duties consisted to explain and begin the appeal process to clients both in the criminal and juvenile dependency appeals in the First District Court of Appeals. I received, counted, located transcripts from the twelve counties in the district in order to help assign cases to panel attorneys. I assisted in… Show more Non-Profit organization that ensures quality representation of indigent appellants in criminal, juvenile dependency and mental health appeals in the First District Court of Appeals. My duties consisted to explain and begin the appeal process to clients both in the criminal and juvenile dependency appeals in the First District Court of Appeals. I received, counted, located transcripts from the twelve counties in the district in order to help assign cases to panel attorneys. I assisted in the case processing by gathering missing client information. I edited and filed the staff case filings in the court’s online filing system. Show less



Dropbox

• United States
• Software Development
• 700 & Above Employee

• Legal Assistant

  • May 2015 - Jul 2015

  File hosting service that offers cloud storage, file synchronization, personal and client software. I researched, organized and extracted data for legal use. I also reviewed, flagged and tracked patent tasks with priority. Under the Legal Patent team I organized patent signing events and brought different teams together. I maintained litigation filings and orders and was in constant communication with different entities involved in the patent and trademark processes. File hosting service that offers cloud storage, file synchronization, personal and client software. I researched, organized and extracted data for legal use. I also reviewed, flagged and tracked patent tasks with priority. Under the Legal Patent team I organized patent signing events and brought different teams together. I maintained litigation filings and orders and was in constant communication with different entities involved in the patent and trademark processes.



Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia

• United States
• Legal Services
• 300 - 400 Employee

• Investigative Intern

  • Aug 2014 - Nov 2014

  I worked directly with Staff Attorneys and Investigators to complete various investigative tasks. I listened to jail calls, looked at video surveillance, and made logs and summaries for Attorneys and Investigators to use in their trial. I served subpoenas and went to crimes scenes to take measurements and pictures for evidence. I also visited clients and their families, and took down legal statements from clients, witnesses, and complainants. I ran errands in different areas of the DMV area and… Show more I worked directly with Staff Attorneys and Investigators to complete various investigative tasks. I listened to jail calls, looked at video surveillance, and made logs and summaries for Attorneys and Investigators to use in their trial. I served subpoenas and went to crimes scenes to take measurements and pictures for evidence. I also visited clients and their families, and took down legal statements from clients, witnesses, and complainants. I ran errands in different areas of the DMV area and interacted with officials and people from various ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds on a daily basis. Show less I worked directly with Staff Attorneys and Investigators to complete various investigative tasks. I listened to jail calls, looked at video surveillance, and made logs and summaries for Attorneys and Investigators to use in their trial. I served subpoenas and went to crimes scenes to take measurements and pictures for evidence. I also visited clients and their families, and took down legal statements from clients, witnesses, and complainants. I ran errands in different areas of the DMV area and… Show more I worked directly with Staff Attorneys and Investigators to complete various investigative tasks. I listened to jail calls, looked at video surveillance, and made logs and summaries for Attorneys and Investigators to use in their trial. I served subpoenas and went to crimes scenes to take measurements and pictures for evidence. I also visited clients and their families, and took down legal statements from clients, witnesses, and complainants. I ran errands in different areas of the DMV area and interacted with officials and people from various ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds on a daily basis. Show less



Northwestern University

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Summer Research Student

  • Jun 2014 - Aug 2014

  I conducted my own research under the supervision of an advisor and a professor during the course of an 8-week competitive research program at Northwestern. With the mentorship of a renown professor, I was able to conduct an auto-ethnographic participatory observational project at a graduate level. This gave me an opportunity to learn different research methods, use my time efficiently with research, network with scholars, and present my work to my colleagues and other scholars from different… Show more I conducted my own research under the supervision of an advisor and a professor during the course of an 8-week competitive research program at Northwestern. With the mentorship of a renown professor, I was able to conduct an auto-ethnographic participatory observational project at a graduate level. This gave me an opportunity to learn different research methods, use my time efficiently with research, network with scholars, and present my work to my colleagues and other scholars from different fields at Northwestern's Graduate School. Show less I conducted my own research under the supervision of an advisor and a professor during the course of an 8-week competitive research program at Northwestern. With the mentorship of a renown professor, I was able to conduct an auto-ethnographic participatory observational project at a graduate level. This gave me an opportunity to learn different research methods, use my time efficiently with research, network with scholars, and present my work to my colleagues and other scholars from different… Show more I conducted my own research under the supervision of an advisor and a professor during the course of an 8-week competitive research program at Northwestern. With the mentorship of a renown professor, I was able to conduct an auto-ethnographic participatory observational project at a graduate level. This gave me an opportunity to learn different research methods, use my time efficiently with research, network with scholars, and present my work to my colleagues and other scholars from different fields at Northwestern's Graduate School. Show less



Brodsky Micklow Bull & Weiss LLP

• Oakland, California

• Legal Assistant

  • Jun 2013 - May 2014

  I assisted the paralegal and attorneys in documenting, filing and sending legal documents. I ran miscellaneous errands, deposit large checks, summarize legal documents and trial depositions. And I also answered phone calls, interacted with clients, other attorneys and professionals who assisted with the cases. I assisted the paralegal and attorneys in documenting, filing and sending legal documents. I ran miscellaneous errands, deposit large checks, summarize legal documents and trial depositions. And I also answered phone calls, interacted with clients, other attorneys and professionals who assisted with the cases.



Southwestern Advantage

• United States
• Professional Training and Coaching
• 400 - 500 Employee

• Independent Student Dealer

  • May 2012 - Aug 2012

  I ran my own business over the summer selling educational resources in Philadelphia. I worked over 75 hours a week and talked to over 2,500 people from different backgrounds through the summer going door to door. I learned to be self-motivated while working long hours and under pressure by using my time efficiently and communicating effectively with people of different backgrounds. I ran my own business over the summer selling educational resources in Philadelphia. I worked over 75 hours a week and talked to over 2,500 people from different backgrounds through the summer going door to door. I learned to be self-motivated while working long hours and under pressure by using my time efficiently and communicating effectively with people of different backgrounds.