Experience

Department of Energy, Environmental Management Consolidated Business Center

• Government Administration
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Attorney Advisor

  • Jun 2015 - Present



Minnesota Department of Human Services

• Contracts Attorney

  • Jun 2013 - May 2015

  • Review over 1,000 professional and grant contracts with annual value exceeding $60,000,000 • Create framework for MNsure to comply with all requirements of the Affordable Care Act • Draft and negotiate contracts related to 2013 launch of MNsure for the Affordable Care Act • Negotiate contracts terms with health care companies to insure over 700,000 Minnesota Residents • Evaluate draft contracts and RFPs and identify unresolved legal issues internally and externally • Research and analyze state and federal laws, regulations, and court decisions to ensure compliance • Consult with the Attorney General’s Office on contract drafting, legal proceedings and litigation • Provide legal advice to solve issues for 7,000 employees in areas including health care and IP • Resolve complex legal issues arising from potential litigation and initiate resolution and settlement Show less



Minnesota School of Business

• Richfield, MN

• Legal Program Chair

  • May 2011 - Jul 2013

  • Managed 4 – 6 faculty members daily and provide feedback to facilitate best classroom practices • Advised and provided administrative support to 60 – 85 students in paralegal and criminal justice • Created and chaired the Diversity Committee representing 31 colleges and 3000 students nationwide • Implemented strategies and programs to ensure compliance with ACICS accreditation standards • Generated curriculums, manage classrooms and present lectures for various legal subjects • Advocated for student resources with academic, administrative, and admissions departments • Established networks and community relationships to increase student placement post-graduation Show less



Smith White Sharma Yaskhi Halpern & Ishar LLLP

• Greater Chicago Area

• Managing Attorney

  • 2009 - Jul 2010

  Managing Attorney Duties, January 2009 – June 2010 • Hired and managed administrative and legal professionals to effectively staff the Chicago Office • Directed the national real estate division at the law firm through training staff and acquiring clients • Communicated with media and press to create advertising campaigns and increase firm’s exposure • Ran daily operations of firm including issues related to staff, budget, billing, and clients • Ensured that marketing and communications complied with American Bar Association guidelines Active Attorney Duties, January 2009 – June 2010 • Drafted contracts and correspondence to assist clients with product development and expansion • Analyzed company data and drafted agreements for acquisitions by mid-sized businesses • Developed and initiated compliance programs regarding GLBA, EEO, CFTC, SEC, and FTC • Acquired more than 20 new cases in one fiscal year that resulted in access of $50,000 of profit • Successfully negotiated and litigated outcomes in the areas of contract and corporate disputes Show less



The Chawla Group, Ltd.

• Hinsdale, IL

• Associate

  • Jan 2008 - Dec 2008

  • Efficiently completed complex litigation in various types of cases in a 12 attorney law firm • Advocated at hearings, motions, pre-trials and depositions for civil and criminal proceedings • Provided legal counsel to corporations regarding contracts, compliance, and asset protection • Successfully negotiated a $20 million deal involving the sale of multiple hotel properties • Assessed cases to find potential causes of action, defenses, legal theories, and responses • Efficiently completed complex litigation in various types of cases in a 12 attorney law firm • Advocated at hearings, motions, pre-trials and depositions for civil and criminal proceedings • Provided legal counsel to corporations regarding contracts, compliance, and asset protection • Successfully negotiated a $20 million deal involving the sale of multiple hotel properties • Assessed cases to find potential causes of action, defenses, legal theories, and responses



Care and Share Network

• Mumbai Area, India

• Intern Coordinator

  • Sep 2007 - Nov 2007

  • Conducted town hall meetings and educated community members about consumer protections • Conferred with 3-6 clients daily regarding tenant rights, free speech rights, and consumer rights • Coordinated 5 interns by assigning cases, monitoring progress, and reviewing case files • Conducted town hall meetings and educated community members about consumer protections • Conferred with 3-6 clients daily regarding tenant rights, free speech rights, and consumer rights • Coordinated 5 interns by assigning cases, monitoring progress, and reviewing case files



Cook County

• Government Administration
• 700 & Above Employee

• 711 Licensed Law Clerk

  • Jun 2006 - Sep 2006

  • Conducted 2-3 trials and 10-15 motions and hearings in the courtroom • Assisted 3 attorneys by reviewing and summarizing case files for trials • Prepared for trials by drafting orders, contacting witnesses, and organizing documents • Drafted memos for termination of parental rights and case summaries • Prepared and interviewed witnesses for trials, motions, and hearings • Conducted legal research by utilizing LexisNexis to research child protection issues • Conducted 2-3 trials and 10-15 motions and hearings in the courtroom • Assisted 3 attorneys by reviewing and summarizing case files for trials • Prepared for trials by drafting orders, contacting witnesses, and organizing documents • Drafted memos for termination of parental rights and case summaries • Prepared and interviewed witnesses for trials, motions, and hearings • Conducted legal research by utilizing LexisNexis to research child protection issues



Internal Revenue Service

• United States
• Government Administration
• 700 & Above Employee

• Law Clerk

  • Jun 2005 - Aug 2005

  • Conducted legal research by utilizing LexisNexis and Westlaw to research taxation issues • Drafted legal memos about the exempt status of nonprofit organizations • Summarized and reviewed files pertaining to the status of 5-8 tax exempt organizations • Assisted 6 attorneys in preparing documents for 5-8 existing tax cases • Prepared letters to correspond with opposing counsel in existing cases • Attended and contributed to 10-15 national and local meetings with clients and attorneys Show less



Law Office of Joanne Slaight

• Washington D.C. Metro Area

• Intern

  • Jun 2002 - Aug 2002

  • Conducted legal research and wrote motions and legal memos about 20-25 criminal cases • Interviewed witnesses and met with clients • Summarized and reviewed evidence pertaining to 10-15 criminal cases • Reviewed files and documents in preparation for criminal trials • Prepared and contributed to meetings with clients and opposing council • Filed papers at the court house and attended court proceedings • Conducted legal research and wrote motions and legal memos about 20-25 criminal cases • Interviewed witnesses and met with clients • Summarized and reviewed evidence pertaining to 10-15 criminal cases • Reviewed files and documents in preparation for criminal trials • Prepared and contributed to meetings with clients and opposing council • Filed papers at the court house and attended court proceedings