Associate General Counsel

• Sep 2021 - Present

Legislative Counsel

• Jan 2012 - Sep 2021

Serve as legislative counsel on behalf of over 50,000 Union members. Advise the Union over relevant federal and state legislation, regulations, and international treaties impacting flight attendants. Provide support over budgetary and regulatory requests to congressional committees and congressional testimony. Drafted the Union's legislative portfolio for the 114th Congress. Drafted comments to DOL over spousal definition and FMLA airline crew member modification. Assisted in managing federal PAC, including identifying federal candidates to support, ensuring compliance with Congressional ethics and election law, and increasing membership. Crafted litigation and legislative amendment strategy, which resulted in reversal of a federal agency's proposed rule. Litigation practice generally includes defending the Union from DFR lawsuits in federal court, representing flight attendants at arbitration, and advising Union locals. Prevailed in federal District Court over airline's attempt to vacate an arbitration award via summary judgment briefing and oral argument. Utilized extensive motion practice and discovery tactics, which culminated in successful dismissal of claims against the Union filed in federal district courts in Florida and New York. Assisted in writing brief resulting in denial of certiorari by U.S. Supreme Court in a DFR claim against the Union. Prevailed in several arbitrations, including, termination for insubordination, determining arbitrability of pass travel benefits, and maintaining industrial due process during an EEO investigation. Represented the Union at grievance settlement negotiations/mediation. Took and defended depositions (including by an expert witness). Represented flight attendants before the FAA’s civil enforcement division. Defended the Union in EEOC investigations. Managed outside counsel in federal district court and revised counsel’s work product.

Sr. Staff Attorney/Negotiator and Legislative Counsel

• Jan 2018 - Aug 2021

Successfully negotiated multi-million dollar labor contract while leading and managing the negotiations team and writing communications. Ensure the Association's EEO compliance specializing in responding to discrimination and harassment claims. Extensive experience in mediation and arbitration, as well as enforcing decisions of these forums in federal court. Review company compliance over FMLA, state medical leave laws, and social media policies. Review and draft proposed legislation. Advise on International labor law and ILO Conventions.

Fellow

• Oct 2011 - Jan 2012

Researched transportation policy and federal funding of local municipality transportation systems. Prepared weekly reports of constituent concerns compiling thousands of communications. Analyzed pending legislation in the areas of environmental and transportation policy. Researched transportation policy and federal funding of local municipality transportation systems. Prepared weekly reports of constituent concerns compiling thousands of communications. Analyzed pending legislation in the areas of environmental and transportation policy.

Judicial Extern

• Jan 2011 - May 2011

Assisted Judge Plese in all aspects of civil and criminal trials, including reviewing court files, analyzing legal arguments, researching applicable law, and watching trial. Wrote memoranda examining motions for summary judgment and attorney's fees and the redesigning of the Court's First Appearance practice. Calculated child support payments and alimony. Assisted Judge Plese in all aspects of civil and criminal trials, including reviewing court files, analyzing legal arguments, researching applicable law, and watching trial. Wrote memoranda examining motions for summary judgment and attorney's fees and the redesigning of the Court's First Appearance practice. Calculated child support payments and alimony.

Legal Representative

• Jan 2010 - Dec 2010

Represented indigent Native Americans as part of criminal defense team. Drafted pretrial motions and supporting memoranda, discovery requests, and interrogatories. Created trial notebook emphasizing procedural and evidentiary standards. Attended pretrial hearings. Researched filing Habeas Corpus petition on behalf of Native American defendant. Represented indigent Native Americans as part of criminal defense team. Drafted pretrial motions and supporting memoranda, discovery requests, and interrogatories. Created trial notebook emphasizing procedural and evidentiary standards. Attended pretrial hearings. Researched filing Habeas Corpus petition on behalf of Native American defendant.

Legal Intern

• Jun 2010 - Aug 2010

Researched minimum state Medicaid eligibility requirements and state funding mechanisms of Medicaid. Edited/researched legal brief outlining state requirements to implement the Affordable Care Act. Met with state legislators to discuss proposals to implement the Affordable Care Act. Researched minimum state Medicaid eligibility requirements and state funding mechanisms of Medicaid. Edited/researched legal brief outlining state requirements to implement the Affordable Care Act. Met with state legislators to discuss proposals to implement the Affordable Care Act.

Legal Intern

• Sep 2009 - Nov 2009

Researched legal arguments challenging unfair labor practices at local Safeway grocery stores. Wrote memoranda analyzing employer violations of the collective bargaining agreement. Attended negotiations sessions with management and participated in union member listening sessions about the employees' experiences at the workplace and in the union's representation of the employees. Researched legal arguments challenging unfair labor practices at local Safeway grocery stores. Wrote memoranda analyzing employer violations of the collective bargaining agreement. Attended negotiations sessions with management and participated in union member listening sessions about the employees' experiences at the workplace and in the union's representation of the employees.