Chief Legal Officer

• Jun 2018 - Present

Board Secretary

• Aug 2017 - Present

Senior Director of Legal Affairs

• Jan 2017 - Jun 2018

Associate Attorney

• Jul 2014 - Nov 2016

Staff Attorney

• Jan 2012 - Aug 2013

Responsible for representing the Dallas ISD at all levels of the employee grievance process, including arguments before hearing officers and the Board of Trustees, evidentiary and witness preparation, and settlement negotiation. Strategic management of outside counsel retained for employment and labor issues, including employee grievances and appeals of terminations and contract non-renewals. Perform legal review of, and advise the Dallas ISD on, additions and changes to Board policy. Responsible for verification and execution of court-ordered wage garnishment. Perform legal research and draft responses to opposing counsel, teacher support groups, employees, and community members, on First Amendment freedom of speech and religion matters, religious accommodation requests, personal injury claims, and wage-garnishment issues. Provide training on employment law and First Amendment law. Show less

Legal Intern

• Sep 2011 - Dec 2011

Developed employee leave template incorporating FMLA and local policy requirements and applied several cases involving recommendations for employee termination. Wrote Deposition Summary for employment related case. Performed legislative update through the 82nd Texas Session on the issue of district-and campus-wide improvement plans. Wrote memo on Board of Trustee immunity

Student Attorney

• Jan 2011 - May 2011

Research Assistant to Professor Daniel W. Shuman

• May 2010 - Dec 2010

Legal research and writing for a paper on the admissibility of mental health expert testimony in child custody proceedings to be published in a text next March, 2011 Legal research and writing for a paper on the admissibility of mental health expert testimony in child custody proceedings to be published in a text next March, 2011

Treatment Manager/PRN Treatment Manager

• Sep 2007 - Dec 2010

Managed the treatment and care of psychiatric patients through adult and adolescent psychotherapy, strategic clinical intervention, and insurance authorization. Facilitated hospital efficiency through multiple means, including patient programming, employee education, and clinical development as a member of the Employee Assistance Group Managed the treatment and care of psychiatric patients through adult and adolescent psychotherapy, strategic clinical intervention, and insurance authorization. Facilitated hospital efficiency through multiple means, including patient programming, employee education, and clinical development as a member of the Employee Assistance Group

Research Assistant to Dr. Lynda Frost

• Aug 2009 - Nov 2009

Researched and analyzed state statutes regarding adult and adolescent competency restoration for an article advocating increased use of community resources for treatment Researched and analyzed state statutes regarding adult and adolescent competency restoration for an article advocating increased use of community resources for treatment

Summer Intern

• Jun 2009 - Jul 2009

Analyzed legislative bills, performed legal research, and prepared drafts for the forthcoming publication “Legislative Update: A Guide to the Mental Health-Related Actions of the 81st Texas Legislature”. Drafted a revision, based on legislative bill analysis and legal research, of “An Analysis of the Mental Health Code, Third Edition”. Contributed to “Successful and Practical Restoration to Competency in the Community”, presented at the 2009 Annual Texas Behavioral Health Institute, and “6 Core Strategies: Reducing Seclusion and Restraint in your Hospital”, presented at the 2009 Annual Texas Hospital Association Psychiatric Conference Show less

Summer Judicial Clerk

• May 2007 - Aug 2007

Assessed psychiatric patients under orders of protective custody and provided recommendations to the court appointed defense attorney regarding strategic defense planning Assessed psychiatric patients under orders of protective custody and provided recommendations to the court appointed defense attorney regarding strategic defense planning

Special Education Teacher

• Oct 2001 - Sep 2003

Responsible for classrooms made up of multiple populations, such as those with Bipolar I and II Disorders, Asperger’s Disorder, Tourette’s Syndrome, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Worked with school administration, therapists, and families in developing and implementing strategies to help build overall success for the individual children Responsible for classrooms made up of multiple populations, such as those with Bipolar I and II Disorders, Asperger’s Disorder, Tourette’s Syndrome, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Worked with school administration, therapists, and families in developing and implementing strategies to help build overall success for the individual children