Experience

Snoqualmie Indian Tribe

• United States
• Government Administration
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Gaming Commissioner Chairwoman

  • Apr 2014 - Present

  SGC is an administrative body of the Snoqualmie Tribe's Tribal Council. There are three Commissioners who are responsible for creating policy and regulations to ensure the casino's compliance with the Tribe’s Federal Gaming Act, State Compact, and Tribal Constitution, resolutions, and codes. Each Commissioner maintains a good working relationship with Casino Operations, Washington State Gaming Commission, National Indian Gaming Commission, and the Snoqualmie Tribal Council. The SGC mission is to maintain the integrity of the casino's gaming operation. Commissioners are responsible for the entire twenty-two employee Snoqualmie Gaming Commission. Commissioners directly supervise the Executive Director, who thereby oversees the SGC Agents, Staff, and daily investigations. SGC issues licenses for every person or company working for or doing business with the casino. The Commissioners are fair, impartial, and follow rules of civil procedure and due process in adjudicating the investigative results of the SGC agents and staff, who daily monitor, investigate, and audit all gaming activities and licensing issues within Snoqualmie Tribal lands. Commissioners usually meet the Friday following the 15th of each month to hold hearings and conduct official business. Show less



The Puyallup Tribe of Indians

• United States
• Government Administration
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Attorney

  • May 2017 - Present

  Began as Attorney for the Per Capita and Representative Payee Program departments. A large portion of my work involved working with a wonderful team as we assisted minors, elders, and the vulnerable in protecting and managing their financial resources to help ensure their needs are met and their lives are joyful. In August 2019, I was transferred to the Tribe's Prosecutors office where I continue to represent the Per Capita and Representative Payee Program departments. I also prosecute criminal cases and represent the Tribe's Children Services department in the Puyallup Tribal Court. Write, create, file, serve and argue all legal documents necessary to effectively represent each department in tribal court. Provide legal feedback to help guide and assist department staff in the execution of their jobs for compliance with applicable tribal ordinances and other legal requirements. Maintain a high level of confidentiality and adhere to a high level of ethics. Keep organized and confidential numerous tribal member beneficiary files. Maintain a good working relationship with department staff, Tribal staff, Tribal Council, and Tribal court. Have good customer service skills, cultural sensitivity, and uphold the decorum of the departments with all tribal members. Created many template documents to help develop and/or streamline different department’s legal needs. Worked as part of the working group to amend and create tribal ordinances for the implementation of the Tribe’s general welfare assistance program. Admitted into the Puyallup Tribal Court (May 2017). Show less



City of Seattle

• United States
• Government Administration
• 700 & Above Employee

• Assistant City Attorney

  • Oct 2015 - Nov 2016

  In my year as a criminal prosecutor for the City of Seattle I worked a rotation in the Domestic Violence Unit, the general Misdemeanor Unit, and as a member of the Misdemeanor Decision, Negotiation, and Filing Unit. I was able to complete two trials on the Domestic Violence Unit. In both trial units I prepared for an average of three trials per week in addition to managing hundreds of cases assigned to me that had pre and post trial court hearings. The decision, negotiation, and filing unit allowed me to vet through the evidence of each case in order to potentially resolve a case in a method outside of an actual trial. Show less



Snoqualmie Tribe

• Snoqualmie, WA

• Education Committee Chairman

  • Oct 2012 - Apr 2014

  Working with a team of 10 other members, our role is to keep track of the needs of the tribal members in regards to education from birth through senior activities We work on creating, investigating, and presenting to the Tribal Counsel the best routes to provide and fund as many educational opportunities for tribal members as possible in areas of formal education, cultural education, and health education. I am honored to be on this Committee and find education to be extremely important. Our team collaborates on ideas, works on delegated tasks, and develops ideas into plans of action within a budget. We communicate and work with tribal membership, tribal government, multiple departments within the tribe, and the larger surrounding community. Show less



Legal Advocates for Indian Country (laic)

• Law Practice
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Associate Attorney

  • Jun 2013 - Feb 2014

  Provide legal aid, mediation services, and legal representation to all Native American clients in all courts and for persons with cases in tribal court. Provide legal aid, mediation services, and legal representation to all Native American clients in all courts and for persons with cases in tribal court.



Snoqualmie Tribal Membership

• Snoqualmie, WA

• Advocate

  • Jun 2012 - Mar 2013

  This is a pro-bono position. I have been working with the general membership and the tribe’s Hereditary Chief to help the tribe with internal government issues. Primarily with enrollment which is the basis for the tribe's Constitution. This experience has been a hands-on lesson in politics, has required me to think outside of the box for solutions, and has taught me the importance of sometimes changing tactics but never giving up. This is a pro-bono position. I have been working with the general membership and the tribe’s Hereditary Chief to help the tribe with internal government issues. Primarily with enrollment which is the basis for the tribe's Constitution. This experience has been a hands-on lesson in politics, has required me to think outside of the box for solutions, and has taught me the importance of sometimes changing tactics but never giving up.



Konteh & Tanijo, PLLC

• 20 Republican St Apt B, Seattle, WA 98109-4528

• Associate Attorney

  • Oct 2011 - Apr 2012

  Managing the Personal Injury-Auto Injury Department of the law firm practice. Conducting client intake interviews. Facilitating negotiations with insurance companies and medical providers, and communicating these negotiations with the applicable client. Identifying and solving problems which might or did arise while managing client files and case evidence. Delegating, overseeing, and/or working with paralegal and legal assistant staff in order to meet client and case needs. Creating office templates to assist with the administration of managing client files. Preparing and reporting case management progress to Partners of the firm including analysis and evaluation of settlement versus trial recommendations based upon the evidence and budget of each file. Working with and providing support to the Immigration and Family Law Departments of the law firm. Conducting research, interviewing witnesses and preparing declarations, preparing and filing court forms, and appearing in court with clients to represent client's interests. Wrote, argued, and won a pre-trial motion for temporary orders despite my supervisor's uncertainty the temporary court would even hear the motion let alone rule in our favor and grant the motion for a time period longer than the standard awarded. This motion gave our client the upper hand throughout the rest of the family law case. Show less



Attorney at Law

• P.O. Box 381, Wauna, WA 98395

• Attorney

  • Jan 2010 - Oct 2011

  While self-employed I worked on multiple projects, managing multiple cases at the same time. - I worked with Legal Advocates for Indian Country (LAIC - 720 3rd Ave Ste 1900, Seattle, WA 98104-1897), representing parents struggling to keep or regain custody of their children. I worked with parents, prosecutors, counselors, and tribal courts with the collective objective to better the parent and child alike. - I created agreed parenting plans and child support orders for clients. This required communication and negotiation between the needs and wants of my client parent and the other parent, both seeking what is in the best interest of their children. - I represented a client against criminal misdemeanor DUI and domestic violence property damage charges. I gathered data and made an analysis of the evidence in addition to tangible and intangible costs concerning trial. I was able to quickly identify the strengths, weaknesses, and fair outcome of the case. I drew upon my resources and writing skills to research and write a lengthy dispositive motion. The night before the motion and trial hearing date, prosecution called me acknowledging property charges would likely be dismissed. Not wanting to risk losing the DUI charge from the motion, they asked to settle the case for what I had been asking for since the first pre-trial hearing date. - I also assisted with a personal injury claim, mostly researching and drafting letters, pleadings, and demand. I received hands-on training with Beetham Tran, PLLC (1107 SW Grady Way Ste 105, Renton, WA 98057-5217) in assisting, learning, and observing office processes and procedures in managing and representing clients in Personal Injury and Family law cases. Show less



Stewart Beall MacNichol & Harmell

• 655 W. Smith St., Suite 210, Kent, WA 98032

• Associate Attorney

  • May 2007 - Nov 2009

  My experience at SBMH put me in a fast paced, high volume, high stakes, and thereby high stress environment and taught me I manage at my best when under pressure. I learned to be an advocate, not back down from what is right, stick up for those who can't stick up for themselves, understand there are always two sides to every story, how to be a professional who can advocate and argue but also be a colleague who can agree to disagree, and how to balance life and work.This firm represents private and public Criminal Defense contract clients throughout King and Pierce County Municipalities. I have worked under the direction of four Partners on various criminal cases. This required me to identify and solve problems within each case, gather evidence, analyze police reports, research case law, write and file motions, compromise of misdemeanors, and general case law briefs which were later presented and/or argued before clients, partners, courts, and prosecutors. I also conducted initial client intakes which requires a quick review to identify, analyze, and predict the needs and budget of the case based upon the police report and any other present evidence, reviewing and tailoring the hiring contract to best fit the needs and projected budget of the case. I managed my own case assignments (average 60 files a day), monthly prepared for trials, and assisted other partners and attorneys on their case assignments. Knowing and reading the people involved in each case resulted in repeatedly being awarded my sought after recommendation for negotiated sentencing and sanctions even when Prosecution did not agree in negotiations. I gathered and presented necessary documents, case law, and evidence to support my recommendations and have used the same method in creating a solid defense at trial and in preparing and presenting arguments on pretrial motions or in Ander's Brief Appeals. Show less



City of Tacoma

• United States
• Government Administration
• 700 & Above Employee

• Legal Externship

  • Jan 2008 - May 2008

  I gathered information on case law pertaining to municipalities and when municipal law was silent on an issue I looked into State or Federal law. My findings were put into two types of analytical briefs, one for a legal audience and one for anyone without legal training. My research briefs and memos were used to provide support and assistance to attorneys defending the City against personal injury claims and to assist the City Attorney with City Counsel Meetings. I observed depositions of witnesses and appearances in court to adjust case schedules. Show less



Law Offices of East Harris

• Seattle, WA

• Legal Intern

  • Jan 2007 - May 2007

  I provided assistance and support for 5 solo practitioners from various law practices (Family, Criminal, Personal Injury, and Immigration) . I obtained and managed confidential client documents, took notes and minutes during client meetings, reviewed attorney drafted documents for errors, drafted correspondence with clients and opposing counsel, put together large packets of supporting documents in preparation for court hearings, researched and wrote briefs, maintained office filing, and delivered and submitted court clerk filings which require attorneys to follow complex filing requirements. I accompanied counsel to ex parte and motion calendar hearings. I researched an area of law with loose rules and vague laws, located a small thread of repeated court findings, gathered witness testimony and argued the case in a teleconference hearing before an Administrative Law Judge against a well known large company where our client was awarded much needed unemployment benefits. Show less



Talbots

• United States
• Retail
• 700 & Above Employee

• Sales Associate

  • Mar 2002 - Aug 2005

  In top 500 for sales associates for all stores in the U.S. within first six months of working, ranking highly on internal reviews. Developed strong product and service knowledge which enabled me to properly match customers to what they needed resulting in low return numbers and in successfully exceeding my monthly and yearly selling goals. In top 500 for sales associates for all stores in the U.S. within first six months of working, ranking highly on internal reviews. Developed strong product and service knowledge which enabled me to properly match customers to what they needed resulting in low return numbers and in successfully exceeding my monthly and yearly selling goals.



United Way of Pierce County

• United States
• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Helpline Call Center Intern

  • Jan 2005 - Jun 2005

  My job was to answer and solve whatever calls came in. I was asked to think outside of the box in efforts to connect the caller with community resources often to meet basic needs like food, shelter, water, electricity, gas, and travel. My job was to answer and solve whatever calls came in. I was asked to think outside of the box in efforts to connect the caller with community resources often to meet basic needs like food, shelter, water, electricity, gas, and travel.



PartyLite

• United States
• Manufacturing
• 700 & Above Employee

• Independent Sales

  • Nov 2001 - Oct 2003

  Managed my own home based business. Scheduled and held home demonstrations. Managed cash flow, a show schedule, took and placed orders, handled client private information, kept up to date stock, and had excellent product knowledge. Managed my own home based business. Scheduled and held home demonstrations. Managed cash flow, a show schedule, took and placed orders, handled client private information, kept up to date stock, and had excellent product knowledge.



Art & Soul

• Gig Harbor, WA

• Barista & Pottery Studio Attendant

  • Jul 2001 - Aug 2002

  Provided fresh food service, created espresso masterpieces, assisted customers in the pottery studio, maintained studio safety, cashiered, and focused on the highest customer service possible to promote repeat business Provided fresh food service, created espresso masterpieces, assisted customers in the pottery studio, maintained studio safety, cashiered, and focused on the highest customer service possible to promote repeat business



The Harbor Peddler

• Senior Manager

  • Feb 1998 - Mar 2002

  As Manager, I gained experience in fair and successful management principles. Close attention was paid to analyzing work performance of employees along with customer relations and sales data in order to have effective and efficient delegation of duties with the objective to streamline efficiency and boost productivity of the operations of the business. I was assigned with personally managing the efficiency of the stockroom and the system used in the storage of merchandise. Scheduling, advertising, ordering merchandise, ordering supplies, meeting with vendors, stock room and sales floor layouts were continuously evaluated, analyzed, and solutions recommended and adapted to develop solicitations and growth of the business as well as to maximize the strengths of each employee to make the business a pleasant and successful place to work. Show less



A*L*L* Construction

• Financial Manager

  • Aug 2001 - Feb 2002

  Communicated with and advised in developing administrative decisions. Assisted with administrative functions and analytical reports to determine and advise on appropriate management action. Administrative regulations and operating procedures were used and observed in managing payroll, accounts payable and receivable, monitoring budgets for projects, and balancing cash flow accounts. I did implement fact finding and investigative techniques to gather clear-cut factual evidence of administrative waste and abuse and discovered the prior accountant had mismanaged the records to hide embezzlement of money from the company along with not paying the IRS payroll taxes in several months. At which point I contacted a CPA to work with the IRS for back taxes. A cost benefit analysis was conducted and due to the prior accountant’s judgment-proof lack of assets and contract employee status, a W-2 was sent to her for the amount she embezzled with payroll taxes owed by her to the IRS. Show less



S.A.V.E. Thriftstore

• Gig Harbor, WA

• Mechandise Intake Attendant

  • Jun 1997 - Aug 1997

  This was my first job in the summer before my junior year of high school. Pierce County and the City of Tacoma had started a program for the summer sending youth to work with not-for-profit organizations and the County and City would pay the student minimum wage. This Thrift Store sits at the bottom of the hill where my high school is and all proceeds go to college scholarships for graduating seniors. I would accept donations, clean them up, salvage what could be, get the items onto the sales floor, keep the sales floor clean and orderly, assist customers, ring up their purchases, and help them to their vehicles with the items if needed. This experience taught me a great deal about business dynamics and customer relations. Show less