Assistant General Counsel

• Apr 2021 - Present

Attorney at Law

• Aug 2011 - Apr 2021

 Practice includes all aspects of representing public school districts, education co-operatives, community colleges, and universities in education law matters, with focus on employment issues, transactional matters, policy and governance.  Served as embedded counsel with a national non-profit organization to provide expertise in employment law related matters, including, but not limited to Family Medical Leave, discrimination and disability claims, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the National Labor Relations Act, numerous state laws and regulations. Additionally, assisted in drafting employment policies and practices for hiring, termination, and disciplinary actions.  Provide clear and concise counsel to school district school boards and administrators.  Represent employers in employment grievance hearings and appeals, termination hearings and appeals, successfully negotiate and resolve employment disputes, and provide guidance and training on a wide range of employee issues including issues related to leave, disability, and pay.  Represent clients in Equal Employment Opportunities Commission and Office of Civil Rights investigations and authored successful responses to complaints of discrimination before the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission and the Office of Civil Rights.  Provided legal guidance regarding data and privacy issues and represented clients during data breaches as well as negotiated data privacy contracts.  Provide legal guidance and develop policies for district use regarding First Amendment issues including speech and religious freedom/government endorsement issues.  Conduct investigations and drafted investigation reports.  Represent governmental entities in litigation, primarily appellate matters. Show less

Office of P-16 Iniviatives Intern

• Aug 2007 - Aug 2008

While working on my Masters Degree in Education Policy at Vanderbilt University, I was hired as a paid intern with the Tennessee Higher Education Commission's Office of P-16 Initiatives. In this role I worked primarily on the state of Tennessee's GEAR UP grant. I collaborated with state program staff, regional and local coordinators, and the evaluation team to increase student secondary and postsecondary academic success. I also prepared data for annual performance review to U.S. Department of Education. Show less

Research Assistant & Project Coordinator

• Aug 2006 - Aug 2008

While working on my Masters Degree in Public Policy at Vanderbilt, I was hired by the Department of Leadership, Policy, and Organizations to work with the Principal's Leadership Academy. In role I helped coordinate a partnership-based program designed to advance school district leadership in Nashville. I also assisted in the management of an educational leadership exchange program between Vanderbilt University and South China Normal University. While working on my Masters Degree in Public Policy at Vanderbilt, I was hired by the Department of Leadership, Policy, and Organizations to work with the Principal's Leadership Academy. In role I helped coordinate a partnership-based program designed to advance school district leadership in Nashville. I also assisted in the management of an educational leadership exchange program between Vanderbilt University and South China Normal University.

Middle School Teacher

• Aug 2003 - Jun 2006

I served as a teacher at an inner-city school in Cleveland, Ohio where I taught middle school social studies and reading. I also started and coached the school's first baseball team, in addition to coaching the soccer team. Our school sought and successfully achieved breaking traditional economic and social barriers to allow students to achieve educational success and advancement. I served as a teacher at an inner-city school in Cleveland, Ohio where I taught middle school social studies and reading. I also started and coached the school's first baseball team, in addition to coaching the soccer team. Our school sought and successfully achieved breaking traditional economic and social barriers to allow students to achieve educational success and advancement.

Education Director

• Oct 2001 - Aug 2003

Teacher Trainer and Education Resource Teacher

• Aug 2000 - Jul 2001

After graduating college, I joined the Peace Corps and served in Far West Nepal. I worked as a teacher trainer, and education resource teacher at both a primary, secondary, and teacher training center. I also successfully wrote grants for community improvement projects. Due to a Maoist uprising in the country, I needed to leave the village where I was working. I chose to return home instead of re-establishing in a different town for my second year of Peace Corps service. After graduating college, I joined the Peace Corps and served in Far West Nepal. I worked as a teacher trainer, and education resource teacher at both a primary, secondary, and teacher training center. I also successfully wrote grants for community improvement projects. Due to a Maoist uprising in the country, I needed to leave the village where I was working. I chose to return home instead of re-establishing in a different town for my second year of Peace Corps service.