Experience

House Armed Services Committee Democrats

• United States
• Legislative Offices
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Staff Lead and Professional Staff Member

  • Mar 2021 - Present

  Senior advisor to the Chairman on budget and policy issues related to military readiness, including training, maintenance, logistics, infrastructure, global posture, energy, and the environment. Drafts and negotiates legislative and report language for the annual National Defense Authorization Act. Develops and supervises implementation of the Subcommittee’s oversight plan through hearings, briefings, and travel with Members of Congress and staff. Manages a team of professional and administrative staff to advance the subcommittee’s legislative agenda in the annual National Defense Authorization Act.

• Professional Staff Member

  • Jan 2019 - Mar 2021

  Serves as a majority staff member for the House Armed Services Committee's Readiness Subcommittee with a portfolio including military construction and infrastructure, Base Realignment and Closure, Department of defense and military service environmental programs, and installation and operational energy.



Navy Office of Legislative Affairs

• Arlington, Virginia

• Legislative Counsel

  • Jun 2016 - Jan 2019

  Environment and operational energy. Liaises with members of Congress and DoN principals on matters concerning the environment, operational energy, natural resources, installation energy and legislative proposals. Manages Navy legislative strategy for environment and energy programs, organizing engagements between Navy leaders and members of Congress and Committee professional staff members. Develops and hones productive relationships between stakeholders, coordinating messages and facilitating communication. Assists senior Navy officials in their preparation for testimony before Congress. Organizes events and briefings for members of Congress and their staffs on Capitol Hill and at Navy installations.



Defense Service Office Pacific

• Yokosuka, Japan

• Executive Officer

  • Aug 2013 - May 2016

  Managed the daily operations of a 25 person law firm across 4 geographically dispersed offices in the Asia-Pacific region. Oversaw the provision of legal advice and defense services to forward deployed naval forces. Trained new attorneys in the provision of legal advice and paralegals in attorney support. Managed resources in a budget constrained environment. Created a hands on leadership and career development program for attorneys and paralegals, leading to 100% retention of personnel. Managed the daily operations of a 25 person law firm across 4 geographically dispersed offices in the Asia-Pacific region. Oversaw the provision of legal advice and defense services to forward deployed naval forces. Trained new attorneys in the provision of legal advice and paralegals in attorney support. Managed resources in a budget constrained environment. Created a hands on leadership and career development program for attorneys and paralegals, leading to 100% retention of personnel.



International and Operational Law Division- Navy OJAG

• Arlington, Virginia

• Maritime Environmental Law Department Head

  • May 2012 - Jul 2013

  Provided advice to senior Navy leadership on matters relating to maritime environmental law. Represented Navy and DoD interests on matters of international environmental law including Arctic policy, maritime environmental treaties, and the regulation of international shipping. Worked with executive agency partners including US Coast Guard, Department of State, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the National Science Foundation to develop the US position on evolving regulatory regimes. Represented the Navy and DoD at international meetings at the International Maritime Organization.



Navy Litigation Office

• Washington D.C. Metro Area

• Senior Litigation Counsel

  • Jun 2010 - May 2012

  Environmental Defense Attorney representing Navy interests in federal litigation actions. Provided litigation support and advice to senior Navy officials on the Administrative Procedures Act (APA), National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Endangered Species Act (ESA), National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA), Clean Water Act (CWA), and Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA/Superfund). Extensive experience in e-discovery and document review. Drafted pleadings, declarations and informational memoranda for Navy leaders to ensure Navy training and operations were not negatively impacted by litigation.



US Navy

• United States
• Armed Forces
• 700 & Above Employee

• Deputy EA to Judge Advocate General

  • May 2008 - Aug 2009

  Review of Navy personnel actions including promotions, adverse information and withdrawal and removal of personnel from promotion lists. Speech and Correspondence writing for Judge Advocate General of the Navy. Management of travel and daily schedule. Review of Navy personnel actions including promotions, adverse information and withdrawal and removal of personnel from promotion lists. Speech and Correspondence writing for Judge Advocate General of the Navy. Management of travel and daily schedule.



US FLEET FORCES COMMAND

• Defense & Space
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Operational Law Attorney

  • Jan 2006 - May 2008

  Provided legal analysis and advice to Navy leadership on Rules of Engagement, humanitarian assistance operations, and governmental ethics to include gifts, SF-278s, widely attended gatherings, and relations with non-federal entities. Provided legal analysis and advice to Navy leadership on Rules of Engagement, humanitarian assistance operations, and governmental ethics to include gifts, SF-278s, widely attended gatherings, and relations with non-federal entities.



Combined Security Transition Command- Afghanistan

• Kabul, Afghanistan

• Rule of Law Mentor

  • Sep 2006 - Apr 2007

  Rule of Law mentor to Afghan National Army leaders, judges and trial counsel. Daily interaction with senior military and civilian officials in Afghan government to develop transparency and create a robust, adversarial military justice system. Weekly meetings with Afghan military judges (trial and appellate) and counsel to develop trial skills. Drafted instructions and regulations for manuals involving provisions of justice and investigation. Weekly status reporting to US/ISAF leadership. Rule of Law mentor to Afghan National Army leaders, judges and trial counsel. Daily interaction with senior military and civilian officials in Afghan government to develop transparency and create a robust, adversarial military justice system. Weekly meetings with Afghan military judges (trial and appellate) and counsel to develop trial skills. Drafted instructions and regulations for manuals involving provisions of justice and investigation. Weekly status reporting to US/ISAF leadership.



US Navy

• United States
• Armed Forces
• 700 & Above Employee

• Naval Flight Officer

  • Jul 1998 - Aug 2001