Experience

City of Euclid

• United States
• Government Administration
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Law Director

  • Jan 2016 - Present

  •Direct all legal aspects of the city’s day-to-day operations including public meetings, elections, legislation, litigation, employment matters, discipline, zoning and the provision of legal opinions in response to needs of various city departments •Draft legislation for review and adoption by city council •Attend city council meetings, committee meetings, public hearings to provide legal advice on legislation, parliamentary procedure, proposed courses of action or policy questions •Represent city and employees in federal and state litigation and in administrative proceedings conducted before state regulatory agencies or supervise and coordinate with outside counsel on referred matters •Supervise and assist staff in city’s prosecutor’s office which handle prosecutions of violations of traffic, criminal, fire and housing codes in Euclid Municipal Court •Engage in negotiations and ratify contracts with unions for their collective bargaining agreements and assist department directors with grievances brought by union members Show less



Cuyahoga County

• United States
• Government Administration
• 700 & Above Employee

• Chief of Staff

  • Jul 2013 - Dec 2015

  •Report directly to the Clerk of Courts; work with clerk to create and maintain a streamlined organizational structure to promote maximum efficiency •Produced e-filing tutorial video for attorneys and support staff and presented at numerous continuing legal education seminars, bar association meetings and community colleges •Created policy and procedures manuals, operations manuals and departmental handbooks and ensure proper protocols are followed •Conduct quarterly training for all Clerk of Courts’ staff on pertinent subjects such as accountability, email/phone etiquette, case workflows, new e-filing system, and surety/bail regulations •Serve as point of contact for clerk and establish effective working relationships with other county offices for joint projects and goals •Supervise and direct staff of 120 employees; provide instruction, training, prepare evaluations, and recommend discipline when appropriate in collaboration with human resources staff •Liaison between clerk and computer system vendor to troubleshoot issues and ensure effective e-filing and case management systems •Act as Public Records Manager for the Clerk of Courts; improved the production and documentation of requests for public records and updated records retention schedules based on their legal and administrative requirements and value Show less



City of Euclid

• Assistant Law Director

  • Jul 2006 - Jul 2013

  •Manage and provide training and legal advice to building and housing inspectors on code interpretation and enforcement procedures •Adjudicate matters brought by city inspectors against property owners and prosecute violations of the city’s building and housing code •Conduct research, review and prepare legal documents and provide legal opinions in response to needs of various city departments •Represent the city and employees in federal and state litigation and in administrative proceedings conducted before state regulatory agencies •Draft legislation for review and adoption by city council •Administer the city’s nuisance abatement program which seeks to eliminate both civil and criminal nuisances •Provided legal counsel to the Planning and Zoning Commission and represent the commission in appeals •Prepare and prosecute cases of violations of the city’s traffic and general offense code Show less



Office of the Ohio Attorney General

• Assistant Attorney General

  • Jul 2000 - Jul 2006

  Corrections Litigation Section •Undertook all areas of civil litigation including discovery, depositions, motion practice, hearings, trials and appeals •Defended state employees and officials in lawsuits brought by prison inmates •Researched various issues and recommend appropriate action to state agencies •Oversaw expungement caseload for the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation and sought to vacate improperly granted expungements in courts throughout the state Health Care Fraud Section •Special Prosecutor for the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation in fraud cases •Responsible for prosecuting claimants, health care providers and employers who defraud the Workers Compensation Program •Evaluated each case to determine prosecutorial merit, presented cases to grand jury, and handled all aspects of prosecution including arraignment, plea negotiations and obtained payment of restitution to the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation Show less



Cuyahoga County

• United States
• Government Administration
• 700 & Above Employee

• Judicial Staff Attorney

  • May 1997 - Jul 2000

  •Managed a civil docket of approximately 250-300 pending cases •Researched a variety of legal issues arising out of civil litigation •Prepared memoranda of law and recommended rulings on motions •Conducted case management and pre-trial conferences and assisted attorneys in analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of their cases often facilitating settlement negotiations •Liaison between litigation attorneys and judge to enable appropriate communication and resolution of issues •Managed a civil docket of approximately 250-300 pending cases •Researched a variety of legal issues arising out of civil litigation •Prepared memoranda of law and recommended rulings on motions •Conducted case management and pre-trial conferences and assisted attorneys in analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of their cases often facilitating settlement negotiations •Liaison between litigation attorneys and judge to enable appropriate communication and resolution of issues