Chief Deputy Attorney General

• Jan 2023 - Present

Working for Iowans with Attorney General Brenna Bird to assist victims, support law enforcement, prosecute criminals, push back on federal overreach, advise and defend the State, protect consumers, and fulfill the other duties of Iowa's chief law enforcement official.

Assistant Solicitor General and Assistant Attorney General

• Nov 2020 - Jan 2023

Represented the State of Iowa and its officers and agencies in the Supreme Court of the United States, Iowa Supreme Court, and other state and federal courts, including in constitutional and complex litigation.

Senior Legal Counsel and Special Advisor

• Jul 2018 - Nov 2020

Provided legal advice to Governor Reynolds and Executive Branch agencies on a wide range of issues, including constitutional law, administrative law, employment law, disaster emergency authority, education law, election law, and contract law. Managed significant trial and appellate litigation in coordination with the Attorney General’s Office and outside counsel. Advised the Governor on judicial appointments, served as her liaison to the Judicial Branch, and provided policy advice on judiciary matters. Drafted executive orders, disaster proclamations, veto messages, and other legally significant documents. Supervised other legal team functions, including executive clemency, open records requests, record retention, ethics compliance, gubernatorial appointments, and the executive journal. Served as the Administrative Rules Coordinator, managing the Executive Branch’s rulemaking process and serving as an ex officio member of the Legislature’s Administrative Rules Review Committee.

Chief Administrative Law Judge and Administrator, Administrative Hearings Division

• Oct 2014 - Jul 2018

Led the Administrative Hearings Division to provide fair and impartial contested case administrative hearings for nearly all state agencies and some local governments. Presided over contested case hearings and wrote decisions in a wide variety of cases. Supervised eighteen administrative law judges and four administrative support staff, managed the Division budget, and implemented procedural, process, and technological improvements in operations. Led the Administrative Hearings Division to provide fair and impartial contested case administrative hearings for nearly all state agencies and some local governments. Presided over contested case hearings and wrote decisions in a wide variety of cases. Supervised eighteen administrative law judges and four administrative support staff, managed the Division budget, and implemented procedural, process, and technological improvements in operations.

State Public Defender

• Jan 2011 - Oct 2014

Appointed by Governor Terry E. Branstad and confirmed unanimously by the Iowa Senate to serve as Iowa's State Public Defender, responsible for coordinating Iowa's indigent defense system. Led more than two hundred employees of the Office of the State Public Defender, administered the indigent defense fund, and managed a combined budget of approximately $55 million. Developed initiatives to ensure that all indigent persons in Iowa are provided high quality legal representation in criminal, juvenile, and other eligible proceedings in the most efficient and fiscally responsible manner. Represented the Office of the State Public Defender in Iowa's appellate courts on indigent defense fee claim litigation.

Attorney

• Sep 2009 - Jan 2011

Practiced in the Litigation Division, representing clients in civil trial and appellate litigation before state and federal courts, administrative agencies, and arbitration tribunals. Practiced in the Litigation Division, representing clients in civil trial and appellate litigation before state and federal courts, administrative agencies, and arbitration tribunals.

Judicial Law Clerk to Judge Steven M. Colloton

• Sep 2008 - Sep 2009

Prosecuting Intern

• May 2007 - Aug 2007

Law Clerk

• May 2006 - Nov 2006

Chief Floor Assistant

• Jun 2002 - Apr 2005

Intern

• Apr 2001 - Aug 2001

Congressional Page

• Sep 1996 - Jun 1997