Staff Attorney

• Jul 2022 - Present

Staff Attorney

• Apr 2021 - Jul 2022

Attorney

• Dec 2015 - Apr 2021

Attorney

• 2015 - 2017

Argued for personhood for appropriate nonhuman animals through the mechanism of common law habeas corpus. Drafted and researched motions, petitions, and law review articles. Argued for personhood for appropriate nonhuman animals through the mechanism of common law habeas corpus. Drafted and researched motions, petitions, and law review articles.

Assistant Federal Public Defender, Capital Habeas Unit

• 2009 - 2015

Challenge convictions and sentences of death-sentenced clients in in both §2254 and §2255 federal habeas cases. Responsibilities include drafting briefs, petitions, and conducting evidentiary hearings in district court, briefs and oral arguments in circuit courts of appeal, and petitions of certiorari to the United States Supreme Court, as well as representing clients in state clemency proceedings. Supervise co-counsel, investigators, mitigation specialists, and support staff to ensure quality representation of clients. Work with variety of forensic and mental health experts. Teach Continuing Legal Education courses to other attorneys and staff.

Assistant Federal Public Defender, Trial Unit

• 2008 - 2009

Represented clients charged in federal court through all stages of their cases. A significant portion of cases consisted of Spanish speaking clients. Researched, drafted, filed, and argued motions for evidentiary and sentencing issues. Supervised support staff. Represented clients charged in federal court through all stages of their cases. A significant portion of cases consisted of Spanish speaking clients. Researched, drafted, filed, and argued motions for evidentiary and sentencing issues. Supervised support staff.

Assistant Federal Public Defender

• May 2007 - Oct 2008

Managed complex caseload from initial appearance through sentencing for indigent clients charged with federal offenses. Approximately one third of cases consisted of Spanish speaking clients. Tried five felony jury trials in district court. Researched, filed, and argued motions for sentencing and evidentiary issues in the district court. Coordinated with support staff. Managed complex caseload from initial appearance through sentencing for indigent clients charged with federal offenses. Approximately one third of cases consisted of Spanish speaking clients. Tried five felony jury trials in district court. Researched, filed, and argued motions for sentencing and evidentiary issues in the district court. Coordinated with support staff.

Attorney

• Aug 2004 - May 2007

Completed numerous felony jury trials. Managed felony caseload ranging from class two through six felonies, including complex, mental health, and juvenile cases. Researched, filed, and argued motions on a variety of constitutional issues including search and seizure, Miranda, and due process in Maricopa County Superior Court. Completed numerous felony jury trials. Managed felony caseload ranging from class two through six felonies, including complex, mental health, and juvenile cases. Researched, filed, and argued motions on a variety of constitutional issues including search and seizure, Miranda, and due process in Maricopa County Superior Court.

Judicial Law Clerk for the Honorable Patricia K. Norris

• 2003 - 2004

Researched, drafted, and edited decisions and opinions in criminal, civil, juvenile, severance, industrial commission, and tax cases as well as special actions in all of those matters. Gave oral presentations of draft opinions to three-judge panels during panel conferences. Performed other legal research and drafting as assigned by judge. Served as bailiff during oral arguments. Researched, drafted, and edited decisions and opinions in criminal, civil, juvenile, severance, industrial commission, and tax cases as well as special actions in all of those matters. Gave oral presentations of draft opinions to three-judge panels during panel conferences. Performed other legal research and drafting as assigned by judge. Served as bailiff during oral arguments.