My Résumé.

Experience

American Association for Justice

    • Advocate for strengthening the civil justice system, preserving the right to trial by jury, and protecting access to justice for individuals by editing, preparing, and filing amicus curiae briefs in the U.S. Supreme Court, federal circuit and district courts, and state appeals courts on behalf of the world’s largest plaintiff bar association.

    • Coordinate research and advocacy efforts and make recommendations on important civil justice issues that are critical to AAJ members and their clients by working closely with the AAJ General Counsel and Public Affairs and State Affairs departments, as well as state trial lawyer associations and other public interest organizations nationwide.

    • Track, analyze, and assess proposals to amend the Federal Rules of Evidence, Civil Procedure, and Appellate Procedure; draft advocacy material, such as fact sheets, testimony, and regulatory comments on behalf of the plaintiff’s bar in response to U.S. Judicial Conference rulemaking that materially affect the rights and practice of plaintiffs and trial lawyers; research, draft, and edit affirmative proposals to improve access to justice for all.

    • Prepare and present engaging and concise reports on activities of the AAJ Legal Affairs department, recent court opinions, and the real-world implications of complex legal issues for internal and external audiences of varying interests, backgrounds, and practice areas.

    • Develop and publish unique legal resources to help plaintiffs’ attorneys improve their litigation techniques and case preparation related to a variety of practice areas, such as products liability, professional negligence, prisoner abuse and police misconduct, discrimination and harassment, sexual assault, and affordable access to electronic health records.

    • Draft, edit, and publish articles on emerging legal issues and case developments for 19 practice area-specific blogs; establish and maintain stringent editorial standards; collaborate with and manage 19 editors throughout annual publication process.

Bernabei & Kabat, PLLC

Minnesota Judicial Branch

    • Authored over 100 orders, legal memoranda, and jury instructions under the direction of Judge Pearson and prepared reports and recommendations on relevant state laws, case law, filings, opinions, briefs, and legal authorities related to a variety criminal, civil, family law, and conciliation court matters, such as post-conviction relief and expungement; modifications of custody, child support, and parenting time; motions in limine; court trials; motions for summary judgment; and motions for attorneys’ fees.

American Constitution Society

    • Planned National Convention panel exploring the professional and ethical implications facing new and veteran attorneys who choose to serve in a federal administration that is unfriendly to progressive values and civil rights; drafted a comprehensive guide to present and potential threats to First Amendment rights posed by the Trump Administration for ACS attorney and law student members and ACSblog articles on emerging legal issues; edited Issue Briefs on progressive policies and legislation, including government ethics, voting and reproductive rights, the judicial nominations crisis, and police misconduct for substantive and technical accuracy.

National Partnership for Women and Families

    • Researched, tracked, and analyzed legislation, regulations, judicial proceedings, and policy initiatives, including a comprehensive 50-state survey on sex restrictions in public accommodation discrimination laws; drafted fact sheets promoting newly introduced bills and advocated for policies to advance reproductive rights, including comprehensive sex education, contraception access, quality maternity care, and abortion rights.

United States Attorney for the District of Minnesota

    • Researched, tracked, and analyzed legislation, regulations, judicial proceedings, and policy initiatives, including a comprehensive 50-state survey on sex restrictions in public accommodation discrimination laws; drafted fact sheets promoting newly introduced bills and advocated for policies to advance reproductive rights, including comprehensive sex education, contraception access, quality maternity care, and abortion rights.

United States Department of Justice

    • Researched and drafted memos analyzing national security exemptions under the Privacy Act of 1974.

    • Edited, cite checked, and performed case law analysis for the DOJ’s biennial guidance manual summarizing the Privacy Act’s disclosure prohibition, access and amendment provisions, and agency recordkeeping requirements. See DOJ Off. Privacy & C.L., Overview of the Privacy Act of 1974 (2015).

Education

University of Minnesota Law School
Juris Doctor (May 2016)

Activities:

  • Law and Inequality (Lead Managing Editor)

  • Minnesota Justice Foundation Student Chapter (President)

  • University of Minnesota Law Council (Director of Events)

  • Women’s Law Student Association (Events Coordinator)

  • University of Minnesota Law School Mock Trial Competition Team

Awards:

  • Dean’s List (2014–2016)

  • Book Award, Civil Rights & Social Justice Capstone

  • Walter F. Mondale Hall Engagement Award

  • Dr. Matthew Stark Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Student Award

  • 1L Legal Writing Program Best Oralist

The George Washington University
B.A., Political Science, Minor in Philosophy (May 2013)

Community Involvement

  • Monumental Theatre Company (Chair, Board of Directors)

  • Studio Theatre (Manager on Duty, Lead House Manager)

  • Folger Shakespeare Library (Theatre House Manager)

  • University of Minnesota Law School (Regional Alumni Ambassador)

  • ACS DC Lawyer Chapter (Former Chair, Outreach Committee)

  • AAJ Student Trial Advocacy Competition (Volunteer Judge)

  • American Mock Trial Association (Volunteer Judge)