ELKA V. GRAHAM, MPA, JD

Atlanta, Georgia Phone: 256-***-****

Montgomery, Alabama E-mail: abl6j0@r.postjobfree.com

Education and Certifications

Faulkner University, Thomas Goode Jones School of Law, Juris Doctor, Montgomery, AL 2014

o Alternative Dispute Resolution Certification

o Certifications: Civil, Foreclosure and Divorce and Family Mediator

o Activities: Black Law Students Association, Fred Gray Civil Rights Symposium Chair 2014, Jones

Public Interest Law Foundation (Public Fellow Designation), Faulkner Law Democrats, Women’s

Legal Society

o Lexis Nexis Certification

Troy University, Master of Public Administration, Montgomery, AL 2005

University of North Alabama, Bachelor of Science, Florence, AL 2003

Hickman School of Real Estate, Alabama Licensed Real Estate Agent, Florence, AL 2008

o Certifications: Property Management Specialist and Certified Seniors Specialist TBA 12/2014

Legal Experience

Law School Recruiter, Faulkner Law September 2014 – October 2014

- Attended career and graduate school fairs and spoke to students interested in law school

- Discussed law school admissions procedures, curriculum and programs offered at Faulkner Law

- Collected information on interested students for follow-up purposes

Legal Research Assistant, Professor John Craft, Faulkner Law May 2013 – May 2014

- Used legal search engines, library and other resources to search multiple topics concerning elder law

- Prepared and delivered presentations on various topics concerning elders, elder abuse, neglect and

awareness of other issues pertaining to elders

- Conducted targeted geographical and nationwide research on various topics and prepared draft

legislation for presentation by legislative action committee

Mediation Clinic, Faulkner Law January 2014 – May 2014

- Mediated civil court cases for Montgomery and Autauga County District Court

- Interviewed clients and legal counsel, if retained, and facilitated negotiation between parties to reach a

settlement

- Prepared settlement contracts and executed final documents

Elder Law Clinic, Faulkner Law August 2013 – December 2013

- Prepared estate planning documents for clinic clients using case management software Clio

- Conducted client interviews, gathered, organized and prioritized information for requested documents

- Conducted research and gathered information to prepare requested documents

- Set follow-up client meetings for document review

- Conducted execution of final documents

Legal Extern, Alabama Law Institute, Alabama State Legislature January 2013 – April 2013

- Researched legislative issues on a variety of topics

- Drafted legislation for current and upcoming legislative sessions

- Conducted research based on statutes and case law to prepare legislation

- Prepared memorandums based on a variety of topics

- Monitored legislative session and tracked the progress of targeted legislation

Elka V. Graham, MPA, JD

Other Work Experience

Political Consultant Independent Consultant D&R Strategies June 2010 – November 2010

- Provide consulting services to four campaigns: State School Board, Congressional, County

Commission Chair, State Senate

- Campaign management for County Commission Chair including robo call scripting, field direction,

media buys and campaign strategy

- Coordinated election day activities, fundraising and election night watch party

- Field coordination, including turf cutting, data entry and analysis

North Alabama Coordinator Artur Davis Campaign for Governor March 2010 – June 2010

- Executed field plan for a Birmingham – based campaign for ten counties in the North Alabama region

- Coordinated community outreach activities

- Coordinated strategic grassroots efforts to advance electoral campaign objectives

- Managed volunteer phone banks, canvassing, visibility events, house parties

- Strategically identified beneficial events based on cost, attendance, demographics and other factors and

appearances for candidate

- Organized GOTV events

Barack Obama Organizing Fellow Team Coordinator, 36th Leg. Dist. May 2008 – June 2008

- Extensive training in organizing, volunteer recruitment/retention, voter registration, canvassing and

other aspects of grassroots/community organizing

- Trained and proficient in the use of the Vote Builder Database

- Responsible for ensuring that all goals set by the Field Director were met

- Served as liaison to Regional Field Director

- Coordinated and supported team members

- Created agendas and led meetings

- Served as resource coordinator for the team

- Ensured all events were effectively planned and prepared with appropriate resources

- Responsible for organizing and coordinating phone banks

- Ensured data was reported accurately and in a timely manner

Constituent Services Specialist Office of Governor Bob Riley August 2003 – January 2007

- Liaison to government agencies and constituents of Alabama

- Monitored and tracked legislation pertaining to the Governor’s agenda

- Coordinated and attended meetings, engagements and special appearances for and with the Governor

- Responsible for knowledge of current policies and procedures for all branches of government

- Cultivated relationships throughout all levels of government and with top officials

- Investigated constituent concerns and devised resolutions

- Responsible for oversight and accountability of assigned state agencies

- Monitored all social services, family assistance, senior services and casework within the Governor's

Office, including compliance with all state and federal regulations

- Conducted policy/legislative research and investigated relevant matters and documents findings

- Instrumental in staff development, team-building, training and supervision of office interns

- Recognized by Governor Riley for overall exceptional work as Employee of the Month

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