EDUCATION

St. Thomas University School of Law, Miami Gardens, FL May 2013

Juris Doctor

Passed July 2013 FL Bar Exam

The Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL May 2007

Bachelor of Science, Criminology

Bachelor of Science, Political Science

EXPERIENCE

Legal Aid Service of Broward County Housing Unit and Kinship Project December 2014 – Present

Paralegal Plantation, FL

Housing Unit – Mornings

Conduct daily intake interviews with walk-in clients to assess the legal issues involved in evictions or in foreclosure of their home

Provide advice and counsel to clients, under attorney supervision, specific to mortgage foreclosure actions, homeowner’s association, condo association foreclosure actions, or eviction action

Advise clients on possible options to defend foreclosure or eviction, which includes legal consequences of relevant deadlines

Draft pleadings relevant to the stage of client’s eviction or foreclosure action

File complaints on behalf of clients with Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

Maintain client files for attorneys, record detailed notes of all communications with clients

Assist attorneys with managing and filing deadlines for court

Kinship Project – Afternoons

Assist attorneys in adoptions or petitions for temporary custody of minor child(ren) by extended family members

Assess legal and social needs of caregiver, children, and household to determine the best coarse of legal action to pursue

Legal Aid Service of Broward County Consumer Unit May 2014 – December 2014

Paralegal Plantation, FL

Responsibilities were identical to Housing Unit description, with the exception of advising clients on evictions

Legal Aid Service of Broward County Children’s Unit October 2013 – April 2014

Parent Advocate Plantation, FL

Provided representation to parents of students with a physical, mental, or emotional disability, health impairment, or other disabling condition under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

Assisted students in receiving timely psychological evaluations, IDEA eligibility determinations, and proper placement in the best available educational setting

Advocated for students’ rights under IDEA who were facing suspension in disciplinary meetings with school staff

Participated in Individualized Education Plan (IEP) meetings to ensure appropriate services were in place for student and IEP goals were properly tailored to individual strengths and areas of need

Office of the Attorney General Consumer Protection Division January 2013 – April 2013

Intern Fort Lauderdale, FL

Performed legal research and analysis focusing on the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act

Assisted Attorney General with oral argument preparation at the 4th District Court of Appeal

Drafted memoranda related to:

oCharging order as applied to LLCs and corporations

oJurisdictional authority of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation to investigate consumer complaints

oIndirect Criminal Contempt for Violating an Injunction

Drafted outlines of questions for depositions

Drafted motions to/for: Overrule Defendant's Objection to Subpoeana Duces Tecum; Compel and Show Cause Why Defendant Should Not be Held in Contempt

Reviewed extensive discovery files and opposing counsel’s responses to interrogatories

Legal Aid Service of Broward County Housing Division January 2013 – May 2013

Intern Plantation, FL

Drafted answers to eviction complaints

Conducted interviews and collaborated with attorneys to determine if client had a legal defense based on facts provided

Performed legislative research and compiled summaries for attorneys on proposed changes to certain laws

The Law Offices of Dell and Schaefer October 2011 – April 2013

Law Clerk Hollywood, FL

Prepared demand letters for personal injury litigation cases

Reviewed medical records, bills, accident reports, insurance policy declarations, and letters of protection

The Honorable John Fry, 17th Judicial Circuit of Broward County Summer 2011

Judicial Intern Fort Lauderdale, FL

Reviewed motions to suppress physical evidence and discussed possible outcomes

Observed numerous criminal proceedings related to battery, DUI, drug possession, disorderly conduct, and other related misdemeanor criminal offenses

Rise Academy Charter School Teach for America August 2009 – July 2010

First and Second Grade Teacher Florida City, FL

Taught reading, math, language, science, and social studies to students in a second year charter school with limited resources.

Held tutoring sessions two times a week to assist low performing students in reading and math.

Osborne Elementary Teach for America August 2008 – June 2009

Second Grade Teacher Houston, TX

Taught reading, math, language, science, and social studies to twenty students.

Taught second grade students third grade skills in reading and math to prepare them for state standardized testing the following year.

Osborne Elementary Teach for America August 2007 – June 2008

Third Grade Teacher Houston, TX

Raised passing rates on reading and math from below 10% in the beginning of the year to 70% by the end of the year.

SKILLS

Proficient in French and Spanish

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