Service Administrative

Laura's InformationLocation: New Windsor, NYTitle: Deputy ChiefWilling to Relocate: NoMember Since: 2012-08-01

-->

LAURA H. HELLER

**** ********** ***** *** *******, NEW YORK 12553 *****.******@**.****.***

PROFILE

Skilled professional with more than eighteen years of experience in the military, federal, private, and non-profit sectors.

Reputation for resolving complex, high-profile issues expeditiously and accurately; proven ability to adapt quickly to new challenges and unexpected circumstances in an aggressive operational tempo.

Trained in human intelligence collection; active Top Secret clearance.

Licensed to practice law in the District of Columbia and State of California; admitted, U.S. Supreme Court, and Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Attorney-Advisor (GS-13), United States Military Academy, West Point, NY 2007 - Present

Principal legal advisor to the Superintendent and Senior Staff on use and development of intellectual property. Provide legal review of at least 7 legal actions per week in the areas of trademark, copyright, technology transfer, Government ethics, contract law, fiscal law, and general administrative law.

Expand and enhance trademark program to proactively manage the West Point portfolio of 14 registered trademarks, generating approximately $410,000 in annual royalties.

Develop Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs), memoranda of agreement, and memoranda of understanding to enable technology transfer, particularly with the private sector.

Develop and deliver copyright training and materials to enable faculty, staff, and students to analyze proposed use of protected works, to quickly identify infringing activity and significantly minimize risk of institutional liability.

Recognized with top score for superior achievement and professionalism in most recent performance appraisal.

Deputy Chief, Detainee Operations (Major, O-4), United States Force - Iraq, Baghdad, Iraq 2010

Deputy legal advisor to the Commanding General and Senior Staff regarding the transition of detainee operations to the Government of Iraq, as well as responsible drawdown of U.S. forces and functions. Provided mission-essential legal counsel on detainee operations, plans, and policy to Senior Commanders and their legal advisors throughout Iraq.

Developed an information management system to track high-value detainees in Government of Iraq custody, decreasing the potential for extra-judicial release and providing direct support to Iraqi Ministry of Justice rule of law efforts.

Conducted legal review of more than $200 million in funding proposals, ensuring fiscal support of detainee operations.

Awarded Joint Service Achievement Medal for superior service while deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Command Judge Advocate (Major, O-4), Joint Task Force 134, Multi-National Force - Iraq, Baghdad, Iraq 2008 - 2009

Principal legal advisor to the Commanding General and Senior Staff for detainee operations, plans, and policy. Provided legal review of at least 30 legal actions per week, furnishing high-quality legal counsel in the areas of operational, International, administrative, contract, and fiscal law, as well as military justice.

Managed oversight of, and support to, subordinate legal sections consisting of 7 attorneys and 8 paralegals, assigned to

2 Military Police Brigades and 1 Military Intelligence Battalion, located in 6 geographic locations throughout Iraq.

Facilitated capacity-building within the Iraqi corrections system. Directly coordinated with Coalition Forces and interagency partners, including the Departments of State and Justice, to expand judicial through-put and enhance the rule of law.

Managed legal review of intelligence programs, including interrogation operations and policy. Facilitated lawful efforts to maximize intelligence collection, retention, and dissemination.

Awarded Defense Meritorious Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious service in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Operational Law Attorney (Captain, O-3), I Corps & U.S. Army Garrison, Fort Lewis, WA 2005 - 2006

Principal legal advisor to the Commanding General and Senior Staff for International and domestic operational law.

Actively participated in the military decision-making process and effects-based planning as an Embedded Legal Advisor to bilateral, joint, and interagency operational planning teams. Collaborated with foreign military attorneys, including Japanese, Korean, and Thai Army officials, to negotiate a combined approach to legal support to operations.

Awarded Army Commendation Medal for superior service while assigned to I Corps & U.S. Army Garrison, Fort Lewis.

LAURA H. HELLER PAGE 2

Command Judge Advocate (Captain, O-3), 42nd Military Police Brigade, Multi-National Corps - Iraq, Baghdad, Iraq 2005

Principal legal advisor to the Brigade Commander, 3 Battalion Commanders, and 26 Company Commanders.

Managed over 22 legal actions per week, providing high-quality legal counsel in the areas of operational law, administrative law, detainee operations, military justice, and claims, in an aggressive operational tempo.

Initiated and implemented an inspection program to promote capacity-building within the Iraqi Police Service and enhance the rule of law. Worked directly with Iraqi law enforcement officials to correct deficiencies in detention standards.

Served as Instructor at the Iraqi Police Academy in human rights law, Iraqi criminal procedure, and evidence collection.

Awarded Bronze Star for exceptionally meritorious service while deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Administrative Law Attorney (Captain, O-3), West Point, NY & Fort Lewis, WA 2001 - 2003; 2004 - 2005

Advised the Commanding General and Senior Staff regarding Government ethics, as well as fiscal, information practice, and general administrative law. Served as I Corps' Acting Chief, Administrative Law, for a 3-month transition period, supervising a staff of 4 attorneys and 4 paralegals, while managing a personal caseload of up to 10 actions per day.

Appointed as a Military Magistrate, empowered to authorize pre-trial confinement and search warrants. Presided over 9 hearings, issuing well-reasoned, well-written opinions considered by the local Military Judge to be the best in the circuit.

Served with distinction as the Hearing Officer on more than 50 Cadet Honor Boards, focusing Board members and witnesses on key issues, fairly ruling on the admissibility of evidence, and articulating clear reasons for each decision.

Served as Soldier's Counsel in 13 cases before the Physical Evaluation Board, an administrative forum consisting of medical and personnel officers. Successfully increased individual physical disability ratings and medical retirement entitlements.

Awarded Army Commendation and Army Achievement Medals for superior service at the U.S. Military Academy.

Labor Law Attorney (Captain, O-3), West Point, NY & Fort Lewis, WA 2001 - 2003; 2004 - 2005

Represented the Department of the Army in 18 cases before various Federal administrative agencies, including the Merit Systems Protection Board, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and Federal Labor Relations Board.

Successfully developed Agency position, drafted and argued motions, prepared witnesses for litigation, presented Agency's case at hearing, and negotiated labor settlements.

Awarded Army Commendation Medal for superior service while assigned to I Corps & U.S. Army Garrison, Fort Lewis.

Brigade Judge Advocate (Captain, O-3), Joint Task Force Guantanamo, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba 2003

Served as principal legal advisor to the Commander and Senior Staff of a high-visibility detainee operations center.

Managed more than 30 actions per week; decreased action processing time by 38% through proactive case management.

Assumed a diplomatic-political role as principal Legal Liaison to the International Committee of the Red Cross; addressed perceived deficiencies in International detention standards on behalf of the command; negotiated agreement on the application of International detention standards in the facility.

Awarded Joint Service Commendation Medal for exceptionally meritorious service in Operation Enduring Freedom.

Legal Assistance Attorney (Captain, O-3), U.S. Military Academy, West Point, NY 2000 - 2001

Delivered legal advice and counsel to a client population of more than 30,000 service members and retirees, regarding family law, estate planning, landlord-tenant disputes, consumer law, bankruptcy, tax law, and military administrative law.

Provided defense services to more than 25 Cadets facing administrative disciplinary action, achieving 88% acquittal rate.

Supervisory member of a 4-person team awarded the Army Chief of Staff Award for Excellence in Legal Assistance; formally commended by the Commandant of Cadets for outstanding legal support to the Class of 2005 reception.

Attorney-Advisor (GS-12), Dispute Adjudication & Resolution, Social Security Administration, Seattle, WA 2006 - 2007

Drafted disability decisions in accordance with Administrative Law Judge guidance on medical disability claims.

Developed legal rationale for judicial findings based upon comprehensive analysis of Federal statutory and case law, as well as Agency rules and policy.

Thoroughly reviewed cases remanded on appeal; prepared in-depth analysis of relevant issues; drafted decisions which fully address all remand instructions and issues.

EDUCATION

JURIS DOCTORATE 1994

University of the Pacific, Sacramento, CA

BACHELOR OF ARTS, ANTHROPOLOGY 1991

California State University, Northridge, CA

Contact this candidate