Attorney Advisor

Profile

Advocate and adviser on a broad range of legal, operational, and policy matters. Proven record of achievement in internal and external investigations, negotiations, and ADR. Adept, effective communicator to a broad range of stakeholders in domestic and international audiences, in both Spanish and English.

Professional Experience

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

Counsel – Office of Civil Rights (CN-0905-60; since 2014) 2013 – Present

Counsel – Legal Division, Oversight Group (CN-0905-60)

Internal & External Investigations

Lead internal and external investigations, including responding to public inquiries. Managed teams of up to 10 lawyers and trained investigators. Evaluate multiple complex, novel legal questions and present on key civil rights issues as well as the Privacy Act, Title VII, and EEO matters. Manage delicate client, investigator, management, and external legal counsel interpersonal communications and negotiations. Recommend diplomatic solutions for frequently contentious, emotionally charged mediation and conciliation issues. Support Office director and colleagues on legal questions.

Negotiations & Mediation

Review multifaceted, unique issues of first impression and counsel senior management and mid-level lawyers at CFPB offices throughout the US in the developing/establishing of Dodd-Frank related rules. Advise and mediate among various CFPB offices when interests/objectives diverge; streamline production of final written work product. Serve as an adviser to CFPB legal management and senior management regarding matters connected to GAO and OIG audits and investigations; respond to Congressional inquiries and participate with Congressional correspondence and witness preparation.

U.S. Department of State

Office of Inspector General Associate General Counsel (GS-0905-15; since 2008) 2005 – 2013

Presidential Management Fellow Attorney Adviser (GS-0905-12)

Internal Investigations & Litigation

Managed a diverse, complex portfolio of issues, including interpreting government contracts, Fiscal law, the Foreign Corrupt Practice Act, the False Claims Act, inherently governmental functions, international law, immigration and nationality law, global trafficking in persons, and the Privacy Act. Conducted and managed internal and external Inspections, Audits, and Investigations worldwide as well as at the International Boundary and Water Commission and the Broadcasting Board of Governors (e.g., Voice of America). Critiqued, evaluated, and enhanced Audits, Investigations, and Inspections. Performed sophisticated, in-depth analysis developing legal and policy recommendations for resolution and further action by the Inspector General, responded to Congressional inquiries, made presentations on the Hill. Initiated and implemented innovative OIG-wide electronic FOIA and report redaction process.

Principal writer for all official testimony, litigation reports for Federal District Court and Federal Court of Appeals cases, legal correspondence, and MOUs. Chief Negotiator for Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative Interagency Agreements. Prepared witnesses for Federal District Court case depositions and testimony for bid protest cases. Provided counsel and drafted critical documents for Administrative Hearings and Federal District Court Civil proceedings. Represented the Department at Administrative Hearings on nationality and U.S. Passport denial cases.

Leadership & Client Advisory

Directed multiple overseas missions and domestic agencies on nationality law, consular notifications, law enforcement collaboration, the FAR, and public policy. Oversaw complete design and launch of the Arkansas Passport Center.

International Counseling

American Citizens Services (ACS) Chief in Buenos Aires, Argentina, charged with handling diverse legal questions and high-profile briefings to government officials, the Consul General, and the Ambassador. Managed ACS local staff, daily operations. Conducted external and internal presentations in Spanish and English.

US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, The Hon. Arthur L. Alarcón

Legal Extern January – June 2004

Distinctions & Honors

U.S. Department of State Meritorious Honor Award for exceptional service enhancing efficiency and effectiveness of the Bureau of Consular Affairs

U.S. Department of State Meritorious Honor Award for exemplary teamwork, coordination, management, and on-schedule launch of the Arkansas Passport Center

U.S. Department of State Meritorious Honor Award for exemplary OIG Inspection resulting in cost savings, eradication of management control deficiencies, and complete reorganization of Department Directorate

U.S. Department of State Franklin Award for innovation, superior performance, customer service, and excellent teamwork

Presidential Management Fellow

National Merit Scholar

Admissions & Professional Affiliations

California Bar United States Supreme Court

District of Columbia Bar Supreme Court of the State of California

American Bar Association: District of Columbia Court of Appeals

Dispute Resolution Section U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

Judicial Division U.S. Court of International Trade

Labor & Employment Law Section Warren J. Ferguson Inn of Court

Government & Public Sector Attorneys Certified Investigator

Executive Women @ State (EW@S)

Education

The George Washington University Law School

LL.M., summa cum laude, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Negotiations, & Trial Advocacy, 2005

Chapman University Fowler School of Law

J.D., cum laude, 2004

Loyola University School of Law – Cuernavaca, Mexico

Comparative Law and Advanced Spanish legal vocabulary, Summer 2003

California State University, Fullerton

B.A., magna cum laude, English Literature, Political Science, 2001

Languages

Business proficient in Spanish, basic Italian.

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