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