Grace Nichols

** ******* **. ** *** Portland, ME 04101

ad47wy@r.postjobfree.com 518-***-****

EDUCATION

University of Maine School of Law

Juris Doctor anticipated May 2024

• Intern with the Conservation Law Foundation, Fall 2023

• Intern with the Governors’ Energy Office, Clean Energy Partnership, from 10/2022- Summer 2023

• Intern with the Workers Compensation Board, Maine WCB, Summer 2022. University at Albany, Albany NY

B. S. Biology 2005

• Research at Wadsworth Institute/toxicology labs

Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA.

California Clear Multi-Subject Teaching Credential (K-12) 1995 SUNY Binghamton, Binghamton

B.A. in History, Concentration Labor History 1987

• Editor-in-Chief, Student Newspaper

• Alfred V. House Departmental Award in History

SELECT PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Maine Governor’s Energy Office, August, ME October 2022 to August 2023 Legal Intern

• Researched statutes related to the clean energy workforce.

• Contributed to collaborative research and drafting of a proposed statute.

• Prepared inventory of training programs for aspiring clean energy workers.

• Helped provide curriculum re. Clean Energy Careers to teachers. Maine Workers’ Compensation Board, Portland, ME

Legal Intern June – August 2022

• Supported Board attorneys to defend workers’ interests in disputes with insurance companies and employers regarding work-related injuries.

• Conducted legal research and wrote memoranda on a variety of issues raised in Workers Compensation hearings. Wrote letters to doctors requesting their opinions.

• Communicated with workers and opposing counsel; prepared cases; requested and organized evidence and discovery documents; reviewed medical evidence. New York Office of Temporary & Disability Assistance, Albany, NY Disability Analyst September 2009 – June 2021

• Made disability determination decisions using medical and legal analysis.

• Helped claimants negotiate the process of applying for SSI/SSDI. Achievement Academy Charter School, Albany, NY

7th and 8th Grade Science Teacher September 2007 – September 2008 St Anne Institute, Albany, NY

7th and 8th Grade Science Teacher September 2006 – September 2007 New York Association of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services, Albany, NY Program Manager, Advance Directives Provider Training Project 2000 – 2002

• Led a team of six trainers who conducted over 2000 trainings for doctors, nurses and social workers regarding the use of advance directives in behavioral healthcare. American Indian Public Charter School, Oakland, CA 1998-1999 Middle School Science Teacher

Substitute Teaching (In San Francisco, CA and Hoopa Valley, CA) 1993-1994;1996-1998 Berkeley Ecology Center, Berkeley, CA

Bookstore Manager and Membership Director 1989 – 1992 SELECT VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE

PEF Environmental Justice Solidarity 2016-2018

• Organized workers in the Public Employees’ Federation to speak out against a gas powered plant nearby our Albany, NY workplace (Sheridan Hollow).

• Organized two environmental justice teach-in events.

• Active union member for 11 years.

Clear Air Coalition, New York 2016 - 2018

• Advocated passage of groundbreaking Albany County clean air legislation. Save the Pine Bush, New York 2004 - 2018

• Advocated for preservation of inland pine barrens.

• Worked on newsletter, monthly hikes, fundraising dinners, community participation in hearings and support work for environmental litigation.

• Served as Solidarity Coordinator and Science Testimony Coordinator. SKILLS

• Medical and legal analysis.

• Teaching and curriculum development: Biology, History. Wrote Clean Energy Curriculum for Maine Teachers; Wrote Anatomy and Physiology curriculum for Students at Mildred Elley College in Albany, NY where I taught evenings.

• Knowledge of both the environmental and disability rights communities, and services that are available to clients.

• Data gathering and analysis

• Newsletter production; media and community outreach

• Drafting legislation; organizing public support; soliciting and organizing testimony

• Spanish semi-fluent; travelled in Mexico and Guatemala. REFERENCES:

Dr. Marietta Angelotti, MD, Review Doctor at Social Security Administration, (2015-2021) ad47wy@r.postjobfree.com

Mr. Nigel Stevens, Esq., Worker Advocate at the Maine Workers Compensation Board, ad47wy@r.postjobfree.com, 207-***-****

Ms. Tagwongo Obomsawin, Maine Clean Energy Partnership of the Governor’s Energy Office,

207-***-****, ad47wy@r.postjobfree.com.

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