Amber D. Grier
Germantown Hills,IL
Summary
Forensic psychology and indigent-defense professional with extensive experience conducting capital and non-capital mitigation, witness investigation, social-history development, records analysis, and client-centered case work. Skilled in locating and interviewing witnesses; building multi-generational life histories; synthesizing medical, mental-health, educational, social-service, employment, and other records; identifying trauma and mitigating evidence; and translating findings into clear reports, chronologies, genograms, trauma maps, and case-strategy materials. Experienced collaborating with attorneys, experts, investigators, treatment providers, courts, and community stakeholders in high-stakes matters involving mental illness, substance use, violence, poverty, trauma, and family systems.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Trial Mitigation Specialist
Federal Public Defender, Central District of Illinois
Peoria, IL
09.2021 - 10.2026
- Developed detailed, multi-generational life histories based on exhaustive record collections and culturally competent interviews with family, friends, employers, teachers and other significant people in a client’s life. Present summaries of records and interviews to defense attorneys
- Maintained expertise in social sciences relating to poverty, crime, violence, mental illness, race, trauma, and other forensic research issues, educating attorneys and other team members about these areas
- Worked closely with attorneys and other team members to develop case theory and identify mitigating factors
- Interpreted findings and developed materials (genograms, social histories, chronologies, trauma maps) for defense team and trials
- Prepared written mitigation reports for sentencing hearings
- Researched, interviewed, and hired appropriate expert witnesses based upon identified case needs
- Located and interviewed mitigation and investigative witnesses
- Conducted research on mitigation themes and factors that yielded best outcomes with jurors
- Assessed treatment needs of clients and when applicable coordinate mental health and substance abuse treatment intake appointments and progress for clients in the community
Director of Assessment & Referral
Aurora Behavioral Health Hospital
Tempe, AZ
07.2020 - 08.2021
- Managed the day-to-day intake operations for a Level 1 acute, 138 bed psychiatric hospital.
- Collaborated with medical staff, hospital administrators, treatment team members, and external referral sources
- Developed and implemented department policies and procedures that guide the provision of services.
- Conducted quality assurance and quality improvement plans for all crisis triage, evaluation, intake and admission services
- Monitored and analyzed department performance data to better streamline admissions and identify opportunities for improvement. Ensured compliance with all facility policies
- Provided staff management to include hiring, development, training, and performance management and communication to ensure effective and efficient department operations.
- Attended hospital flash meetings to report on daily intake operations
- Oversaw the timely submission of prior authorization requests for all inpatient admissions
- Developed and led training activities to enhance clinical assessment skills that promote hospital admissions.
- Served as the department’s fiscal manager
Intake Clinician, Supervisor
Quail Run Behavioral Health
Phoenix, AZ
10.2014 - 07.2020
- Conducted in-person and telephonic risk, crisis, and psychological assessments with acute psychiatric patients; evaluated appropriate levels of care and referrals to inpatient, IOP, and PHP services.
- Supported department operations through staff supervision, performance improvement, policy drafting, complaint responses, hiring input, and hospital-administration collaboration.
Juvenile Drug Court Coordinator
Superior Court of Arizona
Phoenix, AZ
02.2014 - 10.2014
- Oversaw the daily operations of programs and projects involved in Juvenile Drug Court
- Assisted in program administration, divisional and operational planning
- Developed policy and procedures in conjunction with Juvenile Judges and relevant stakeholders
- Facilitated Steering committee meetings and led best practice program improvement efforts to ensure program fidelity
- Designed and conducted research projects and surveys, performed statistical analysis on program measures, and prepared management reports
- Prepared grant proposals and participated in community outreach efforts
- Participated in administrative meetings to provide specialized expertise and serve as information source to the Judicial Bench
- Acted as a liaison between Juvenile Probation, Judicial Officers, Court Administration, and Treatment Providers
- Conducted orientation presentations with drug court participants and training presentations for Judicial Officers
Capital Mitigation Specialist
Maricopa County Public Defender’s Office
Phoenix, AZ
10.2012 - 08.2013
- Aided representation of indigent defendants facing capital murder charges through the development of evidence relevant to alleged culpability and possible punishment
- Developed and maintained positive and productive working relationships with clients and significant other case participants while conducting weekly visits with the incarcerated client
- Developed detailed, multi-generational life histories based on exhaustive record collections and culturally competent interviews with family, friends, employers, teachers and other significant people in a client’s life. Presented summaries of records and interviews to defense team members
- Maintained expertise in social sciences relating to poverty, crime, violence, mental illness, race, trauma, and other forensic research issues, educating attorneys and other team members about these areas
- Worked closely with attorneys and other team members to develop case theory and identify mitigating factors
- Interpret findings and develop materials (genograms, social histories, chronologies, trauma maps) for defense team and trials
- Prepared written mitigation arguments advocating against death penalty filings for County Attorney
- Researched, interviewed, and hired appropriate expert witnesses based upon identified case needs
- Located and interviewed mitigation and investigative witnesses
- Assisted in jury selection and made recommendations for jury questionnaires
- Conducted research on mitigation themes and factors that yielded best outcomes with capital jurors
Counselor
Sage Counseling
Mesa, AZ
09.2010 - 09.2012
- Conducted clinical interviews and assessments, violence/suicide/homicide risk evaluations, individual and group counseling, recidivism assessment, and court/probation reporting.
Long Term Care Case Manager
Bridgeway Health Solutions/Mercy Care Plan
Tempe, AZ
01.2007 - 09.2012
- Completed clinical, medical, safety, and risk assessments; coordinated services; provided crisis intervention, advocacy, and multi-disciplinary case management for elderly and disabled adults.
Human Services Worker III- Investigations
Adult Protective Services
Phoenix, AZ
11.2006 - 01.2007
- Investigated allegations of abuse, neglect, and exploitation through victim and alleged-offender interviews; completed home visits, capacity evaluations, risk assessments, guardianship petitions, and community referrals.
Child Protective Services Liaison/Family Support Specialist
Valle del Sol
Phoenix, AZ
01.2005 - 11.2006
- Consulted on child-abuse matters; assessed family violence, abuse, mental-health concerns, and child-endangerment risk; provided home-based services, supervised staff, coordinated with CPS, and testified regarding family safety, risk, and progress.
Education
Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology -
Argosy University
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology - Child and Family Psychology
Azusa Pacific University
Skills
- Trauma-Informed Assessment
- Cognitive and Neurodevelopmental Screening
- Case Theory & Litigation Strategy Support
- Record Collection, Review & Synthesis
- Witness Identification, Location, & Interviews
- Chronologies, Genograms, & Trauma Maps
- Expert Identification & Coordination
- Mult-Generational Social Histories
- Alternative Sentencing/Re-entry Plans
- Sentencing reports
Core Investigation Mitigation Skills
- Trauma-Informed Assessment
- Record Collection, Review & Synthesis
- Expert Identification & Coordination
- Cognitive and Neurodevelopmental Screening
- Witness Identification, Location, & Interviews
- Mult-Generational Social Histories
- Case Theory & Litigation Strategy Support
- Chronologies, Genograms, & Trauma Maps
- Alternative Sentencing/Re-entry Plans
Timeline
Trial Mitigation Specialist
Federal Public Defender, Central District of Illinois
09.2021 - 10.2026
Director of Assessment & Referral
Aurora Behavioral Health Hospital
07.2020 - 08.2021
Intake Clinician, Supervisor
Quail Run Behavioral Health
10.2014 - 07.2020
Juvenile Drug Court Coordinator
Superior Court of Arizona
02.2014 - 10.2014
Capital Mitigation Specialist
Maricopa County Public Defender’s Office
10.2012 - 08.2013
Counselor
Sage Counseling
09.2010 - 09.2012
Long Term Care Case Manager
Bridgeway Health Solutions/Mercy Care Plan
01.2007 - 09.2012
Human Services Worker III- Investigations
Adult Protective Services
11.2006 - 01.2007
Child Protective Services Liaison/Family Support Specialist
Valle del Sol
01.2005 - 11.2006
Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology -
Argosy University
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology - Child and Family Psychology
Azusa Pacific University