Florence B. Cornish
Junction City,Kansas
Summary
Accomplished Attorney offering 14-year record of supporting clients in legal matters. Communicates clearly and effectively with clients, opposing counsel, jurors and judges. Adept at developing lasting professional relationships.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Disability & Aging Crime Victims Unit Attorney
Disability Rights Center Of Kansas
02.2021 - Current
- Developed strategies to resolve cases in client's best interest.
- Conducted legal research and conferred with colleagues with subject matter expertise to develop strategies and arguments in preparation for presentation of cases.
- Represented clients in administrative proceedings before government agencies.
- Developed legal strategies to protect client interests and resolve disputes.
- Researched and interpreted laws, rulings and regulations to advise clients on business and legal transactions.
Child Advocate Attorney/Children in Need of Care Attorney
Geary County District Court
01.2018 - 02.2021
- Served as Guardian Ad Litem and represented juveniles in criminal matters
- Responsible for management of large caseloads, maintaining comprehensive physical case files, as well as filing pleadings and motions with the Court in response to administrative and procedural elements of each case
- Advocated for permanent and safe home for every child-client by working with Child Advocate Investigators to investigate and conduct interviews with child-clients and other relevant persons, conducting home assessments, visits to foster case placements such as: group homes, residential treatment facilities and detention, reviewing all related legal, medical, therapeutic, placement, and biographical information documents, as well as subpoenaing relevant persons and documents for trial
- Actively participated in litigation process by examining witnesses, submitting evidence and making independent recommendations to Court regarding issues of dependency, custody and permanency planning.
Trial Defense Counsel
United States Army
09.2015 - 09.2017
- Advised over 400 clients facing criminal investigations, administrative separations, and non-judicial punishment; drafted & prepared discovery, pleadings, pre-trial motions, strategies, and arguments in preparation for trial
- Litigated nine felony and misdemeanor trails; interviewed and prepared witnesses and clients for trial
- Conduct field investigations leading to cases being disposed of at the administrative level.
Administrative Law/Operational Law Attorney
United States Army
07.2014 - 09.2015
- Processed and thoroughly reviewed over 75 multi-million-dollar fiscal/contract law actions in accordance with federal laws and Army regulations
- Reviewed policies and post regulations ensuring legal compliance with state and federal laws
- Provided sound, thorough, and timely advice on over 400 administrative law actions
- Served as Military Magistrate to Fort Riley interpreting the law and rendering opinions on search and seizure warrants and pretrial confinement.
Administrative Law Attorney/Special Assistant United States Attorney
United States Army
07.2013 - 07.2014
- Served as legal advisor to the Family Advocacy Case Review Committee and the Installation Program Review Board
- Prosecuted over 120 misdemeanor and traffic cases before the Alaska United States District Court (Fairbanks) resulting in a perfect conviction rate
- Legally reviewed over 140 administrative law actions requiring research of local/federal laws and Army Regulations
- Conducted military legal classes for military law enforcement personnel, victim advocates, and instructors.
- Served as a liaison between the United States Attorney''s Office and other federal agencies, fostering cooperation and information exchange among all parties involved
Trial Counsel/Special Assistant United States Attorney
United States Army
07.2012 - 07.2013
- Served as Military prosecutor representing the United States Government in trial and investigative hearings for felony and misdemeanor cases including sexual assault, larceny and fraud; negotiated offers to plead guilty and drafted motions, memorandums and stipulations of fact in reference to these cases
- Prepared and interviewed child witnesses, expert witnesses and other witnesses in preparation for trials
- Conducted legal research routinely to provide senior leaders with competent and timely oral and written legal advice on criminal and adverse administrative actions.
Administrative Law Attorney
United States Army
08.2011 - 07.2012
- Interpreted laws, policies and regulations on complex issues for installation and senior leaders
- Reviewed and drafted written legal opinions on 300 administrative law issues in accordance with state laws, federal laws and regulations
- Facilitated and trained military and civilian police officers on criminal procedures.
Special Assistant United States Attorney
United States Army
10.2010 - 08.2011
- Prosecuted over 190 misdemeanor cases involving various offenses such as DUI, assault and battery, larceny, and disorderly conduct
- Conducted field investigations resulting in high conviction rate: prepared motions and pleadings for court appearances and trials
- Conducted research routinely for cases in preparation of court proceedings and trials.
Legal Assistant Attorney
United States Army
11.2009 - 10.2010
- Served as military equivalent of a Legal Aid Attorney providing legal advice to military members and their families on civil legal matters including divorce, child custody and support, consumer law, estate planning, landlord/tenant disputes, and the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act
- Drafted over 600 wills, advance health case directives and separation agreements
- Drafted and prepared pleadings and documents for filing in local family courts.
3rd Year Practice Law Intern
DeKalb Public Defender’s Office
05.2007 - 08.2007
- Worked on all aspects of juvenile cases including researched legal issues: represented juveniles in court; prepared reports & court orders; managed case files; interviewed clients & potential witnesses: and visited clients at schools, institutions, and detention facilities.
Education
Juris Doctor - Law
Vermont Law School
Vermont, VT01.2008
Bachelor of Science - Political Science
Savannah State University
Savannah, Georgia01.2005
Skills
- Conflict Resolution
- Time Management
- Knowledge of Substantive Law and Legal Procedure
- Legal/Non-Legal Research
- Extremely Organized
- Case Management
- Client Representation
- Trial Experience
- Case Interpretation
Bar Admissions
- Georgia, 2008
- Kansas, 2017
- Missouri, 2018
Timeline
Disability & Aging Crime Victims Unit Attorney
Disability Rights Center Of Kansas
02.2021 - Current
Child Advocate Attorney/Children in Need of Care Attorney
Geary County District Court
01.2018 - 02.2021
Trial Defense Counsel
United States Army
09.2015 - 09.2017
Administrative Law/Operational Law Attorney
United States Army
07.2014 - 09.2015
Administrative Law Attorney/Special Assistant United States Attorney
United States Army
07.2013 - 07.2014
Trial Counsel/Special Assistant United States Attorney
United States Army
07.2012 - 07.2013
Administrative Law Attorney
United States Army
08.2011 - 07.2012
Special Assistant United States Attorney
United States Army
10.2010 - 08.2011
Legal Assistant Attorney
United States Army
11.2009 - 10.2010
3rd Year Practice Law Intern
DeKalb Public Defender’s Office
05.2007 - 08.2007
Juris Doctor - Law
Vermont Law School
Bachelor of Science - Political Science
Savannah State University
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