Kali Lamb
Philadelphia,PA
Summary
Passionate advocate with a fierce determination to fight for the rights of individuals during and after incarceration. Skilled in client advocacy, legal research, document proofreading and preparation, and efficiently managing caseloads to support clients in achieving a second chance at stable employment. Combining my formal education in sociology with my experience living unhoused, and later incarcerated, I am deeply committed to advancing social justice, promoting racial equity, and ensuring equal opportunities for people impacted by the criminal justice system.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Employment Unit Paralegal
Community Legal Services
01.2023 - Current
- Conduct legal research on state and federal laws regarding criminal records, sealing, and expungement eligibility
- Manage case files, ensuring all deadlines and documentation requirements are met for expungement filings and hearings
- Draft well-written demand letters on behalf of my clients and negotiate settlement with opposing counsel
- Assist clients in overcoming challenges related to background checks and employment discrimination due to criminal records
- Prepared legal briefs, motions, and pleadings.
- Conducted detailed client intakes and entered information into legal database.
- Communicated with clients, opposing counsel and court personnel to keep all parties informed on case updates.
- Ensured compliance with court rules and procedures by accurately preparing and submitting legal filings within established timeframes.
- Managed scheduling of court calendars and deadlines to maintain smooth flow of firm operations.
- Maintained and updated organized client contact information to keep in touch with clients and provide updates on cases.
- Facilitated timely and accurate billing by recording billable hours, expenses, and other relevant information in the firm's billing system.
- Edited and proofread legal petitions before filing.
2023 Spring Fellow
People's Paper Co-op
01.2023 - 07.2023
- Collaborated with other formerly incarcerated women, writing and editing journals and essays on our collective experiences in and our of jails and prisons.
- Advocated for the end of mass incarceration and the cash-bail system.
- Raised funds, through various projects, for our annual "Momma's Day Bail Out".
- Supported women who are currently incarcerated in Philadelphia.
- Held a safe space for growth, art, grief, healing and expression.
Undergraduate Research Associate
Appalachian State University
01.2011 - 01.2012
- Researched the effects of gender violence inside institutions, such as jails and prisons and wrote research briefs on impacts
- Collaborated with faculty advisors to develop innovative research methodologies for various projects.
- Completed research, compiled data, updated spreadsheets, and produced timely reports.
- Completed research, compiled data, and assisted in timely reporting.
- Conducted literature reviews to identify relevant research articles and support project objectives.
- Participated in regular meetings with project stakeholders for clear communication of progress updates and addressing concerns promptly.
Education
Coursework Toward Bachelor's Degree - Sociology
Appalachian State University
Boone, NC01.2012
Associate of Arts - Sociology
Cape Fear Community College
Wilmington, NC05-2009
Associate of Arts - Psychology
Cape Fear Community College
Wilmington, NC05-2009
Skills
- Legal writing and research
- Legal research
- Proofreading
- Records management
- Proficient in MS office
- Client communication
- Court filing
- Calendar management
Accomplishments
- Successfully implemented a new system within our organization to support clients with recent convictions in advocating for meaningful employment, securing over 80% of clients the jobs and opportunities that they had initially been denied.
- Spearheaded a focus on record clearing for survivors of sex-trafficking, organizing outreaching and education for the community.
- Partnered with the City of Philadelphia's Reentry team to go off-site twice monthly and provide legal consultations to participants.
- Provided employment support for over 200 clients with criminal records in 2 years.
- Worked alongside select colleagues to advance legislative protections under Philadelphia's local criminal record screening laws.
Professional Speaking Engagements
- Moderator and Panelist, ABA/NLADA Equal Justice Conference, 2023, Dallas, TX
- Panelist, Criminal Record Advocacy Conference, 2024, Philadelphia, PA
- Panelist, MIE Conference, 2024, Atlanta, GA
Timeline
2023 Spring Fellow
People's Paper Co-op
01.2023 - 07.2023
Employment Unit Paralegal
Community Legal Services
01.2023 - Current
Undergraduate Research Associate
Appalachian State University
01.2011 - 01.2012
Coursework Toward Bachelor's Degree - Sociology
Appalachian State University
Associate of Arts - Sociology
Cape Fear Community College
Associate of Arts - Psychology
Cape Fear Community College
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