Running (completed three marathons including NY Marathon and Marine Corps Marathon)
Biking
HIking
Cooking
Katherine (Katie) Ward
Cambridge ,MA
Summary
Dedicated legal professional offering expertise in [Type] law. Proven success in building trusting rapport with clients and offering sound legal advice in clear and universal terms. Hardworking and dedicated to client advocacy.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Lieutenant Commander
U.S. Coast Guard
2012.05 - Current
Senior Staff Attorney
U.S. Coat Guard First Districit
2022.06 - Current
- Designated as Special Assistant to the U.S. Attorney's Office (District of New Jersey) in multi-year investigation and prosecution of environmental crimes, including the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships, resulting in multi-million dollar settlement
- Designated as legal advisor in high-profile district formal marine casualty investigation and public hearing of vessel fire and related fatalities in Newark, New Jersey, redefined role of legal advisor during hearing and establishing new practices
- Effective interagency coordination with NOAA and legal advice for xx fisheries boardings to ensure deterrence of illegal activity and compliance with resource conservation laws
- Advised on oil pollution mitigation efforts to minimize environmental impact and ensure adherence to the Oil Pollution Act for multiple shipwrecked vessels and pollution events
- Delivered comprehensive legal advice on military crimes and their disposition, guiding commanders on appropriate disciplinary actions and ensuring compliance with the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ).
- Provided counsel on administrative rulemakings for novel offshore wind construction, civil suits, and freedom of information act (FOIA) requests to the Coast Guard
- Advised responsive district commander during TITAN submersible search and rescue efforts
Special Victims' Counsel (SVC)
U.S. Coast Guard
2020.06 - 2022.06
- Represented xx victims of sexual assault and other sensitive crimes, ensuring their rights and interests were protected throughout the military justice process.
- Originated training for new regional office to educate fleet on the resource, training over xx members
- Advised and prepared clients for courtroom proceedings, including trial testimonies and cross-examinations, to ensure they felt supported and empowered.
- Conducted thorough legal research and prepared persuasive legal arguments to support clients' positions in court during xx motions hearings and xx trials.
Military Disability Evaluation Counsel
U.S. Coast Guard
2020.06 - 2022.06
- Advocated in xx appeals with extensive legal research and argument to gain medical retirement for xx members, increasing benefits to xx
- Provided legal counsel to xx clients on diverse medial conditions in achieving best results for disability assessment
Military Aide to the President
The White House
2015.07 - 2020.05
- Selected for prestigious and competitive program, established since 1902, after a rigorous multi-round interview and year-long clearance process with CG and the White House
- Directly support the President and Vice President of the United States, the First Lady, and Staff in the coordination and execution of 50+ annual White House official events including Inauguration, the Nuclear Summit, and the United Nations General Assembly
- Qualified as Officer in Charge, directly responsible for leading joint-service military aide staff of 30+ officers during WH events.
- Program Manager and Senior Aide of the Coast Guard: directly lead and support 10+ senior CG officers in processing, scheduling, and training. Coordinate interviews and make final selection of new CG aides.
- Represent CG and the United States at the highest levels during events attended by world leaders, foreign diplomats, and celebrities during both the Obama and Trump administrations.
Branch Chief of Human Resources & Administration
CG Personnel Service Center (CG PSC)
2014.06 - 2017.06
- Headed the administrative branch at Lieutenant and staff of six in service of 300+ members at CG PSC, a billet slated for a Lieutenant Commander
- Board for Correction of Military Records (BCMR) Coordinator for the CG: annually drafted 250+ advisory opinions in response to servicemember's requests to correct substantial errors/injustices. Extensively researched, compiled evidence, and developed recommendations, each requiring over three months of review for final submission to DHS Board. Assisted to formulate policy with CG-wide impact as a result of BCMR rulings.
- Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Officer: annually responded to 45+ sensitive information requests to the CG from high-level news entities including The NY Times and Associated Press for personnel matters. Requests totaled to 1000+ pages of info that required great scrutiny for releasability and redaction. Ensured CG compliance with FOIA statutory regulations
- Formal Medical Board Member: served as board member on four tried cases to determine injured CG member’s disability rating
- Partners in Education Coordinator for CG PSC: coordinated events and tutoring opportunities for 300+ CG PSC members at local Washington D.C. schools. Tutored weekly at local disadvantaged middle school in mathematics class
Student Engineering Officer (EO)
U.S. Coast Guard Cutter SHERMAN
2012.06 - 2014.06
- Direct representative of the EO, having near-total authority in the direction and operation of the ship's $30 million-dollar propulsion plant and extensive auxiliary systems in support of CG missions including Search and Rescue, Drug Interdiction, and Fishery Patrols
- Volunteer outreach coordinator: established recurrent Meal-on-Wheels volunteer program in greater San Diego area
- Auxiliary Division Officer: supervised largest division in the Engineering Department, directly in charge of 15 personnel. Responsible for the maintenance of critical systems onboard ship including refrigeration, air conditioning, and water supply
- Damage Control Training Officer: selected to lead the ongoing training program of 150-member crew in fire-fighting and damage control. Directed 50+ ship-wide drills significantly increasing overall crew safety and emergency response capability
- Fueling Officer: successfully directed 25+ fueling evolutions with team of 20 personnel for the onload of 500K+ gallons of fuel
Education
J.D. -
Georgetown University Law Center
Washington, D.C.05.2020
Bachelor of Science - Operations Research (OR) and Computer Analysis
United States Coast Guard Academy (USCGA)
New London, CT05.2012
Skills
- Criminal Law
- Environmental Law
- Case analysis
- Case Management
- Criminal Investigations
- Environmental laws and litigation
- Legal Compliance
- Client Representation
Certification
Certified 200-Hr Yoga Instructor
Yoga Instructor (Corepower Yoga, Barre & Soul, Take Care Yoga, Shefa Yoga): July 2014 - Present
instruct class of 10-40 students ranging in abilities in power vinyasa flow
Interests
Timeline
Senior Staff Attorney
U.S. Coat Guard First Districit
2022.06 - Current
Special Victims' Counsel (SVC)
U.S. Coast Guard
2020.06 - 2022.06
Military Disability Evaluation Counsel
U.S. Coast Guard
2020.06 - 2022.06
Military Aide to the President
The White House
2015.07 - 2020.05
Branch Chief of Human Resources & Administration
CG Personnel Service Center (CG PSC)
2014.06 - 2017.06
Student Engineering Officer (EO)
U.S. Coast Guard Cutter SHERMAN
2012.06 - 2014.06
Lieutenant Commander
U.S. Coast Guard
2012.05 - Current
J.D. -
Georgetown University Law Center
Bachelor of Science - Operations Research (OR) and Computer Analysis
United States Coast Guard Academy (USCGA)
Certified 200-Hr Yoga Instructor
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