Attorney on the Project for Children with Complex Medical Needs, managing a caseload of up to 25 children who have significant medical needs
Serve as a liaison with the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia to teach residents about child welfare
Consult with staff attorneys, staff social workers, and volunteer attorneys on matters related to medical needs of clients.
Attorney
Child Advocacy Unit, Defender Association of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA
06.2015 - 09.2019
Represented foster children, serving as the child's voice and advocating for the child's best interest in adjudicatory, permanency, child abuse, and termination of parental rights hearings
Advocated for children outside of court by participating in client meetings, communicating with caseworkers and foster parents, and collaborating with Child Advocate social workers
Maintained regular contact with child and young adult clients
Wrote motions and appellate briefs in termination of parental rights, adjudication, and child abuse appeals
Managed a caseload of up to 160 children.
Law Clerk
Hon. Mark P. Tarantino, Burlington County Superior Court, Family Division
Mt. Holly, NJ
08.2014 - 06.2015
Wrote responses to motions during child abuse and neglect placement and review hearings.
Clinical Intern
Family Alternative Dispute Resolution Clinic
Charlottesville, VA
08.2013 - 05.2014
Co-mediated child custody disputes to assist parents in coming to amicable agreements on custody and visitation
Participated in multi-day training on family mediation and other forms of dispute resolution.
Volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocate
Piedmont Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)
Charlottesville, VA
09.2012 - 05.2014
Clinical Intern
Child Advocacy Clinic, Legal Aid Justice Center
Charlottesville, VA
08.2012 - 05.2014
Represented children in family custody, special immigrant juvenile status, special education, child in need of services, and serious offender review hearings
Researched policy issues on shackling juveniles and advocated for policy change.
Legal Intern
Children's Law Center
Washington, DC
08.2013 - 11.2013
Researched legal issues for guardians ad litem, including children's rights to social security disability payments and the impact of adoption on immigration status.
Pro Bono Volunteer
Just Children, Legal Aid Justice Center
Charlottesville, VA
08.2011 - 05.2012
Conducted intake interviews with potential clients and worked with attorneys to advise clients.
Family Greeter Intern
Safe Passage Child Advocacy Center
Colorado Springs, CO
06.2009 - 08.2009
Participated in monthly case review of victims of sexual assault with attorneys, social workers, child advocates, and police officers
Performed outreach to past clients and organized support groups
Observed forensic interviews of children and parents/guardians.
Legal Intern
Support Center for Child Advocates
Philadelphia, PA
05.2013
Represented foster children in court hearings to ensure appropriate placements and to obtain special immigrant juvenile status
Wrote appellate briefs in termination of parental rights appeals
Visited children and families in their homes to assess placements and meet with children in a comfortable environment.
Legal Intern
DC Volunteer Lawyers Project
Washington, DC
05.2012
Researched legal issues for custody guardians ad litem; interviewed child clients and families
Wrote court documents, including motions to seal, motions to dismiss, proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law.
Student Teacher
School of Education, College of William and Mary
Williamsburg, VA
Observed and practiced teaching in 2nd grade as well as other primary grades
Participated in Individual Education Plan meetings for disabled students
Taught language, math, social studies, and science to students at different ability levels, including children with intellectual and physical disabilities.
Education
J.D. -
University of Virginia School of Law
05.2014
Bergstrom Child Welfare Law Fellowship, University of Michigan Law School
05.2013
B.A. - Elementary Education and Sociology
College of William and Mary
05.2011
Affiliations
National Association of Counsel for Children, Member
Bar Admissions
Pennsylvania, 10/27/2014
New Jersey, 11/11/2014
Timeline
Attorney
Support Center for Child Advocates
09.2019 - Current
Attorney
Child Advocacy Unit, Defender Association of Philadelphia
06.2015 - 09.2019
Law Clerk
Hon. Mark P. Tarantino, Burlington County Superior Court, Family Division
08.2014 - 06.2015
Clinical Intern
Family Alternative Dispute Resolution Clinic
08.2013 - 05.2014
Legal Intern
Children's Law Center
08.2013 - 11.2013
Legal Intern
Support Center for Child Advocates
05.2013
Volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocate
Piedmont Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)
09.2012 - 05.2014
Clinical Intern
Child Advocacy Clinic, Legal Aid Justice Center
08.2012 - 05.2014
Legal Intern
DC Volunteer Lawyers Project
05.2012
Pro Bono Volunteer
Just Children, Legal Aid Justice Center
08.2011 - 05.2012
Family Greeter Intern
Safe Passage Child Advocacy Center
06.2009 - 08.2009
Student Teacher
School of Education, College of William and Mary
J.D. -
University of Virginia School of Law
Bergstrom Child Welfare Law Fellowship, University of Michigan Law School
Registered Behavior Technician at Child Development Center 42 Force Support SquadronRegistered Behavior Technician at Child Development Center 42 Force Support Squadron