Dry Creek Mediation and Conflict Resolution, LLC, Owner (2019 - Present)
Administrative Hearing Officer in Idaho, Utah, and Wyoming presiding over administrative due process hearings under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA); contractor with the Idaho Department of Education (IDE), the Utah State Board of Education (USBE), and the Wyoming Department of Education (WDE) to serve as mediator in high conflict special education disputes; contractor with the Idaho Department of Education (IDE), the Utah State Board of Education (USBE) to serve as facilitator in high conflict disputes; IDE, USBE, and WDE state complaint investigator regarding alleged violations of the IDEA; consultant on disputes regarding section 504 accommodations, plans, and disciplinary practices; private mediator in civil rights disputes between Lead Educational Agencies, parents, and/or students arising under the ADA, IDEA, Section 504, Section 1983, and Title IX. Participant in quarterly TAES and CADRE trainings and workgroups.
Court Appointed Mediator (2019)
Volunteer mediator in Ada and Boise counties in small claims, eviction, magistrate, criminal, and post-divorce disputes. Former member of the Idaho Mediation Association; completed 120 hours of formal mediation training.
Coalition to Save San Clemente (2016 - 2020)
Board member, consultant, fundraiser, and activist to promote transparency within local government in Orange County; met with mayors, Congressional candidates, and community stakeholders regarding fraud in the rehabilitation industry, the ethical treatment of addicts, homelessness, community crime and safety, conflicts of interest, special interest groups, lobbyists, developers, and opposition to proposed infrastructure; participated in collaborative community efforts which ultimately prevented a proposed multi-billions dollar toll road extension.
Office of Orange County Counsel, Deputy County Counsel (2005 - 2008, 2012 - 2013)
Assigned to the child protection trial team representing the Orange County Department of Social Services in child abuse litigation from initial detention through all dependency hearings and trials including termination of parental rights; appeared weekly in the multi-agency Girl’s Court to address the needs of teenage foster care youth; worked with Court Appointed Special Advocate volunteers; appeared on juvenile delinquency matters in truancy court; collaborated with the Orange County District Attorney’s Office Human Exploitation and Trafficking Unit on the first case tried in California under the 2012 anti-trafficking law involving a minor victim; assigned to the civil mental health trial team representing the Orange County Public Guardian handling all litigation related to involuntary psychiatric holds and the establishment of conservatorships through jury and court trials; represented the Public Guardian/Public Administrator in elder abuse and probate litigation; represented hospitals on the daily Writ of Habeas Corpus calendar for temporary involuntary mental health holds and capacity to consent to treatment hearings; represented the Public Guardian on the weekly least restrictive placement and rehearing of conservatorship calendars; represented the Orange County Sheriff’s Department on weapons confiscation and suspension of constitutional rights; appeared on felony matters involving mentally ill defendants.
Friends of San Onofre Marines, Founding Board Member (2002 - 2008)
Founding board member, fundraiser, and volunteer providing services to struggling military families at Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base. Participated in large-scale fundraising and distribution events for holidays, back-to-school backpack drives, shoe and cold weather clothing drives, mass diaper drives, and group baby showers; provided emergency assistance to individual families of deployed marines ranging from obtaining furniture and basic life necessities for base housing to financial assistance for car repairs, extraordinary medical bills, emergency travel needs, funeral expenses, and vocational program scholarships.
Law Clerk, Office of the United States Attorney, Southern District of California (2003)
Assigned to the General Crimes Unit, with a focus on organized crime and terrorism; assisted prosecutors in preparation of the public corruption case against members of the San Diego City Council; co-authored a successful 9th Circuit Appellate Brief on novel jury instruction issues; assisted prosecutors on immigration matters.
Intern, San Diego Office of the Public Defender (2002)
Assisted Deputy Public Defenders in legal research, writing, and defense strategy; successfully negotiated plea deals and reduced sentences with prosecutors; met daily with in-custody defendants on the felony arraignment calendar.
