Licensed attorney with over 20 years of experience in the areas of litigation (discovery, brief preparation, court hearings/filings, mediation/arbitration), as well as in-house government counsel (regulatory/statutory compliance, labor and employment, negotiation of agreements, administrative policy/procedure, investigations, agency proceedings and trials.)
Skills
Advice and Counsel
Litigation & Trial
Investigations
Labor and employment
Administrative proceedings
Contract negotiations
Mediation and Arbitration
Regulatory compliance
Education and Training
Golden Gate University School of LawSan Francisco, CaliforniaExpected in 05/2009 – –Doctor of Juridical Science (S.J.D.,:International Legal Studies) - GPA:
Golden Gate University School of LawSan Francisco, CaliforniaExpected in 05/2006 – –Master of Laws (LL.M.,:International Legal Studies) - GPA:
UC Hastings College of The LawStockton, CaliforniaExpected in 05/1990 – –Juris Doctor: - GPA:
Hastings Constitutional Law Quarterly, 1988-1989, Antoinette DiNola Morgan Scholarship, 1989
University of The PacificStockton, CAExpected in 05/1985 – –Bachelor of Arts:English - GPA:
Experience
County Of Marin – Office Of The County Counsel - Deputy County Counsel City, STATE, 09/2020 - Current
Lead Counsel for Health & Human Services – Office of the Public Guardian before courts, prepare petitions for conservatorship, conduct hearings and trials on LPS conservatorships, conservatorships of the estate, facility placement, treatment, and sufficiency of involuntary holds (Welfare & Institutions Code 5250, 5270.15, 5352.1).
Counsel for Probation, Agricultural Weights & Measures, Human Resources, Health & Human Services, Department of Public Works, District Attorney and Public Defender, regarding operations, compliance with State and Federal law on equal employment opportunity compliance, anti-discrimination and diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, State of California orders, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Rehabilitation Act of 1973, California Department of Industrial Relations wage claims.
Prepare internal memoranda on issues of County-wide significance, update ordinances, prepare responses to California Public Record Act Requests, draft and negotiate contracts, settlement agreements, policy manuals, engage in litigation including pleadings, discovery, law & motion, mediation, and settlement negotiations.
San Francisco Community College District - Deputy General Counsel, Interim General Counsel City, STATE, 10/2006 - 09/2020
Advised Board of Trustees regarding conduct of Board meetings, agenda items, and legal issues arising under law (e.g., Brown Act, Government Code).
Represented College District in litigation before courts in s and other court proceedings, mediations, arbitrations, and depositions.
Oversaw $18M in ADA-accessible upgrades of College District facilities, including supervision of outside counsel, supervision of project managers, inspection of updated facilities for ADA compliance. Prepared pleadings, status reports and attend status conferences at U.S. District Court, Northern District of California.
Represented College District at administrative oversight agencies (e.g., U.S. Department of Education; U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights; U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission; California Department of Fair Employment and Housing, California Department of Industrial Relations), and in arbitration proceedings (before Office of Administrative Hearings, California Public Employee Relations Board). 98% favorable results.
Advised Human Resources/Employee Relations and other departments, management and constituents on employment issues including compliance with government statutes and regulations regarding college operations - hiring, employment, benefits, collective bargaining agreements and anti-discrimination under federal and state law (e.g., Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Family and Medical Leave Act; Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; Family Education Rights & Privacy Act; California Family Rights Act; California Government Code, California Education Code, California Labor Code, Title 5, California Code of Regulations, etc.).
Managed outside counsel in litigation matters filed against District; reviewed/prepared pleadings, settlement agreements, arbitration/mediation briefs, contracts, documents, settlement agreements, court filings and other legal memoranda.
Managed outside investigators conducting investigations and prepare findings of fact for complaints/grievances filed by students and employees.
Prepared and advised on implementation of Board policies and administrative procedures, handbooks, and personnel manuals related to best practices in compliance with state & federal law regarding Workers’ Compensations, discipline, leaves, benefits, grievances, telecommute policies.
Prepared and conducted training programs for employees and students regarding compliance with applicable laws, e.g., prevention of discrimination, prevention of sexual harassment and sexual assault, accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, campaign ethics for public entities.
Successfully negotiated contracts, MOU's, grant agreements with outside public entities and private sector contractors.
San Francisco Community College District - Outside Counsel City, STATE, 01/2001 - 10/2006
Conducted investigations, prepared responses to complaints filed by employees of the San Francisco Community College District with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, California Department of Fair Employment & Housing (DFEH), and U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR).
Advised on interpretation of statutory and regulatory requirements pertaining to personnel policies and procedures, state and federal law and legislative history,.
Successfully negotiated contracts with public and private entities.
Appeared before trial courts and administrative tribunals on personnel matters.
Activities and Honors
The State Bar of California
U.S. Supreme Court
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
U.S. District Court for the Northern and Central Districts of California
AFFILIATIONS
National Association of College and University Attorneys (NACUA), 2015-Present
Association of Title IX Administrators (ATIXA), 2014-Present
Association of Chief Human Resource Officers (ACHRO-EEO), 2013-2015
American Society of International Law, 2006-2012;
City & County of San Francisco Park & Recreation Open Space Advisory Committee, 2005-2014
San Francisco Women's Political Committee, 2003-Present
National Transportation Safety Board Bar Association, 2000-2006
Congressional Intern to the Hon. Nancy Pelosi, (D-California), 2001-2003
U.S. Supreme Court Society, 1997-Present
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