Responsible for representing the Dallas ISD at all levels of the employee grievance process, including arguments before hearing officers and the Board of Trustees, evidentiary and witness preparation, and settlement negotiation. Strategic management of outside counsel retained for employment and labor issues, including employee grievances and appeals of terminations and contract non-renewals. Perform legal review of, and advise the Dallas ISD on, additions and changes to Board policy. Responsible for verification and execution of court-ordered wage garnishment. Perform legal research and draft responses to opposing counsel, teacher support groups, employees, and community members, on First Amendment freedom of speech and religion matters, religious accommodation requests, personal injury claims, and wage-garnishment issues. Provide training on employment law and First Amendment law.

Developed employee leave template incorporating FMLA and local policy requirements and applied several cases involving recommendations for employee termination. Wrote Deposition Summary for employment related case. Performed legislative update through the 82nd Texas Session on the issue of district-and campus-wide improvement plans. Wrote memo on Board of Trustee immunity

Legal research and writing for a paper on the admissibility of mental health expert testimony in child custody proceedings to be published in a text next March, 2011

Managed the treatment and care of psychiatric patients through adult and adolescent psychotherapy, strategic clinical intervention, and insurance authorization. Facilitated hospital efficiency through multiple means, including patient programming, employee education, and clinical development as a member of the Employee Assistance Group

Performed legal audit of non-profit corporate minutes to ensure compliance with the Texas Open Meetings and Public Information Acts. Analyzed the Texas Education and Administrative Codes as they pertain to charter schools. Researched a number of issues involving employment and construction law

Researched and analyzed state statutes regarding adult and adolescent competency restoration for an article advocating increased use of community resources for treatment

Analyzed legislative bills, performed legal research, and prepared drafts for the forthcoming publication “Legislative Update: A Guide to the Mental Health-Related Actions of the 81st Texas Legislature”. Drafted a revision, based on legislative bill analysis and legal research, of “An Analysis of the Mental Health Code, Third Edition”. Contributed to “Successful and Practical Restoration to Competency in the Community”, presented at the 2009 Annual Texas Behavioral Health Institute, and “6 Core Strategies: Reducing Seclusion and Restraint in your Hospital”, presented at the 2009 Annual Texas Hospital Association Psychiatric Conference

Assessed psychiatric patients under orders of protective custody and provided recommendations to the court appointed defense attorney regarding strategic defense planning

Responsible for classrooms made up of multiple populations, such as those with Bipolar I and II Disorders, Asperger’s Disorder, Tourette’s Syndrome, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Worked with school administration, therapists, and families in developing and implementing strategies to help build overall success for the individual children