Serve as general counsel to IndyGo, the mass transit agency for the city of Indianapolis

Serve as general counsel and chief policy advisor to the public works agency of the capitol city of Indiana, responsible for the construction, operation and maintenance of street, bridge, storm water management, flood control and parks infrastructure, solid waste collection and disposal, recycling, sustainability planning, environmental response, facility maintenance. streetlighting, accessibility, and vehicle fleet management, with nearly 800 employees, including bargaining unit employees, a $250M annual budget and $350M annual spend from all sources (e.g., federal and state funding), and a $400M four-year capital plan. Advise mayoral and agency leadership in the formulation of public policy, legal strategy and legislative priorities. Oversee all aspects of agency procurement of supplies, services, professional services, engineering design and inspection services, infrastructure construction and information technology totaling over 300 contracts annually. Responsible for all agency real estate matters, including the acquisition of real estate interests for infrastructure projects by negotiation and by eminent domain, disposition of surplus real estate, and advising on development of and environmental conditions affecting city-owned properties. Negotiate, advise on and draft agreements to implement special projects, including economic development projects, public-private infrastructure partnerships, local, state and federal inter-governmental undertakings, and community initiatives. Assist litigation attorneys defending the agency with discovery responses, witness preparation and settlement negotiations.

Served as an assistant city attorney in the Office of Corporation Counsel, primarily counseling the Department of Public Works (DPW) as to federal, state and local laws governing municipal corporations. Advised DPW leadership and staff as to policy, operational strategy and employment matters. Counseled DPW on bidding/procurement/contracting, infrastructure construction, real estate acquisition/disposition, development projects, public utilities, environmental matters and union/employment issues. Drafted contracts for infrastructure construction, supplies, services, professional services and public-private partnerships. Advised and assisted all City agencies regarding real estate and construction issues. Represented DPW in eminent domain litigation to acquire real estate for infrastructure projects. Served as attorney to the Board of Public Works during its public meetings and hearings. Assisted litigation attorneys in administrative and court litigation regarding public bidding, construction and regulatory matters. Assisted staff with responses to public records requests.

Engaged in full-time solo private law practice, focusing primarily on real estate transactions, civil litigation and economic development consulting.

Managed litigation for a national mortgage lender and its loan servicing subsidiary. Advised senior management concerning litigation risks, costs and resolution. Conducted fact investigations and document review to respond to discovery, subpoenas and government inquiries. Directed and managed outside counsel, including review and approval of invoices. Drafted litigation support documents and prepared witnesses for deposition and trial testimony. Negotiated litigation settlements. Types of litigation managed included: mortgage loan disputes and foreclosures, loan securitization issues, real estate title claims, property damage/liability claims, insurance disputes, consumer claims, landlord-tenant issues, local code compliance actions, property tax issues, and vendor contract disputes.

Partner in a mid-sized law firm representing business, individual and government clients in civil litigation, real estate transactions, construction, land use and development, leasing and landlord-tenant matters, property taxation, commercial contracts, government and regulatory affairs, and environmental matters. Member of the board of directors of the firm’s political action committee. Contributed articles for the firm’s monthly client newsletters. Mentored associates and law clerks. Member of the Executive Committee of the Indianapolis Bar Association’s Real Estate and Land Use Section.

Senior associate attorney in a law firm representing clients in civil litigation, real estate transactions, construction, land use and development, leasing and landlord-tenant matters, government and regulatory affairs, environmental matters, and employment issues. Managed the firm’s legal research library, including the transition to on-line research tools. Mentored new associates, paralegals and law clerks. .

Administered the City’s Division of Economic Development & Real Estate Services, the agency responsible for business retention, expansion and attraction incentives programs, real estate redevelopment and management of city-owned properties. Supervised a professional staff of eight to ten project and finance managers. Prepared and managed a $4.2M annual operating budget, including presentation for City-County Council approval. Established written economic development incentives policies. Advised the Mayor, members of the Metropolitan Development Commission and City-County Councilors regarding development programs and projects. Directed all aspects of multiple real estate redevelopment projects, including real estate acquisition/disposition, relocation of residents and businesses, creating redevelopment plans, engaging developers, bidding infrastructure construction projects and addressing environmental issues. Negotiated complex project development contracts. Oversaw compliance with federal grant requirements. Coordinated with public works officials regarding infrastructure construction and remediation of environmentally-impaired sites. Responsible for managing several City-owned assets, as well as numerous properties acquired for redevelopment. Collaborated with state and federal agencies, business leaders, developers, community development organizations and neighborhood groups to shepherd economic development and redevelopment projects.