As Chief Legal Counsel at the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DOCR), I served as the legal advisor for the DOCR, the Pardon Board, and the Parole Board. I participated in the boards’ meetings and advised on legal risks, open records, and open meetings. I also answered a wide range of legal questions on state and federal laws, including in the DOCR's specialized areas of medical, dental, and education. Additionally, I served as the liaison between the Office of Attorney General (OAG) civil litigation division and the DOCR to assist with discovery, litigation strategy, and negotiations. In consultation with the OAG, I also reviewed and advised on the employee disciplinary process, including pre-actions and final actions. I reviewed all DOCR contracts maintained in the DOCR system. I helped the contract administrator make this process efficient. I also drafted bills and amendments for Legislative Session and handled legal correspondence, including objections, settlement agreements, memoranda, and letters. ══ DYNAMIC ══In addition to serving as the legal advisor, I oversaw the Education, Training, and Core Correctional Practices departments and facilitated the action planning portion of the DOCR's strategic plan. I also reviewed and revised policies, procedures, and practices to minimize legal risk and to advocate for changes to help incarcerated individuals be more successful during reentry and help those with mental health needs function better in DOCR facilities and the community.══ SPECIALTIES ══ Leadership | General Counsel | Strategic Planning | Non-profits | Program Development and Management| Project Management | Public Speaking | Training | Community Outreach | Research | Change Management | Policy | Risk Management | Volunteer Management | Policy Analysis | Marketing | Grant Writing | Budgets | Fundraising | Board Development | Advisor

As a Division Director at the State of North Dakota Office of Attorney General (OAG), I provided leadership for the Criminal Justice Information Sharing (CJIS) Division and then for the merged Information Technology and CJIS (IT/CJIS) Division of 17 full-time employees, multiple vendors, and several contractors.Some of the things I loved about this position included strategic planning, culture building, and the teamwork. I really enjoyed using assessments to help people see their strengths, seeing them succeed in their roles, and working through challenges productively. I also enjoyed watching team members gain confidence and move on to promotional opportunities.I prepared and managed the budget, procurement, and operational strategy for OAG’s IT investments as well as drafted, prepared, and reviewed legal documents and contracts. Additionally, I oversaw and supervised the management of OAG application development, project management, database design, architectural review, server administration, help desk, and desktop support.In consultation with OAG legal counsel, I analyzed state laws and administrative rules to advise IT/CJIS staff, the Bureau of Criminal Investigation, other OAG divisions, and the ND CJIS Advisory Board on compliance. I also ensured individuals qualified for access to criminal justice systems.Writing and managing federal grants for IT projects was also part of my role. I enjoyed collaborating on grant ideas and measuring the success of these projects. I assisted in drafting and analyzing legislation; communicated with legal counsel and agency officials, including other state agency officials, on legislative matters; presented testimony on legislation; and represented OAG at conferences and meetings.══ SPECIALTIES ══ Leadership | Strategic Planning | Program Development and Management| Project Management | Public Speaking | Training | Research | Change Management | Policy | Risk Management | Policy Analysis | Grant Writing | Budgets

Provided leadership and management for the CJIS program and staffDeveloped, maintained, and advocated for the CJIS strategic planServed as liaison to the Board to coordinate meetings, establish agendas and provide minutesProvided strategic recommendations and status reporting to the Board and other groups, as requiredPrepared timely and complete budget status reports and biannual budget proposalsIdentified funding sources, coordinated grant applications, and administered grantsAdministered RFPs, evaluated vendor products and services and managed contractsProvided direction to technology service providers, communicated CJIS requirements, and ensured that technology solutions met user needsCommunicated and marketed CJIS activities through various means, including the CJIS web site, news articles, and e-mail newslettersRepresented the state in CJIS-related activities and groups

Managed projects, program operations, and stakeholder relationships for the ND SAVIN ProgramMotivated and supported program staff, volunteers, and vendorsMarketed program benefits to victims, stakeholders, volunteers, and communities throughout the stateDeveloped, refined, and facilitated high-quality in-person and online trainings for stakeholder groupsEngaged in strategic planning and developmentMonitored key legislation and drafted and introduced bills to amend it, as neededChaired the ND SAVIN Governance Committee and managed subcommittee work

Conducted and analyzed assessments and research to identify capacity-building and strategic objective and goal recommendationsFacilitated the selection and regular meetings of the steering committee, objective owners, goal owners, and action teamsDeveloped and monitored implementation of capacity-building and strategic plansCoordinated services provided by Taproot Foundation, Executive Service Corps of Chicago, and Chicago Lawyers’ Committee

Managed strategic partnerships with firms, attorneys, and potential nonprofit clients for Nonprofit Legal Assessment ProgramFormalized Nonprofit Legal Assessment Program (NLAP) volunteer attorney recruitment and trainingPresented to nonprofit executive directors and board members on board development, risk management, and compliance

Participated on deal teams in the Banking & Financial Transactions Group; researched law applicable to transactions; and supervised legal assistants and secretarial supportPresented to nonprofits about board development and risk management topics at the Housing Action Illinois ConferenceServed as a United Way Campaign Team Leader

Interviewed, oriented, assigned, trained and managed over 100 volunteer consultants; 30 project managers; 10 program managers; and 10-20 internal volunteersCultivated new business and partnership opportunitiesOversaw, analyzed, and supported 30-45+ active client projects; several capacity-building programs (including Nonprofit Leadership Development Institute, Freestore Foodbank Leadership Institute, Talbert House Compassion Capital Program, and Advanced Board Officers Training); and several operational improvement programs for school districtsAssisted in the development of training curriculm for volunteers and client programsParticipated in the development and implementation of strategic plans

Coordinated volunteer projects for young professionals, including planning volunteer and social experiences; communicating logistics to volunteers, community partners, and other event coordinators; and overseeing events to ensure success

Researched and wrote memoranda in several practice areas, including corporate, banking, employee benefits, and hedge funds; reviewed documents; observed negotiations; and drafted ancillary banking and securities transactional documents

Researched and drafted several judicial opinions and observed hearings and trials

Oversaw and managed the planning, coordination and execution of volunteer service project trips; increased participants by 100%; built new leadership structure; and authored and received a grant for participant training and experiential learning