I am dedicated to providing individuals coping with cancer, their caregivers, and health care professionals about the legal and practical issues that can arise after a cancer diagnosis. I have been fortunate enough to present hundreds of seminars across the country on various cancer-related legal issues for local, regional, and national cancer organizations, hospitals, health care professional associations, and other diverse audiences. Additionally, I create presentations and educational materials, and write articles and blogs on survivorship issues, specializing in the insurance, financial, and practical aspects. I am continually working to develop partnerships with key national and local cancer organizations, health care professional associations, law firms, hospitals, and other stakeholders.

I teach a groundbreaking cancer rights course to second and third year law students that examines federal and Illinois state laws through the unique lens of cancer. The course provides an overview of health and disability insurance law, employment discrimination, wage and hour law, estate planning, medical decision making, and other legal issues that may arise as a result of a cancer diagnosis.

Working as a consutant for non-profits and businesses in the areas of communications, development, education and training, and events. Have been hired to draft grants and other development documents for non-profit clients, plan, organize, and execute professional educational conferences and fundraising events, and to assists organizations in developing educational materials for their constituents.

As Midwest Regional Director, I successfully established and maintained a satellite office in Chicago, the first of its kind at the CLRC. In this role I forged relationships with cancer organizations, hospitals, law firms, other community partners, and members of underserved communities. Additionally, I developed an expertise in national and state laws on health insurance, health care options, government benefits, and employment law.

I provided seminars on cancer-related legal issues in addition to writing grants to secure funding to expand the work of the organization.

As Legislative Counsel for the Congresswoman I conducted extensive legal research (statutory and case law), developed, planned, and drafted legislation, and garnered congressional and community support for the Congresswoman’s legislative initiatives. Additionally, on a daily basis I was charged with monitoring legal and legislative developments within committees and on the floor of the House of Representatives, as well as writing memoranda, floor and committee statements, dear colleagues, and community speeches. The issue areas that I was responsible for included: Health care, women’s issues, Judiciary Committee, immigration, criminal justice, drug policy, intellectual property, telecommunications, civil rights, and lobbying reform.

Most notably I assisted in researching and drafting questions for the hearings on the nominations of Judge John Roberts for Chief Justice and Judge Samuel A. Alito for Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. Additionally, after researching various legal issues I made recommendations to draft legislation and amendments on immigration, intelligence, and other judiciary related matters, as well as drafted memoranda to the Senator providing voting recommendations and background information.