Natasha Phelps Email and Phone Number

- Founded The Center’s Equity-Centered Policy department, directing The Center’s internal and external work on equity-centered law and policy and managing grant administration, funder relationships, and a team of policy managers and support staff.- Developed, researched, drafted, and edited legal and policy educational and engagement materials (issue briefs, public comments, policy statements, amicus briefs, and publications).- Efficiently directed an experienced team of public health lawyers, policy analysts, and government experts to successful completion of an extensive multi-year, health equity-centered legal epidemiology assessment identifying “health inequity zones” as the result of inequitable transportation policy.- Conceptualized, drafted, and edited comprehensive “2023 State of Black Health” policy platform resource identifying, proposing solutions for, and providing resources on top health issues facing Black people in the U.S. and its territories.- Directed and oversaw the creation and implementation of the award-winning “Truth Be Told: Storytelling for Equity-Centered Policy,” an accessible and award-winning policy and health equity training series and resource that connects storytelling tools with policy identification and best practices.- Provided in-demand trainings/presentations and prepared white papers and external resources on best practices and policy issues; providing legal technical assistance and policy analysis to local, state, and federal partners and stakeholders on health equity, systemic inequity, and other specific issue areas (e.g, HIV/AIDS, cancer screening and prevention, preemption, veteran care).- Built genuine and successful relationships with network of local, state, regional, Tribal, national, and federal public health, medical, academic, community-based, government, and other organizations and professionals working on health outcomes and the social, economic, and environmental factors impacting health.

- Provided legal technical assistance on local, state, federal, and Tribal public health law and health equity issues to public health professionals and organizations, legal professionals, and governments throughout the United States; specializing in commercial tobacco law and policy.- Lead strategic policy development projects and coordinated provision of legal technical assistance as the manager of two teams of five attorneys that provided tailored legal technical assistance on local and state commercial tobacco law and policy to communities, organizations, advocates, and governments in Minnesota.- Drove the organization’s racial and health equity work, including the creation of the Racism as aPublic Health Crisis Toolkit.- Managed budget and ensure compliance with operation, funding, and reporting requirements of multiple grants from a state health department and private foundation totaling over a half million dollars.- Researched, analyzed, and drafted sample federal, state, local, and Tribal law to establish the legal and health basis for policies.- Analyzed, drafted, and provided strategic consultation on federal, state, and local laws and legislative proposals to research institutions and state agencies, including offices of attorneys general, health departments, and departments of human services.- Tracked legislative, regulatory, and other commercial tobacco control laws and litigation at the federal, state, and local levels to strategically identify trends, risks, and opportunities to improve public health and provide assistance to state and local attorneys defending public health policies in or in anticipation of litigation.- Developed and updated publications, legal memorandums, legally-defensible model policy language, and accessible fact sheets explaining complex legal aspects of public health and related laws.- Developed and delivered over 100 presentations, in-person and online to Tribal, local, state, and national audiences.

- Manage civil and workers’ compensation litigation claims from inception through trial and settlement- Successfully prepared and presented summary judgment, dispositive and discovery motions in district court- Vigorously advocate defense positions on behalf of clients at administrative conferences and hearings- Analyze and evaluate workers’ compensation claims and advise clients on defenses, liability, and compliance- Formulate and execute disposition and discovery plans, including taking over 50 depositions of claimants- Conduct legal research with Westlaw on civil and administrative law issues to advise clients on workers’ compensation law, civil litigation matters, health care law, and various topics as needed- Collaborate effectively with intraoffice teams to develop legal strategies and firm business objectives- Market firm to potential clients and develop and maintain relationships with existing clients, including large Fortune 500, mid-size, and small employers and insurers

- Conducted extensive legal research and drafted legal memoranda in the areas of civil litigation and workers' compensation law- Drafted discovery motions- Organized and updated client files regarding personnel, medical, and investigative records- Observed civil and workers' compensation proceedings and depositions

- Performed research on legal public interest issues in order to create a syllabus for an externship course at William Mitchell College of Law.- Presented analysis of findings and syllabus to school administration.

- Performed legal research and drafted memoranda on issues related to voting requirements in Minnesota.

Worked with Innovative Millennium circulation system to assist students with research projects; maintain copy room equipment; perform library system tasks such as shelving publications, filling loose leaf and pocket part updates to legal publications, and maintaining library stacks.

- Zealously represented indigent clients facing petty misdemeanor, misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor, and felony criminal charges in arraignment hearings- Negotiated plea agreements with county attorneys- Established relationships with and interviewed diverse clients- Performed legal research with Westlaw and factual discovery with court databases- Assisted attorneys in preparing legal motions and memorandum for trial preparation

- Prepared an Order and multiple bench summaries of cases in advance of hearings- Conducted legal research using Westlaw and evaluated family, civil, and criminal cases- Observed family, civil, and criminal trials; discussed factual and legal aspects with the Judge

Contacted alumni to discuss the funding needs of the University of Wisconsin

Assisted in drafting a bill on earned income tax credit for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder; performed extensive legislative research; updated bill co-sponsorship development; assisted in constituent communication; attended caucuses, committee meetings, and public hearings.