Rosanne Howell Email & Phone Number

United States

Investigate fraud, waste, and abuse of federal funds as the case/staff attorney in collaboration with special agents and investigative scientists.

Worked collaboratively with Detective Investigators, along with defense counsel and other agencies, to investigate wrongful conviction cases arising from Queens County. Reviewed voluminous court records, and all other documents connected to or relevant to a criminal prosecution. Responsible for conducting interviews of convicted persons, civilian witnesses, attorneys, relevant experts and police officers. Oversaw DNA and forensic testing. Drafted various emails, memoranda, pleadings, and letters relating to the investigation.

Responded to all homicides, police shootings, vehicular homicides, suicides, suspicious deaths, and cases involving individuals likely to die in Queens County, during assigned riding beeper schedule (24-72 hours). Interviewed defendants and witnesses (took videotaped and audio taped statements). Oversaw the processing of arrests, including the drafting of felony accusatory instruments, interviewing of witnesses, securing additional evidence through search warrants (blood, DNA, weapons, firearms, drugs, etc.) and subpoenas (financial records, credit statements, medical records, phone records, internet records, etc.), cell site orders and pen registers and investigating cold case homicide cases. Prepared cases for Grand Jury presentment and assisted homicide investigations and trial assistants in the co-presentment of cases to the Grand Jury. Assisted Homicide Trial assistants with conducting proffers with defendants. Worked collaboratively with NYPD General Order-15 police personnel interviews in conjunction with police shooting incidents and conducted independent interviews of police personnel. Liaise with federal, state and city agencies related to cases.

Drafted misdemeanor and felony complaints, processed arrests in the Intake Bureau for Criminal Court arraignment. Converted assigned misdemeanor criminal court complaints into an information, investigated cases, conducted hearings, responded to motions, discussed settlement options and trial readiness with complainants and defense counsel. Conducted civilian and law enforcement witness interviews and assessed the credibility of witnesses, statements, and evidence. Handled various misdemeanor cases ranging from assault/harassment, sexual assault, to DUI’s. Prepared and presented cases involving DUI’s with a BAC of 2.0 and above to the Grand Jury and went on to handle the Supreme Court arraignments and plea negations of those cases. Prepared and conducted a misdemeanor DUI trial. Worked closely with assigned paralegal and staff. Attended monthly 101 Precinct Council meetings and discussed concerns with community members and leaders, and drafted reports to present to the District Attorney for consideration.

Reviewed district court records, parties' briefs, motions and other documents filed on appeal in direct criminal appeals and in habeas corpus petitions. Conducted in-depth research and analyzed relevant issues. Prepared draft disposition of cases and appeared before a three-judge panel to orally submit recommendations for dispositions on a monthly basis. Addressed post panel as well as other motions pertaining to role as clerk of the court.

Represented indigent clients facing eviction, rental arrears, foreclosure and warranty of habitability claims in Landlord-Tenant Court. Assisted clients in settlement negotiations and judicial conferences. Named “Volunteer Attorney of the Month” for March 2010.

Assisted in drafting documents (including master repurchase agreements, pricing side letters, guaranty agreements, custodial agreements, collection account control agreements, sale agreements, specimen certificates and trust exhibits) for servicing and financial whole loan trading, and mortgage-backed securities transactions.Conducted due diligence for UCC financing statements, lien searches, officer's certificates and other various documents.Researched various securities issues including QIB Analysis, Shelf Capacity, and other issues pertaining to redemption rights, duty to mitigate and notarial deficiency.

Reviewed due diligence materials, deal documents, leases connected with commercial real estate finance transactions and large collateralized debt obligations. Drafted memoranda, lease reviews, and distributed document comments to deal parties regarding title searches for RMBS and NIM transactions.

Supervised the maintenance and facilities of a 250-student Residence Hall. Facilitated an educational purposeful environment through the implementation and organization of building programs. Advisor for a peer education group S.A.F.E. (Sexual Assault Facts and Education). Served as the Community Standards Judicial Liaison to three quad areas, totaling over 2,000 students and taught an anger management course (P.E.A.C.E.). Advisor to a hall government of seven board members and supervised six resident assistants.

J.D., Law

Activities and Societies: V.P., Black Law Student Association; Student Attorney in Children’s Rights and Family Law Clinic; Diversity.

B.S., Psychology

Activities and Societies: University Diversity Fellow, Graduate Co-Chair of the Middle States Accreditation Committee, 5 Year Planning.