Attorney ad litem- represents parents and children in Child Protective Services cases.

Manages unit of 9 employees and over 100 CPS Conservatorship cases, including support staff. Plans and manages unit operations to achieve project goals and objectives for services delivery by monitoring budgets and caseloads, consulting with staff on case issues, approving leave, and holding unit meetings. Selects, manages, and develops staff through review of performance data, conferences, training, and performance appraisal. Interprets program policy and procedures to unit staff, other agency staff, and the general public. Evaluates unit performance through casereadings, computer reports, and observation of unit operations to ensure unit compliance with policy, procedure, and service control requirements. Develops and maintains effective working relationships between Child Protective Services staff, Child Welfare boards, the general public, legal, medical, educational, and other community resources. Makes casework decisions regarding the removal and placement of children, and works with county and district attorneys on legal measures to initiate on Child Protective Services cases. Performs other duties as assigned and required to maintain unit operations. Promotes, monitors, and ensures that respect is demonstrated for cultural diversity. Attends work regularly in accordance with agency leave policy.

Manages advanced client caseload social work related to child conservatorship in the handling of child’s substitute care, family’s substitute care, and family’s reunification stages in efforts to pursue the identified permanency goal for the child, and alternatives to the department continuing as the managing conservator for the child Prepares legal documentation and testifies in Court to progress of cases concerning children in legal state custodyWorks closely with child’s court-appointed attorney to be informed about the child’s circumstances and significant eventsCollaborates with attorney representing the department to prepare for court contested hearingsDevelops and maintains effective working relationships between Child Protective Services staff and law enforcement officials, judicial officials, legal resources, medical professionals, and other community resourcesInteracts with parents, children, therapist, doctor's, foster parents and attorney's on a monthly basis to assess risk/safety issues along with family’s progress in addressing Family Service Plan that has been identified and presented to the courtPrepares and interprets various documentation to the clients

Prepared pleadings for clients involving Child Custody Modification and Simple Divorce

Solo General Practice of Law that included drafting, filing and successfully obtaining expunctions of criminal records

Worked with Houston Metropolitan area School Districts to engage 8th grade students interested in the field of lawPresented legal concepts and basic trial procedures Informed students the road to higher institutional law education

Researched case law and drafted memorandum discussing relevant issues of cases before the judgeReviewed a variety of legal documents pertaining to cases before the court

Researched and prepared summary documentation in support of disputes in the Healthcare Industry for mediators to best implement conflict resolution models

Pioneered the launch of the dual purposed mediation training/comparative British Law Study Abroad ProgramDeveloped daily curriculum for mediation training to equip local citizens with conflict resolution toolsInstructed local citizens in general mediation techniquesPartnered with Montego Bay prosecutors for daily interactions in the High Court, Family, Juvenile Gun and Petty Sessions Court systems