Attorney at a small, plaintiff side law firm specializing in civil rights litigation and criminal defense.

One year, project-based fellowship funded by the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School Toll Public Interest Fellowship. My work involves:- Enforcing New Jersey’s state constitutional right to economic fair housing through impact litigation against municipalities that attempt to use exclusionary zoning to block affordable housing.- Exploring policy and advocacy opportunities to support and enforce inclusionary zoning ordinances in some of New Jersey’s most rapidly… Show more One year, project-based fellowship funded by the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School Toll Public Interest Fellowship. My work involves:- Enforcing New Jersey’s state constitutional right to economic fair housing through impact litigation against municipalities that attempt to use exclusionary zoning to block affordable housing.- Exploring policy and advocacy opportunities to support and enforce inclusionary zoning ordinances in some of New Jersey’s most rapidly gentrifying areas. Show less

Selected as a full-time summer associate at a leading civil rights litigation and criminal defense firm. Conducted legal research and drafted memos on novel issues in pending cases, drafted sections of briefs, attended depositions and sentencing hearings, and assisted counsel with witness preparation and research during a criminal trial.

• Selected for a full time, litigation-focused internship to help the organization enforce the Mount Laurel Doctrine through lawsuits against New Jersey municipalities. Mount Laurel is a landmark State Supreme Court decision that prohibits economic discrimination through exclusionary zoning and requires all towns in the state to provide their “fair share” of their region’s need for affordable housing.• Drafted motion briefs, conducted legal research, and participated in fairness… Show more • Selected for a full time, litigation-focused internship to help the organization enforce the Mount Laurel Doctrine through lawsuits against New Jersey municipalities. Mount Laurel is a landmark State Supreme Court decision that prohibits economic discrimination through exclusionary zoning and requires all towns in the state to provide their “fair share” of their region’s need for affordable housing.• Drafted motion briefs, conducted legal research, and participated in fairness hearings related to the approval and enforcement of settlement agreements FSHC entered into with several municipalities. Continued this work through an Externship during the fall 2020 law school semester.• Took the lead on drafting a proposed rent control ordinance for Asbury Park, New Jersey. This work also included drafting a legal memo for the affordable housing coalition championing the ordinance that outlined the state law requirements for getting an ordinance adopted through voter petition. As of November 2020, the coalition believes it has the signatures to trigger a special election on the proposed law. Show less

• Lead and managed $30 million in annually negotiated and renewed HUD-funded Hurricane Sandy housing recovery programs. The programs were the largest of their kinds for the Center, delivering temporary housing assistance, case management, and financial/legal services to more than 5000 low-income and working-class households in New York City while their homes were being repaired and rebuilt. • A study commissioned by New York City found that half of all homeowners in its housing rebuild… Show more • Lead and managed $30 million in annually negotiated and renewed HUD-funded Hurricane Sandy housing recovery programs. The programs were the largest of their kinds for the Center, delivering temporary housing assistance, case management, and financial/legal services to more than 5000 low-income and working-class households in New York City while their homes were being repaired and rebuilt. • A study commissioned by New York City found that half of all homeowners in its housing rebuild program, “Build it Back,” pointed to my programs as critical to receiving the help they needed to ultimately be made whole. • Represented the Center at public hearings and meetings related to flood insurance policy, coastal housing resiliency, and disaster recovery best practices, and provided technical assistance on these topics to other organizations and cities recovering from natural disasters. • Managed a team of direct-report staff as well as a large network of subcontractor organizations comprised of more than 50 attorneys, financial counselors, and social workers. Show less

• Designed and managed day-to-day delivery of HUD-funded temporary housing program for NYC homeowners rebuilding after Hurricane Sandy –– the first program of its kind to provide comprehensive assistance finding interim rental housing, paying for it, and staying financially sustainable during lengthy construction. • Oversaw delivery of over $15 million in direct financial assistance, 100 master-leased apartments, 135 emergency hotel rooms, and ongoing intensive case management and social… Show more • Designed and managed day-to-day delivery of HUD-funded temporary housing program for NYC homeowners rebuilding after Hurricane Sandy –– the first program of its kind to provide comprehensive assistance finding interim rental housing, paying for it, and staying financially sustainable during lengthy construction. • Oversaw delivery of over $15 million in direct financial assistance, 100 master-leased apartments, 135 emergency hotel rooms, and ongoing intensive case management and social work support to 1500 low-income and working-class New Yorkers who otherwise would not have been able to find or afford a place to live while their homes were being rebuilt by the City. These numbers far exceeded initial program goals. • Managed a close-knit team of five direct-report staff and 30 subcontractor staff. Focused on building a collaborative atmosphere, continuous improvement of program processes, and evaluating program impact and outcomes. Show less

• Coordinated and delivered foreclosure prevention counseling services for three consecutive Hurricane Sandy recovery grants, helping over 240 storm-affected and financially distressed low-income Brooklyn households navigate complex federal disaster programs, apply for philanthropic assistance, and keep their homes. • Earned certification as a HUD Foreclosure Prevention Counselor, qualifying me to educate homeowners on federal foreclosure prevention programs and assist them with… Show more • Coordinated and delivered foreclosure prevention counseling services for three consecutive Hurricane Sandy recovery grants, helping over 240 storm-affected and financially distressed low-income Brooklyn households navigate complex federal disaster programs, apply for philanthropic assistance, and keep their homes. • Earned certification as a HUD Foreclosure Prevention Counselor, qualifying me to educate homeowners on federal foreclosure prevention programs and assist them with applications for loan modifications. • First CLS employee to successfully maintain a full client caseload while simultaneously managing grant-related outreach and reporting and serving actively on the Boards of two disaster-recovery organizations. Show less

• Coordinated and administered $500k outdoor environmental education grant, the largest of its kind for the department, reaching 2,400 students at 8 schools in 5 states and exceeding initial program goals. • Organized 27 state learning standard aligned outdoor field trips each school year, for which I developed and taught science lessons, which consistently resulted in measured student learning gains.