Sacramento, California, United States
Trial prosecutor in California's wine country. Every week involved a constantly changing, high responsibility mix of near-daily court appearances, criminal investigations, victim and witness contact, legal strategizing, and on the fly research and argument.
As a member of the appeals division, fought to impose accountability for atrocities committed during the Balkan conflict and genocide. Worked to sustain convictions in massive cases involving complex webs of military and political actors. Had a substantial role drafting briefs filed in the Appeals Chamber. Because the stakes were so high and the international scrutiny so intense, all work was held to the absolutely highest standard. Analyzed documentary, testimonial, and other evidence proving hundreds of atrocities and linking them to the accused. Researched and applied international criminal and humanitarian law to ensure convictions arising from the evidence were proper. Among other matters, worked extensively on Prlić et al.--at the time, the largest case (in terms of volume of evidence) ever brought at an international criminal tribunal.
Appellate attorney with the California Department of Justice, a position requiring clear, effective writing, agile courtroom argument, and strong knowledge of criminal law. Drafted complex briefs in approximately 100 cases, primarily in the California Supreme Court and California Courts of Appeal, but also in the U.S. Supreme Court and Ninth Circuit Federal Court of Appeal. These cases spanned the gamut of crimes, including a number of media-reported homicides. Argued approximately 35 cases before live panels of appellate justices.
Created materials for and instructed a first-year course required for all law students. In the first semester of each year, taught students to research, analyze evidence, and write like a lawyer. In the second semester, built on the above skills by guiding students through drafting a 20-page persuasive brief, followed by an appellate oral argument. Attempted to go above and beyond as a professor and, based on exceptional student evaluations, received a teaching award every semester.