Chief Prosecutor, White Collar Crime and Public Corruption Unit
Jackson County Prosecutor's Office · Kansas City, MO · July 2020 – December 2021
Led the office's complex financial crime and public corruption prosecution efforts, set office policy for cases assigned to the Unit, and managed attorneys and non-attorney staff. Investigated and prosecuted complex criminal schemes including health care fraud, tax fraud, securities fraud, large-scale embezzlement operations, election fraud, and tax evasion.
Investigated and prosecuted sensitive matters of public corruption in conjunction with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, including work with clandestine operations. Served as primary attorney on the office's most sensitive matters, including cases involving financial losses in excess of two million dollars. Led the office's election monitoring effort for all national, state, and local elections, working directly with local, state, and federal law enforcement to coordinate responses to emerging issues.
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney · Jackson County Prosecutor's Office
Kansas City, MO · April 2018 – July 2020
Managed approximately 30 felony cases at a time, serving as lead prosecutor from arraignment through final case disposition. Successfully represented the State of Missouri in three felony jury trials and six administrative bench trials, in addition to numerous preliminary hearings, suppression hearings, sentencing hearings, probation revocation hearings, and post-conviction relief proceedings. Worked with the office's Drug Court, Mental Health Court, and Veterans' Court, applying diversionary frameworks to reduce incarceration and support recovery. Beginning March 2019, also assigned to the White Collar and Public Corruption Unit, assisting with complex financial crime and public corruption prosecutions.
Legal Counsel · Missouri Department of Corrections
Jefferson City, MO · January 2017 – March 2018
Served as the Department's regulatory counsel and provided written and oral legal opinions on emerging statutory, constitutional, and regulatory matters at the state and federal level. Directed investigations into employee violations of Department policy and procedure and approved disciplinary action when violations were established. Oversaw the amendment and authorship of department regulations, policies, and procedures. Represented executive officials in employment appeals before the Missouri Administrative Hearing Commission and represented the Department in state and federal court proceedings related to non-party subpoenas and court orders. Served as the regulatory chief responsible for responses to the Missouri Legislature's Joint Committee on Administrative Rules.
Assistant Legal Counsel · Office of Missouri Governor Jeremiah W. (Jay) Nixon
Jefferson City, MO · August 2016 – January 2017
Provided legal counsel to Governor Nixon and his staff on a variety of legal, policy, and administrative issues. Assisted with the judicial selection process and the executive clemency review and approval process. Reviewed regulatory proposals from various state departments. Contributed to the State of Missouri's Justice Reinvestment Initiative.
Legal and Legislative Intern · Office of Missouri Governor Jeremiah W. (Jay) Nixon
Jefferson City, MO · January 2016 – August 2016
Tracked and researched pending legislation and regulations and provided written and oral briefings to members of the Governor's staff. Conducted legal research and produced memoranda for use by attorneys.
Legal Intern · U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights
Kansas City Regional Office · Summer 2015
Worked on Title IX and Section 504/ADA cases under attorney supervision, and participated in two on-site federal investigations of educational institutions.
Graduate Assistant, Hearing Officer, and Director of Judicial Peer Advisory Council · University of Missouri Office of Student Conduct
Columbia, MO · August 2013 – May 2016
Conducted student conduct hearings and determined discipline for violations of the Student Code of Conduct, with authority to issue decisions up to and including expulsion. Led investigations into violations of the University Code of Conduct, including obtaining and evaluating reports, evidence, and testimony.
Directed the Judicial Peer Advisory Council, a group of approximately twenty undergraduate students authorized to hear student conduct cases, with responsibility for recruitment, selection, training, and oversight. Served in the Office of Student Conduct during the 2015 campus protests (“Concerned Student 1950”).
Policy Analyst Intern · U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities · Washington, D.C. · Summer 2014
Analyzed federal policy regulations on the integration of individuals with disabilities into community settings. Co-authored HHS response to proposed DOJ rulemaking on ADA Title II.
AAPD Summer Policy Fellow · American Association of People with Disabilities
Washington, D.C. · Summer 2012
Selected for the AAPD Summer Internship Program and placed in the Office of Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (House Judiciary Committee), assisting with legislative research on civil rights matters. Selected with a small group for a White House policy briefing with President Obama and senior administration officials on national disability inclusion initiatives.