Professional Experience

Prior to opening my own practice, I was an Associate Attorney with Ice Miller LLP, for five years. As the most senior Associate in the labor and employment section, I represented clients on all employer compliance issues and labor relations. I defended clients against employment discrimination claims in State and Federal Courts, before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and in mediations/arbitrations. I was recognized for my work in appellate advocacy, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and accessibility issues. I advised clients on Fair Labor Standards Act issues and appropriate compensation plans, performed company-wide wage law compliance audits, defended wage and hour claims, and prepared employment contracts and policies. I was a frequent presenter and resource to clients on recruiting issues and in maintaining a diverse workforce. I continue to provide all of these services to my current small business, organization, and education clients.

Immediately following law school, I was appointed to a two-year judicial clerkship. My first year was with Chief Judge Brook, with the Indiana Court of Appeals. My second year was with Chief Justice Shepard, with the Indiana Supreme Court. My responsibilities included researching issues for the Judges, drafting legal opinions, and assisting the Judges with special projects. It was a rewarding and educational experience.

During law school, I spent both of my summers as a legal intern. My first internship was with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, where I performed research and drafted memoranda pertaining to religious, sexual, race, and age discrimination. I continue to rely on this experience to further my employment law practice. My second internship was with the Indiana Department of Education, where I drafted memoranda regarding the admissibility of hearsay evidence and mediation results in administrative hearings and developed a searchable legal database of hearing decisions.

Prior to law school, I spent two years with the Indiana Department of Education and two years lobbying the Indiana general Assembly. I worked closely with local school districts and numerous non-profit organizations. My work included grant management for the Department of Education, drafting special education regulations, authoring a due process hearing handbook for parents of students in special education, and advocating for improved access to healthcare and social services.

Presentations and Articles

The Indiana Legal Conclave on the Future of Legal Education and the Profession
Invitee 2010; and presenter on diversity in the legal profession 2015

Indiana State Bar Association: Annual meeting
Presenter on ADA amendments 2010; Presenter on service animals in the workplace 2015; Planning Committee for Disability in a Diverse Legal Community, a 5-hour presentation and CLE 2014

Indiana University, Indiana Institute on Disability and Community
Keynote speaker for annual meeting on fostering diversity within an institutional framework, 2014

• Time to Revisit Your Workplace Violence Policy What Can Be Deducted from Gross Wages? What are Wages?
• The Timing of Wages
• Social Networking and the Workplace
• Bullies are not just for Playgrounds Anymore
• If I only had an Intern: Ever wanted to hire a Summer Intern? Protections for Nursing Mothers at the Workplace
• Federal Law Prohibits Discrimination Based on Genetic Information References available

Education

I graduated from Indianapolis’s North Central High School where I was an honor student. During high school, I was active in student government, wrestling, choir, and social clubs.

For my undergraduate studies, I chose to attend Earlham College, for its small class size and commitment to academics. I earned my Bachelor’s of Arts, receiving my major in International Studies and a minor in German. My concentration was in economics, which provided a sound foundation for my current understanding of investment strategies, financial principles, and business matters. I was accepted to study in Berlin, Germany and Vienna, Austria, where I focused on the German language and international economics. Later, Earlham faculty honored me with the Outstanding International Studies
Student Award. I continued my love for music by participating in the Earlham College Concert Choir all four years.

Following four years of a career in politics and advocacy, I decided to return to school, to obtain my J.D. I graduated from Indiana University Maurer School of Law, in Bloomington. When asked why I decided to attend law school, I simply say that I grew tired of preceding all of my opinions by saying “I am not an attorney, but …” During law school, I participated in the Moot Court Competition, was active in many fund raising activities, and interned for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Indiana Department of Education. I was admitted to the London Law Consortium Program, a six-month study in London, England for a select number of American law students. My fellow classmates also elected me as the student graduation speaker.

Activities And Accomplishments

Admitted to practice Law (2002)
State of Indiana; Seventh Circuit Appellate Court; Indiana Southern and Northern District Courts.

Indiana State Bar Association
member from 2002 to present; Secretary of Board of Governors 2014–2015; Member of Membership and Benefits Committee 2012—2017; Chair of Outreach and Inclusion Subcommittee 2015—2016; Indiana Docs Committee 2014—Present; and regular developer of and presenter of CLEs for Association events.

Public Policy Mediation Training Course, Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law
Completed 40-hour Civil Mediator Certification 2013

Indiana State Bar Association: Business School for Lawyers, Butler University
Completed 40-hour course work 2015

Indiana University, Maurer School of Law
Practitioner in Residence, 2014—Present; Lecturing on employment discrimination, diversity, and issue-based advocacy; Serve as mentor to law students.

U.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana
Member of Local Rules Advisory Committee 2009—present

Indiana Supreme Court Administration
Member of the ADA Implementation Committee 2014—Present

Earlham College
Member of Alumni Council 2016—2018

Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Member of Board of Directors (2009—Present); Board Chair (2013); Graduation Speaker (2014).

American Inn of Court
Member of Indianapolis chapter 2004–2005

Encore Vocal Arts
Member of Board of Directors 2005—2010

Indiana Protection and Advocacy
Commission member 2010–2013

CPS Institute, Buffalo, New York
Trained in mediation and problem solving 1998