I'm a lawyer by profession, but I've also been a publishing professional, freelance writer, instructor, and all-around start-up company team player. I am moving from Chicago to Murphysboro, IL, and seeking to apply my skills and talents in doing the Lord's work, working for and with like-minded individuals. As a practicing Catholic, I want both my work and my work environment to align with my values and interests. As Catholics, we have many opportunities to help others through so many outlets, ministries, and callings. I'm open to remote, hybrid, and in-person work.
attorney
Jun 2019 - Present
Office of the Public Guardian of Cook County
- Managing a caseload of ~100 representing at-risk, abused, and exploited minors in child protection court, mediations, and administrative hearings as attorney and guardian ad litem
- Successfully arguing for a contempt finding against DCFS for a client left without proper placement
- Winning approximately 120 adjudicatory and termination of parental rights trials and temporary custody hearings both in person and virtually
- Co-authored winning appellate response brief for In re: V.S., 2023 IL App (1st) 220817.
- Co-authored an in-house attorney practice guide for the Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children
- Training new and experienced attorneys in the application of the Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children
law clerk
Aug 2018 - Jun 2019
Daniel P. Costello & Associates, PC
- Drafted winning motions for summary judgment for the insured in negligence cases where there was no duty to act by operation of law or under a reasonable standard of care
- Drafted winning dispositive 615, 619, and 621(b) motions and replies in support of those motions
- Carefully crafting interrogatory and deposition questions leading to successful motions to dismiss
freelancer legal writer, ghostwriting
Jan 2016 - Present
- Turned a side hustle in 1L into a main source of income through law school via short- and long-term writing contracts with agencies, law firms, and lawyers across the United States
- Weaved keywords seamlessly into literature to increase SEO, clickthrough rates, customer inquiries and referrals from other law firms for various national law firms
tutor
May 2014 - Sep 2015
Nuturing Wisdom Tutoring
- Leading students to receive scores in the 97-99% percentile on real ACTs
- Achieved for students an average score increase of 5 composite points on ACTs
ESL teacher/curriculim developer
Jan 2012 - Dec 2013
Kangnampoly Institute/Kangnampride Institute
- Custom-created and edited ESL teaching materials for ESL teachers of students returning from the Anglosphere and continuing their language studies in Seoul, South Korea
- Improved the speaking, reading comprehension, and grammar skills of ESL students from ages 6-12
ESL teacher
Jul 2010 - Sep 2011
LCI Academy
- Perfected the fluency and literacy of kindergarten and elementary-school aged ESL students, increasing the average written and spelling test scores by 2-15% in Seoul, South Korea
- Planned and executed a graduation performance for an audience of 100+
- Created custom teaching materials and substituted for other teachers as needed
Circulation Fulfillment Manager
May 2005 - Jun 2009
The Nation Company, L.P.
- Member of a small circulation team at a high-profile, award-winning magazine, with circulation increase of 12% by 2009 while other similar titles were seeing a drop in circulation
Juris Doctor
Aug 2015 - May 2018
Loyola University Chicago School of Law
Bachelor of Arts
Jan 2003 - Jan 2005
Rutgers University