J.D.
Professional Summary
Professional info
At the age of 18, unsure of who I was or what I wanted, I chose military service hoping to gain training and experience, while earning the GI Bill and seeing the world. I then spent four years in the US Navy Submarine Fleet as an Electronics Technician specializing in navigation for 3 years, and as a Master-at-arms (naval military police) for 1 year. My time in the military provided me with technical training, extensive leadership experience, and the kind of personal versatility only military life can instill.
After being honorably discharged, I went home to my wife and daughter in Upstate NY, graduating with honors a year early with a BS in Interdisciplinary Studies: Social Science and Legal Studies. I also worked with SUNY and the Dept. of VA as a campus Veterans Rep providing transition services and community outreach. I also worked at a local hospital providing mental health and crisis Intervention services for adult and adolescent psychiatric patients. Winning national, state, and local awards and scholarships for academic achievement, professional excellence, and community service along the way.
In my senior year, a mentor convinced me to pursue my Juris Doctorate, and soon after my wife accepted a job offer in Charlotte, NC resulting in my enrollment at Charlotte School of Law. Now at the end of my 3L year, I have litigated for a Homeless Prevention Clinic; volunteered with local community service and advocacy groups; currently intern with Criminal Justice Services: Forensic Evaluation Unit; and teach pre-law students at a local university under the supervision of licensed attorney and seasoned professor. This summer I will graduate with my JD after studying comparative, commercial, and human rights law abroad in Vilnuis, Lithuania, and look forward to entering legal community after the Bar exam in February, while continuing to dedicate my skills and passion to community service and the administration of justice.
Education
Charlotte School of Law, Charlotte, NC
Juris Doctor Candidate, May 2016
Honors: CSL Merit Scholarship
Activities: Homeless Prevention Clinic; Forensic Evaluation Unit Externship; Advanced Legal Studies-Student Instructor at JCSU; Military Advocacy Law Society/Student Veterans of America-CSL Chapter; Scholarship Essay Contest Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard, P.C., and Secular Student Alliance.
Sage College of Albany, Albany, NY
2012 - 2013
Bachelor of Science Law & Society Interdisciplinary Studies: Social Science Research & Analysis and Legal Studies
Graduated with Honors
Honors: President's & Dean's List (multiple semesters), Honors Transfer Scholarship, Academic Excellence Grant, Looseleaf Law Publications Award, 3rd Place in The Writing & Contemporary Thought Annual Writing Contest 2013 for "Sailor's Creed" a short-story submission.
Activities: Tutor, Student Volunteers Group Leader Spring 2013.
SUNY-SCCC, Schenectady, NY
2010 - 2011
Associate in Science Human Services, Minor in Criminal Justice
Graduated with High Honors
Honors: President's & Dean's List (multiple semesters), SUNY Chancellor's Award 2012, Who's Who Among American Colleges & Universities 2012, SUNY Award for Excellence & Achievement, SCCC Key Member for Excellence, Dr. Alexander T. Demarco Scholarship, Robert Becker Jr. Veterans Scholarship, Navy-Marine Corps Society Award for Excellence.
Activities: Student Veterans of America President, Student Activities Board President, Student Government Senator, Student Volunteers Organization, Tutor, Note-taker for students with disabilities.
http://www.timesunion.com/business/article/Private-sector-jobs-growing-in-Capital-Region-2154947.php
2010 - present
2010 - present
Professional Experience
Forensic Evaluation Unit, Charlotte-Mecklenburg County, NC
Field Intern
Primary source research compiling case data for the construction of a cross-referencing database.
Homeless Prevention Clinic, CSL-LANC Partnership, Charlotte, NC
Student Attorney
Support initiatives relevant to local issues of homelessness of Legal Aid of North Carolina-Charlotte Office and Charlotte School of Law Partnership program with a major focus on issues pertaining to the Fair Housing Act, landlord/tenant disputes, HUD and Section 8 housing, and City of Charlotte Housing Codes. Duties include: client interviews; intake processing; counseling; evidence collection; home visits and property inspections; document drafting; legal research; litigation and trial preparation; court appearances; damages assessments; negotiations; and referral services.
Ellis Medicine, Schenectady, NY
Mental Health Assistant, Adult/Adolescent In-patient Psychiatric Treatment
Provided crisis intervention, group, and individual counseling services for psychiatric patients. Assisted with the implementation and facilitation of medical, therapeutic, and behavioral treatment plans. Maintained patient electronic (Kronos) and hard-copy records.
Dept. of Veterans Affairs, SUNY-SCCC, Schenectady, NY
Veterans Service Representative
Designed and implemented a novel college campus veterans service office to assist transitioning service members from active duty to civilian service. Provided academic, career, financial, mental, and veterans benefits counseling services. Conducted community outreach that culminated in a cooperative interdisciplinary network with various military and veteran oriented organizations designed to provide a new versatile community service. Assisted the registrar's office in recording and facilitating veterans education benefits.
U.S. Navy, Groton, CT
3rd Class Petty Officer, Honorably Discharged
Served aboard the USS Miami-SSN 755 for the three years as an Electronics Technician specializing in navigation. Duties included: ship piloting as Helmsman, Planesman, and Lookout; atmosphere mointoring through mass spectrometer; electronics maintenance and troubleshooting of interior communications systems, navigation systems, and battery storage systems; fire and damage control; shipboard security; small arms qualifications (9mm, 12 gauge shotgun, M16A3, and MK-43); and TS-SCI security clearance.
Served over a year with Naval Submarine Support Center Master-at-Arms (naval military police) Transient Division. Duties included: monitoring restricted personnel and military prisoners; designing and implementing public works and rehabilitative programs; and other law enforcement duties and support services as needed.
January, 2005, taken one week before graduation of Recruit Training Command School in Great Lakes, IL.