Just Ground – 2021 – present
Dedicated to advancing the visions of communities working to address corporate activity that threatens or violates their human rights. Latest projects are listed here.
International Women’s Initiative– 2018 – 2020
Mentored a diverse, remote team of researchers addressing women’s rights in a variety of contexts, advised on strategic planning and development of IWI’s theory of change, and co-authored a report to the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights on applying a gender lens to the UN Guiding Principles.
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) – 2018
Drafted legal memos on issues surrounding campaign finance, anti-corruption law and the Mueller investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
Pacific Northwest Chapter of the International Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines – 2018
Strategic research identifying current U.S. funding streams for military aid to the Philippines and potential avenues for human rights advocacy on that issue.
Portland Chapter of the National Lawyers Guild – 2006- 2017
Presented policy analysis to Portland City Council on key issues related to police accountability, supervised law students assisting individuals with police complaints before the civilian police review board.
Oregon Justice Resource Center Amicus Committee – 2014 – 2017
Co-authored the following briefs for the Amicus Committee, which provides amicus assistance on cases that present significant social justice issues:
- State v. Barrett – Addressing prosecution of Portland’s Anti-Camping Ordinance as a violation of the Eighth Amendment prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment, the Convention Against Torture (CAT) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
- State v. Jiminez – Regarding the circumstances in which officers may question individuals about the possession of weapons as part of a routine traffic stop.
- Cunio v. Premo – Challenging a juvenile’s life sentence as a violation of the Eighth Amendment prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment.
- State v. Delong – Regarding the right to remain silent and requirements for a knowing and voluntary waiver of that right.
Albina Ministerial Alliance Coalition for Justice and Police Reform – 2013 – 2017
Represented grassroots organization as amicus in litigation brought by the U.S. Department of Justice against the City of Portland for use of excessive force against people with mental illness.
EarthRights International – 2010-2011
Trained representatives from countries in the Mekong River region on report writing, organizational development and international human rights law; co-authored two reports documenting human rights violations connected to foreign investment in oil and gas projects in Myanmar (Burma).
Occupy Portland – 2011
Wrote a legal memo analyzing First Amendment protection for public encampment as a form of protest and worked with a team of lawyers to support individuals camping in public parks as part of the Occupy Wall Street movement.
Working Families Party of Oregon – 2010, 2018
Prepared legislative legal briefings on legal issues associated with formation of a state-owned bank.