I care deeply about the work of the MLFA. Many people can pinpoint a singular event that either defined or transformed their career trajectories. To this day, I recall being so moved by the horrors that were unfolding on the people of Bosnia and Rwanda in the early 1990’s that the only way forward for me was a dedicated hand in alleviating the plight of those who have been oppressed. True to my commitment, nearly every career endeavor I have pursued is motivated by the desire to find solutions in the law for people who have suffered tremendous harm. It goes without saying that I hold the work of MLFA in the highest regard as it seeks to mitigate the terrible harms of discrimination and violence.
Not only do I believe in the work of the MLFA, I believe in my ability to contribute something of some significance. I hope to offer it an authentic and estimable knowledge base and skill set based on my defining work and life experiences. My work experiences encompass professional hybrid experience as a prosecutor, a public defender and United States Immigration Judge. I have served respectfully in the courtroom for a tenure of over two decades. The depth of knowledge and experience I have gained is married to an abiding belief in the value of service and sacrifice. Every “job” has been so much more than just a rung on the proverbial ladder; it has been an opportunity to be an instrument of use and to serve others. Therefore, I also offer the MLFA my integrity and conviction.
I believe this type of work can only be done by people who care and people who have courage. I recognize that, ironically, I can afford to care and be courageous only as a result of privilege. Therefore, when I struggle with the inequities of privilege, I remind myself to turn my struggle into an engagement with the people and issues that matter to me. I take great pride in regularly contributing to humanitarian causes for those who hunger or are not fed; those who live in, or flee from, war-torn regions; those who suffer violence or struggle with their mental health. The MLFA is a place where several of these causes converge and I may continue to engage with, and contribute to, human services issues.
Finally, the work is done through human connection and inspiration – whether among survivors, legal teams, or like-minded advocacy organizations — and this speaks to me because I love getting to know people and understanding their histories and motivations. I am fascinated in my interactions, and I have been a person others connect with, trust, and seek counsel from.
