I am a committed legal professional with specialized expertise in public international law. I am also an experienced United States litigator with many years of Federal and State courtroom experience. I hold advanced degrees from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law and Harvard Divinity School. In 2024, I earned an LL.M. in International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law from American University’s Washington College of Law. My current research centers on nationality, statelessness, and migration within the broader context of public international law.
I conduct thorough research into legal, historical, and sociological issues, providing well-grounded legal information and advice in clear, accessible language. I believe the law should serve as a pathway to justice. To further this aim, I use online campaigns and a range of communication tools to advocate for policies that promote human dignity.
Master of Laws (LL.M.)
American University, Washington College of Law - Washington, DC
2023 - 2024
Master of Theological Studies
Harvard Divinity School - Cambridge, Massachusetts
2004 - 2007
During my years at Harvard Divinity School, I focused my research on comparative religious ethics and engaged in coursework on the topics of ethics, social justice, philosophy of religion, and phenomenology. This work culminated in the publication of a research paper on the influence of religious organizations on the opinions of the Supreme Court of the United States through the practice of filing “friend of the court” legal position arguments.
Juris Doctor
University of California Berkeley, School of Law - Berkeley, California
1991 - 1994
At the University of California Berkeley, School of Law, I studied public international law. I was awarded the Jurisprudence Awards, representing the highest achievement in the course, in Public International Law, Advanced International Law, International Business Transactions, and Refugee Law. As a result of this coursework and research, I received a scholarship to attend the Hague Academy of International Law in 1993.
My research was guided by my mentor Professor David D. Caron, the C. William Maxeiner Distinguished Professor of Law. Professor Caron was a member of the Iran Claims Tribunal and a leader in international peace, environmental cooperation, and arbitral proceedings.
In 1993 and 1994, I received a grant from the Ford Foundation to research and publish on the Antarctic Treaty System. This resulted in a monograph published by the University of California and an article in the legal journal Ecology Law Quarterly.
Bachelor of Arts in Religion, Political Science and History
Trinity Univeristy - San Antonio, Texas
1987 - 1991
At American University, Washington College of Law, I focused on international human rights and humanitarian law. The intensive program included study of human rights, immigration law, economic, social and cultural rights, women’s rights in international law, the United Nations system, and humanitarian law. It was a privilege to study under the guidance of the outstanding faculty at the Academy on International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law.
At Trinity University, I obtained sufficient credit to receive Bacholor of Art degrees in Religion, Political Science, and History. I also served as President of the student governance and advisory association, called the Student Association.
I was honored to receive Presidential Scholarships based on academic performance in each of the years 1987-1991. In 1991, I was selected for the Ethel Evans Department of Religion Award, recognizing the most outstanding scholarship in the department.
My professional career included seven years at the Los Angeles law firm of O’Melveny & Myers LLP and fifteen years providing legal services through my own law firm. I also managed the Law & Neuroscience Project, funded by the MacArthur Foundation.
Massachusetts Bar Board of Bar Overseers No. 662098.