Resume

EDUCATION

University of Maine School of Law, Portland, Maine.  J.D., May 1998.  Magna cum laude.  Maine Law Review, Articles Editor. Graduation awards:  Law Alumni Association Award for Outstanding Contribution to School, Student Bar Association Award for Distinguished Service, Legal Writing Award, Performance in Evidence Award. 

Bowdoin College, Brunswick, Maine.  B.A. in Economics and Government, May 1993. Cum laude.  Dean's List.

SELECTED EXPERIENCE

Seven Tree Solutions, LLC,Principal, Union, Maine, May 2005 – present

Mediator.  Conduct mediations for Maine Human Rights Commission, Maine Department of Education, Maine court system (Small Claims Court, Landlord/Tenant, Superior Court, and Foreclosure Diversion Program), and private parties.  Received grant in 2012 to assist Maine Human Rights Commission in developing a mediation program for discrimination cases and conducted pilot mediations for one year prior to the implementation of a full roster of mediators.  2006 - present.

Neutral Member, Fact Finding Panel, Maine Labor Relations Board.  Chair panels that assist parties in labor negotiations by issuing recommendations on contract provisions in dispute.  2018 - present.

Arbitrator.  Arbitrate labor and employee disputes for public and private sector employees as well as private parties.  2009 - present.

Administrative Hearing Officer.  Preside over administrative hearings and issue decisions or recommended decisions for the Maine Public Employees Retirement System, the licensing and affiliated boards of the Maine Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, the Maine Department of Public Safety, the Maine State Police, the Maine Criminal Justice Academy, and Maine Housing. 2005 - present.

Independent Investigator.  Conduct independent investigations for municipal, educational, and private organizations.  2013 - present.

Alternate Chair, Maine Board of Arbitration and Conciliation.  Chaired arbitration panel and issued decisions in labor disputes.  2009 to 2018.

Adjunct Professor of Public Policy and Advocacy.  Taught public policy and advocacy course to college students enrolled at University of Maine at Augusta.  Fall 2012.

Policy Fellow, Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center.  Secured grant for seed money to create Maine NEW Leadership program; co-directed Maine NEW Leadership program, conducted research, and drafted grants on public policy projects. 2009 - 2015.

Guardian ad Litem. Served as Guardian ad Litem for children involved in parental custody actions or child protective matters. 2007 - 2010.

United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, Portland, Maine

Law Clerk for Senior Judge Frank M. Coffin.  Analyzed appellate briefs, engaged Judge and co-clerk in case discussions, attended oral arguments, prepared draft opinions, edited others’ draft opinions, and participated in Judge's public interest projects.  August 1999 – August 2000; September 2002 – September 2003.

Maine Equal Justice Partners, Augusta, Maine

Skadden Fellow.  Selected as one of twenty-seven two-year Fellows in the country that year, the only Fellow ever be selected from the University of Maine School of Law.  Researched and analyzed legal issues and advocated for improvements in  public policies impacting low-income families.  Represented individuals in due process hearings and before the Superior Court.   August 2000 – August 2002.

Maine Supreme Judicial Court, Augusta, Maine

Law Clerk for Chief Justice Daniel E. Wathen.  Researched and analyzed appellate issues in written memoranda, attended oral arguments, prepared draft opinions, and assisted with speech and writing projects.  August 1998 - August 1999.

University of Maine School of Law, Portland, Maine

Legal Writing Instructor.  Orchestrated legal research, writing, and oral advocacy class for twenty first-year students: led weekly classes, commented on assignments, met with students, coordinated moot court experience, and evaluated students for grading purposes.  Fall 1997 - Spring 1998.

Research Assistant.  Conducted research  for Professor Jennifer Wriggins' articles on lead paint poisoning tort claims and constitutionality of same-sex marriage statute.  Provided editorial support.  Fall 1996 - Spring 1998.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS/MEMBERSHIPS

Maine Association of Mediators.  President, Board of Trustees, 2018 - 2020; Vice President, 2020 - present;  Member, 2017 - present.

Labor and Employment Relations Association - Maine.  Member, Board of Directors.  2019 - present.  Member of National Labor and Employment Relations Association, 2020 - present.

Maine Bar Association.  ADR, Labor and Employment, and Elder Law Sections.

Knox County Bar Association.  Member.  2010 - present.

SELECTED ADR TRAINING, SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS, AND ARTICLES

Trainer: "Conducting Remote Videoconference Mediation."  Maine Association of Mediators (2020).

Trainer:  "Private Mediation Agreements and Insurance Considerations."  Maine Association of Mediators (2020). 

Article:  "If You Want to Revive Civility, Choose Mediation over Litigation."  Co-authored with Peter Schroeter, Esq.: Maine Town and City (2019).

Speaker.  "ADR Marketing."  Maine Association of Mediators: ADR Marketing (2018).

Article:  "Mediation Practice Tips."  Maine Lawyers Review (2018).

Speaker: "Ask The Arbitrator."  Labor and Employment Relations Association - Maine (2018).

Speaker: "Conducting Administrative Due Process Hearings."  Maine Board of Licensure in Medicine, Maine Board of Dental Examiners, and Maine Board of Licensure of Professional Engineers (presented multiple times from 2014 to the present).

SELECTED COMMUNITY AND LEGAL INVOLVEMENT

Scholarship Committee, Town of Union.  Appointed member, 2019 - present.

Permanent Commission on the Status of Women.  Appointed member, 2014 - 2016.

Maine Women’s Policy Center.  Chair, Board of Directors, 2013-2015. Member, 2009 - 2015.

Georges River Land Trust.  Volunteer, Union Town Committee, 2011 - 2013.

Vose Library Capital Campaign.  Member, 2004 - 2009.  Assisted with writing grants and fundraising for new library.

Midcoast Leadership Academy.  Participant in inaugural leadership class of this program designed to be a regional leadership training.  Fall 2006 - Spring 2007.

Attorney General Working Group.  Member, 2005 - 2006.  Served on this committee to make recommendations to State Legislature regarding aggravated sentencing factors for crimes against homeless victims.

University of Maine School of Law Alumni Association.  Board of Directors, 2001 - 2004.  Co-chair, Student and Alumni Relations Committee, 2003 - 2004.

Family Law Advisory Commission.  Member, 2000 - 2002.  Appointed as representative of low-income service providers to take part in this commission charged with drafting and commenting on state legislation regarding family law.  Drafted legislation related to child support procedures.

Muskie Study Commission on Child Care Needs of Low-Income Special Needs Children.  Member, 2000 - 2002.  Took part in this commission study of childcare needs for families caring for special needs children and provided training to commission members on state welfare programs.